Allied Health Services for Children Central Zone West 49th Street Community Health Centre Bay A, 4755
- 49th Street Red Deer, AB, T4N 1T6 Phone: (403) 314-5240 Fax: (403) 314-5230
O.T. Notes
Tips and Strategies from your Occupational Therapist.
Volume 4, Issue 9
May, 2012
How to make a referral to Occupational Therapy:
Teacher to complete
referral package
Visual Perception
Visual perception refers to the ability to understand and interpret what you see. These skills are very important as they are used daily in many school-related activities such as recognizing letters for printing, spelling and reading. Visual perception can develop throughout ones life, however, most development occurs by age 9. There are many simple, yet fun visual perceptual activities that can be implemented into the classroom. See below for some ideas:
Parent to complete
referral package and consent form
School coordinator/
Director of Student Services to ensure all documentation is completed and signed
Play I Spy with your class. You could have students break into small groups or have the whole class guess. Hide objects around the classroom, and see if students can find them without moving from their desks. Try hiding objects related to the daily lesson plan. Allow students to look at search and find books such as I Spy or Wheres Waldo during down time. Have students complete jigsaw puzzles during center time. Older students may enjoy working on larger puzzles during an indoor recess in the winter.
Completed referral
package to be sent to the PRACS Intake Resource Coordinator by mail or fax. *** Services are funded by Student Health Partnerships***
Draw designs, shapes, letters and/or numbers on the white board or SMART board. Erase your design and have students draw it from memory. Increase the difficulty by adding more items or decreasing the time allowed to look at it. Play hangman with students and see if they can guess what the word is before it is finished. Use spelling words for extra practice. Practice directional concepts (i.e. left, right, over, under, in front, behind, etc.) by playing Simon Says. Duplicate small pegboard, geoboard or block designs. See if students
Did You Know?
In-services can be requested and presented at your school! Our therapy team has developed presentations on a variety of topics including:
Its Time to Move! (A Movement Break Idea)
Balloon Volleyball Have students pass balloons back and forth to a partner. This activity requires visual tracking which is very important for activities such as reading, and eye-hand coordination, which is needed for many fine motor activities such as beading and cutting. The students must be able to accurately track the balloon in order to it before it hits the ground. Adapt this activity by having larger groups of students try to keep the balloon in the air as long as possible. Bouncy Ball Chase In a large, open area (i.e. gym) have students bounce small bouncy balls and try to catch them. Start by catching with two hands and then move to one hand as students improve. The bouncier the ball, the move challenging it will be. Similar to the activity above, this will also develop visual tracking and eye hand coordination.
Development of Printing Skills Sensory Processing Skills Development of Fine Motor Skills
Contact the PRACS Intake Coordinator for more information.