Often times as a parent you look at your child and just know they aren't performing quite as well as you would have expected, but you can't quite put your finger on what the issue is.

The Pyramid of Learning above illustrates nicely the importance of  strong foundation skills for success at the higher level tasks, and when one or more of these foundation components are shaky the surface level task performance is below expected or challenging for the child.

Working to strengthen these underlying performance components is the core work of Occupational Therapists.

D is for a Developmental Approach. I is for Individual Differences. R is for Relationship

At North Shore OT we use the DIR framework to guide our therapy interventions, identifying and working with the child's individual strengths and weaknesses, building skill at the just right developmental level and strengthening relationships as the glue that not only supports but truly drives development.

Floortime is the implementation of the DIR approach. It involves getting down on the
floor and working with the child to master each of their developmental capacities. Floortime uses the power of relationships and human connections to promote engagement, communication, positive behaviors, and thinking

We use a sensory integration approach to to enable children with Sensory Processing Disorder to accurately detect, regulate, and interpret sensations, and allow for the execution of appropriate motor and behavioral responses to sensations such that they are able to perform everyday activities in a functional manner. 

We will teach you to understand how sensation is perceived by your child, and how those perceptions affect attention, social and emotional abilities, motor skills, and learning.

We will also work with your child to develop strategies to regulate their attention and arousal so that they can learn, play and socialise easier.

Sensory integration therapy is great fun for children, all whilst changing their neurological pathways for effective results.

North Shore Occupational Therapy's OT is trained in two of the leading auditory therapy programs, Therapeutic Listening and ILS.

Auditory Programs may benefit a wide variety of individuals who exhibit:

• poor attention
• difficulties interacting with peers and limited play skills
• challenges with transitions or changes in routine
• difficulty communicating (both verbal and non-verbal)
• struggles with sleep, bowel and bladder control, and eating
• trouble following directions
  challenges perceiving and navigating space
• poor timing and sequencing of motor skills
• difficulties with irritability, mood
• difficulties with regulating their energy level (i.e. too low arousal or hyperactive)
• postural insecurity (fear of heights, playing on playground equipment)
• abnormal responses to various sensory stimuli (sounds, touch, taste, pain)
• poor praxis and motor planning: coming up with an idea, planning, and completing the task
• difficulty responding to sounds and verbal directions,
• and more!

Observing a child in their day care, preschool and school environments helps to develop a fuller picture of how a child is functioning across different environments. Partnering with carers and teachers to share information and strategies can really support a child to succeed in all their day-to-day activities and allow the child to learn and grow and gain the most from each setting.