Speech Therapy may also work with an infant with medical conditions who has reduced muscle tone, and pushes table food out with her tongue, interfering with feeding. Board and computer games reinforce skills learning for older children. OT focuses on fine motor skills, such as picking things up with your fingers, buttoning buttons, tying shoes, holding a pencil and getting stronger in your hands. OT also works with Sensory Integration which relates to a child's ability to process and respond effectively to sensory input from all around, such as touch, movement, sounds, sight, tastes and smells. Some children may insist on certain clothing or eat foods of only certain colors or textures, which can be a sign of a sensory disorder.
Sensory disorders can impact their ability to learn and interact with their peers and teachers.
OT provides ways to teach children to regulate themselves and more effectively respond to their environment. Physical therapists work on exercises to help children strengthen and stretch their bodies so they can be as independent as possible. Physical therapists work on strengthening so the infants can learn to pull themselves up, cruise around furniture, and eventually walk. They also help some children who need adaptive equipment such as a splint, walker or wheelchair to help them get around at home, school and community. Sometimes teenagers may experience sports-related injuries.