Occupational Therapy: Empowering Independence!

Aqib is 9 year old child, who was admitted in Hope for Life Foundation and presented with Sensory Integration dysfunction. As an OT, what I found in my screening process was that he had sensory processing difficulty, (tactile defensiveness or touch sensitivity) along with vestibular hypersensitivity and proprioception issues. I started occupational therapy sessions with Aqib in the month of January 2023.
In the beginning Aqib looked upset or anxious with light touch and also showed discomfort on unfamiliar touch. He used to be reluctant to let anyone close to him and didn’t like any one sitting or standing close to him. Along with that he also showed a repulsive response on application of lotion on hands and feet as part of therapy.
With fear of changing position or to move on dynamic or uneven surfaces he showed an aversive reaction and experienced gravitational insecurity and equilibrium issues. Having much difficulty in processing proprioceptive input, he constantly needed commands and motivation to engage in activities. With minimal interest in performing any task Aqib preferred leaning down on things ad avoiding activities of jumping, running while also having difficulty in fine motor skills too. Showing a clumsy behavior the child had poor coordination in gross motor skills like throwing and catching a ball. More to that he had issues in spatial orientation, which provoked issues with assessing his distance with objects and space around him.
After the application of sensory integration techniques and strategies, Aqib started showing wonderful progress. After few months of Occupational therapy he is able to hold the pencil functionally and can feed himself by finger feed. Shows much participation in hand functional activities. When it comes to participation in group activities, he tries to take his best part but needs more verbal cues to be actively engaged. Now Aqib can swing in sitting and standing position, climb stairs up and down, without the fear of falling and physical prompt. He is able to walk on balance beam, as well as stand and twist his body on a twister. He can now also catch and throw a ball, with verbal instructions, he can put on and take off socks and shoes as well. He is now taken into group therapy which includes small group of fine motor and play skills group. This is done to improve and enhance his participation with others and focus to regulate and prepare him for activities throughout the day.
This is just the beginning, Aqib’s progress has to go a long way and he has to conquer a huge world of accomplishment for skills and capabilities to enhance life.

Nazia Jaffery
Senior Occupational Therapist