This information pertains solely to our practice at Pediatric Building Blocks. 

What is A Motor Program?

Most people do not know what Occupational Therapy (OT) is or how it is done.

 OT is defined as:

 The therapeutic use of self-care, work and play activities to increase independent function, enhance development and prevent disabilities, and may include adaptation of task or environment to achieve maximum independence and to enhance quality of life.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA),

 An OT is trained to treat clients holistically, addressing their cognitive, emotional, and physical needs through functional, activity-based treatment.  Therapy is based on knowledge of neurology, kinesiology, development, medical diagnosis, and current research.

Sensory Integration International (SII.)

¨       The Pediatric Building Blocks -Sensory Motor Program

 ¨       This specific program was developed over several years by Pediatric Building Blocks in conjunction with staff from several school districts.  There are similar programs designed by various professionals and service groups.  The information in this document pertains solely to our program. 

 ¨       The philosophy and original intent behind the program was to serve pre-school children who could benefit from OT activities, but did not qualify for therapy services.  It is effective for Special needs students but designed to provide OT support within the academic setting, and can be used in general education curriculum.

 ¨       This program was designed to be used in weekly or daily curriculum by classroom staff.  It provides sensory processing activities that organize and enhance a child’s skill development, fine motor, gross motor, and oral motor activities, to assist development and promote general health. It is used with maximum adult to child ratio of 1/5 Pre-K, 1/8 K-6.  All children are encouraged to participate with the assistance of the OT, teachers, classroom aides and volunteers (staff participation is mandatory.) 

¨         Components of the motor program are: 

¨       Staff preparation, training, and consultation

¨       A weekly visit from the Occupational Therapist

¨       activities for classroom curriculum

¨       recommendations for classroom equipment

¨       student participation and socialization

¨       Parent education

Many of these activities can and should be used at home for additional support and benefit. The utilization of these components and benefit received from them varies by classroom and district. The greater the use, the greater the benefit.

  In the classroom

 This program is divided into three specific areas of focus:

                        Tactile/Oral Motor Focus

The tactile activities in this program include the brushing program, oral motor activities (stimulation, regulation, and respiration) body identification games, self-massage, and tactile textures.  The activities are done in  “circle time” and concentrate on organization of the nervous system and preparation for the next activity.

Gross Motor

These activities are carried out at stations set up around the room.  Children are participating in an activity or on their way to an activity. Activities focus on gross motor development, vestibular and sensory processing, (stimulation of the neurological system) as well as strengthening and stabilizing the trunk and upper body area which is required for support of fine motor activities such as writing.

Fine Motor

This section brings the children back to the circle.  Activities are completed in sitting, kneeling, quadruped and stomach positions, while objects are passed around.  The activities focus on senses (smell, touch, vision etc.) arm and hand development, and hand manipulation/fine motor skills.  This time brings children back to focus, their neurological system is stimulated, organized and working more efficiently.

Benefits

¨       The Motor Program is direct occupational therapy service under Dept. of Education guidelines, when provided and supervised by an Occupational Therapist (OTR). It works on collaborative goals developed by the IEP team, and adheres to the federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates concerning educational relevance, least restrictive environment, support services to staff, and integrated goals and objectives, etc.

¨       The activities are curriculum friendly and when used in the classroom several time’s weekly results in greater benefit from the OT program.  

¨       This program is cost effective, serving more children with greater benefit and less cost, because the staff integrates OT into weekly or daily classroom curriculum. 

¨      Some children, who are resistant to individual pull out therapy, will participate with their peers.

¨      This program serves children who may not warrant individual services but could use some assistance.

¨       This program provides early screening for preschool classrooms by an Occupational Therapist.

¨       Children generally enjoy the program and will participate more fully and frequently.

¨       This program provides information and support to staff and parents.

¨       This program is particularly helpful for autistic children, who have sensory processing difficulties. Most children have noticeable improvements in their tactile processing, motor organization, vocalization and socialization, when participating in the motor program.