Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Illinois
Sensory-motor skills are present in babies and continue to develop throughout childhood. Babies can grasp rattles, respond to different sounds and begin to visually track objects in the first months of life. As a child grows, these beginner skills lead into the further development of fine motor, visual motor and sensory processing skills. They’re the foundation for our ability to interact with and function in the world around us.
In some children, these motor skills may take longer to develop due to a physical or cognitive condition. If you have any concerns about your child’s sensory-motor, fine motor or sensory processing development, you should contact a licensed Occupational Therapist.

Why Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy facilitates sensory-motor and fine motor development, including the following:


Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Additionally, below are some common benchmarks to observe. If any of these benchmarks are not being met, it may be indicative of the need for an evaluation:
1 year
- Pulls off socks and shoes
- Cooperates with dressing (helps to pull off clothing and extends arms and legs to assist with dressing)
- Scribbles on paper
- Stands alone
- Walking (1-2 steps alone)
- Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up small objects
2 years
- Snips with scissors
- Imitates horizontal, vertical lines and circular marks
- Removes elastic waist pants
- Builds at least a 6 block tower
- Pushes, pulls or carries toys while walking (18 months)
3 years
- Cuts straight lines
- Copies vertical, horizontal lines and circles
- Buttons large buttons
- Throws tennis ball 5 to 7 feet overhand with one hand
- Catches large ball thrown from 5 feet away
4 years
- Cuts out a circle
- Zips jacket
- Copies intersecting lines, diagonal lines, simple shapes, some letters and numbers
- Balances on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
5 years
- Prints name from memory
- Colors within the lines
- Draws a person with at least 6 or more different parts
- Cuts out a square
6 years
- Copies letters and numbers
- Skips Independently
- Rides a bicycle independently

Occupational Therapy Can Help Children Who:

Contact Us
Please feel free to reach out to Kids Therapy if you have any questions about your child’s development or if you need further information about occupational therapy.