10 Sep 3 Things That Will Speed Up Your Child’s Progress in Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in helping children develop essential skills for everyday life—whether it’s improving coordination, managing sensory input, or gaining independence with tasks like dressing, feeding, or handwriting. But real progress isn’t made in the therapy room alone. If you’re keen to help your child get the most out of their sessions, here are three key things that can make a real difference.
1. Parent Involvement
Your involvement in the therapy process is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s progress. When parents take an active role—by attending sessions, asking questions, and following through with recommendations—children often make more meaningful and lasting gains. Your occupational therapist can provide practical strategies to use at home as part of your normal routine. Whether it’s making dressing into a game or using a sensory tool before school, small changes at home can have a big impact.
2. Consistent Attendance
Just like learning a new sport or instrument, building skills through OT requires repetition and consistency. Regular attendance helps your child stay on track and build on their progress from week to week. Missing too many sessions can lead to a loss of momentum or even regression, especially for children who thrive on routine. Life gets busy, and occasional cancellations are understandable—but wherever possible, make therapy a consistent part of your weekly schedule. If a session is missed, ask your therapist for a simple activity to keep things going at home.
3. Home Practice
One of the best ways to speed up progress is to practise therapy activities at home. These might include fine motor exercises, core strength tasks, or everyday routines like tying shoelaces or packing a lunchbox. Home practice doesn’t need to be complicated—just 10 to 15 minutes a day of focused activity can make a huge difference. Your therapist can guide you on what to do and how to keep it fun and achievable. The more frequently skills are practised in real-life situations, the more likely they are to stick.
Final Thoughts
Therapy works best when everyone is on the same team. With your involvement, regular attendance, and a little extra practice at home, you can help your child move forward more quickly and confidently. It’s those everyday efforts that really add up over time.