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The pediatrician refers a four-year-old child to occupational therapy for poor coordination, poor balance, motion sickness, distractibility, over-sensitivity, and over-reactiveness to sensory stimuli within the environment.  Prior to conducting a formal standardized occupational therapy assessment, the occupational therapist decides to screen for what retained primitive reflex?

Damien is a 7-month-old baby diagnosed with developmental delay. Damien is receiving occupational therapy in Early Intervention due to concerns related to posture and motor development. What is a “typical” motor skill would you expect a 7-month old baby to have mastered already?

Gross motor skills for balancing on one foot for 4 seconds, catching a ball from 5′, bouncing/dribbling ball with one hand for 1-2x, or jumping down from a step (12″ high) with feet together are skills expected of a child playing at what age?  (Hint: Think of BOT starting age and skills tested).

Mercedes Case Study: Mercedes’ parents stress concerns that she is not participating in music and games like pointing to body parts to the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” like her twin sister. She often sits and appears engrossed in her own activities such as shaking her rattle in supine, or tapping her Vtech musical switch, while seated in her supportive high chair, rather than acknowledging her sister. Mercedes is demonstrating what type of play?

Mercedes Case Study: When you question Mercedes’ mom about how she is exploring her environment, she comments that Mercedes gets around by inching forward while lying on her belly, pivoting, or by rolling (that looks like she plops her body from side to side). Based on this description, how would you classify the age equivalent of Mercedes’ gross motor skills?

Evangeline Case Study: Evangeline has a difficult time moving the bar of soap from the palm of the hand to the fingertips (when using other hand to turn on the water) or from the fingertips back down to the palm of her hand. She frequently drops the dropping bar of soap and takes extra time to complete this task. What is the term for this in-hand manipulation skill (that she is struggling with)?

At what (initial) age does an infant/child typically begin to walk unsupported? 

At what age is a child typically able to ride a tricycle coordinated without support?

An OT is evaluating developmental stages in a ten-month-old baby who is beginning to “cruise” sideward while holding on to the sofa. How would the OT MOST likely describe the child’s development?

Austin McNeece ALWAYS strives for excellence and maintains HIGH EXPECTATIONS in all that she does.  (Even on Biology Exams!)