When does a 3–12 year old child need occupational therapy?

According to the American Association of Occupational Therapists, consider seeking an
evaluation if your child exhibits a combination of the following difficulties:

• There is an evident delay in speech and language development.
• Their speech is slurred, and they struggle to articulate properly.
• They avoid playing with toys appropriate for their age.
• They frequently break their toys.
• They have trouble making friends their own age and prefer interactions with younger or older children.
• They display low self-confidence.
• They are hyperactive.
• They struggle with concentration or become overly fixated on one activity, making it challenging to switch to another.
• They are too passive, excessively quiet, and withdrawn.
• They have trouble sleeping.
• They struggle with eating, either soiling themselves excessively or avoiding basic foods.
• They have difficulty taking care of themselves.
• They dislike activities such as baths, nail clipping, or hair cutting.
• They resist hugs.
• They are highly sensitive to smells, tastes, noises, or touch.
• They exhibit decreased muscle tone, appearing weak.
• They are clumsy in their body movements.
• They easily fall, whether on others or furniture.
• They may hit others easily due to challenges in gauging their body’s position in space.
• They dislike activities such as jumping or swinging.
• They avoid the playground.
• They require more practice than other children to learn new things.
• They struggle with activities like drawing within lines, completing puzzles, and cutting with scissors.
• They reverse letters and numbers, leaving no space between letters and words when writing.
• Their handwriting is notably poor.
• They become easily fatigued during schoolwork.
• They have difficulty following verbal instructions.

Source: American Occupational Therapy Association