There are a lot of online therapy resources and informative websites out there. I wanted to compile a list of the best therapy resources for pediatric occupational therapists. The resources that are in this post are so incredible. They are some of the best occupational therapy resources on the web!
Best Therapy RESOURCES
Each of these items alone is well worth its price tag. From handwriting tools to self-regulation, to functional tasks, these therapy resources have you covered in the way of helping kids meet their maximum potential.
Some of the best handwriting resources for therapists include e-books, bundled occupational therapy worksheets, and tools for addressing underlying skills.
The Handwriting Book- The Handwriting Book is a 62 page digital file written by the team of occupational therapists and physical therapists at Functional Skills for Kids. This book breaks down the functional skill of handwriting into developmental areas. These include developmental progression of pre-writing strokes, fine motor skills, gross motor development, sensory considerations, and visual perceptual skills. Each section includes strategies and tips to improve these underlying areas. Valued at $15.99.
- Strategies to address letter and number formation and reversals
- Ideas for combining handwriting and play
- Activities to practice handwriting skills at home
- Tips and strategies for the reluctant writer
- Tips to improve pencil grip
- Tips for sizing, spacing, and alignment with overall improved legibility
Handwriting Bundle from Your Therapy Source- The Handwriting Bundle includes titles to assist with prewriting skills, letter formation and handwriting practice. When you purchase all the titles together you receive occupational therapy worksheets to address line awareness, pencil control, shapes and pre-writing skills, handwriting stations, action activities, visual perception handwriting practice pages, and a handwriting template and letter guides. Valued at $24.10
Basics of Fine Motor Skills by Growing Hands on Kids- Basics of Fine Motor Skills is a digital resource covering all things fine motor, including an explanation of which fine motor skills are important for fine motor development, plus what fine motor development looks like in children at all age levels.Your go-to-guide for everything fine motor related, it’s the perfect resource for parents, teachers, and therapists. Explore how gross motor, visual-motor, and sensory processing skills affect fine motor development. Plus how to find what fine motor red flags to look for as your child developments. Get activity ideas and suggestions for all the different fine motor skills and also find age-appropriate activities based on your child’s skills and abilities. Your go-to-guide for everything fine motor related, it’s the perfect resource for parents, teachers, and therapists. This is a 70 page PDF/digital resource valued at $15.00.
Animal Theme 10 week Preschool Occupational Therapy Program From Your Kids OT – The 10 week occupational therapy preschool program was created for children 3-5 years old. It was originally designed to be carried out with small groups of children, however could also be used with an individual child. Each week of the program includes activities for the whole body, hands/fingers and tool use. The activities are designed to engage the child in learning through play.
The session plans are organized in themes with each week’s program taking approximately 30 minutes to run. This time will vary according to the number of children participating, the number of times an activity is repeated, whether additional activities are used and the amount of assistance a child might need to participate in an activity. The program may be used for school readiness in the year prior to the commencement of school.
The program outlines developmentally appropriate goals for pre-school age children which may be targeted whilst carrying out this program. These goals include the development of gross motor skills, sensory-motor skills, bilateral coordination skills, visual-motor skills, fine motor skills, hand strength, pencil grasp and control, scissor skills, self-regulation and social skills.
The Scissor Skills Book- The Scissor Skills Book breaks the functional skill of cutting with scissors into several developmental areas including areas listed below. This 81 page resource is valued at $15.99.
- Developmental progression of scissor use
- Fine motor skill involvement
- Gross motor development
- Sensory considerations and
- Visual perceptual skills
- Each section includes strategies and tips to improve these underlying areas.
- Help for kids who struggle with cutting accurately
- Creative tips to keep things interesting for kids who lose interest easily
- Quick, practical strategies that can be put into action today!
- Ideas for kids who cut too fast or too slow
- Support for kids who can’t grasp scissors efficiently
- Strategies for right-handed and left-handed children
The Toilet Training Book- The Toileting Book is a comprehensive resource covering every aspect of toilet training. Written by a team of experienced pediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists with decades of experience, this toilet training resource is packed with information on toilet training readiness and achievement of toileting success. Includes Toilet Training Guides for special populations (children with fine or gross motor needs, behavioral or cognitive challenges, physical disabilities, etc.) including Sensory Processing Disorder, Trauma-Informed Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injuries. This book is valued at $19.99.
- Provides information on interoception and the role this sensory system plays in potty training
- Discusses common toileting equipment and special needs toileting tools
- Includes tips and suggestions for individualized toilet training
The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook- The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook takes the specific and individualized activities that make up a Sensory Diet and transitioning them into a lifestyle of sensory modifications, strategies, and techniques is a Sensory Lifestyle! Whether you are a parent or teacher, this handbook will help you better understand “sensory” and use the recommendations to address sensory needs in a whole new way.
Therapists will find valuable resources to explain sensory processing and transition “what we know” about a child into action plans guided by evidence-based strategies, resources, and guidelines.
Use sensory accommodations, sensory strategies, and sensory routines integrated right into the various tasks within a child’s day in order to navigate kids toward a “just right” state, with better attention, focus, and confidence…using activities based on the child’s strengths, needs, and interests. Valued at $19.99.
Impulse Control Journal- The Impulse Control Journal is your ticket to helping kids manage their impulses, strategize ways to “shift gears”, and learn valuable lessons in self-regulation. This 80 page impulse control journal for kids to keep track of their day. Valued at $16.99.
- 30 Drawing Journal Pages to reflect and pinpoint individual strategies
- 28 Journal Lists so kids can write quick checklists regarding strengths, qualities, supports, areas of need, and insights
- 8 Journaling worksheets to pinpoint coping skills, feelings, emotions, and strategies that work for the individual
- Daily and Weekly tracking sheets for keeping track of tasks and goals
- Mindset,Vision, and Habit pages for helping kids make an impact
- Self-evaluation sheets to self-reflect and identify when inhibition is hard and what choices look like
- Daily tracker pages so your child can keep track of their day
- Task lists to monitor chores and daily tasks so it gets done everyday
- Journal pages to help improve new habits
- Charts and guides for monitoring impulse control so your child can improve their self-confidence
- Strategy journal pages to help kids use self-reflection and self-regulation so they can succeed at home and in the classroom
- Goal sheets for setting goals and working to meet those goals while improving persistence
- Tools for improving mindset to help kids create a set of coping strategies that work for their needs
Sensory Diet Cards- These printable sensory diet cards includes 24 pages of 345 sensory diet activities can be used with any child, based on individual needs and preferences. Valued at $9.99. Use these sensory diet cards in the classroom, clinic, home, or community to address:
- Calming and alerting movement activities
- Heavy work fine motor activities for pre-writing needs or fidgeting needs
- Sensory activities
- Sensory support cards
