Pediatric OT Foundations
During circle time, a 2‑year‑old repeatedly loses balance while sitting and frequently leans on peers. The OT explains that a reflex may still be influencing posture. What reflex is likely still present?
What is the Moro reflex?
A 7‑year‑old has difficulty organizing materials, frequently drops items, and becomes frustrated during multi‑step motor tasks like tying shoes. Strength is normal, but motor planning is inconsistent. Which condition best explains this pattern?
What is Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)? (Also acceptable: dyspraxia)
A preschooler plays beside peers during block time but does not share materials or engage socially. The teacher asks whether this is typical. The OTA explains this is an expected stage of social development. What stage of play is the child demonstrating?
What is parallel play?
During a treatment session, a child demonstrates improved attention when using a visual timer. In the SOAP note, the OTA needs to describe how the child responded to the intervention. Which part of the SOAP note does this belong in?
What is the Assessment section?
A 10‑month‑old in early intervention is able to sit independently but struggles to transition into quadruped. The OTA wants to encourage a milestone that builds core strength and bilateral coordination. Which milestone is the OTA targeting?
What is creeping (hands‑and‑knees crawling)?
A toddler in early intervention struggles to pick up Cheerios and instead rakes them with the whole hand. The OTA wants to support development of a more refined grasp. What grasp is the OTA aiming to develop?
What is the pincer grasp?
A 10‑year‑old reports hand pain during writing and shows excessive joint flexibility in the fingers. The OTA notices the child stabilizes the pencil with multiple fingers and fatigues quickly. Which condition is most consistent with these symptoms?
What is Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? (Or: generalized joint hypermobility)
A 5‑year‑old with ASD becomes distressed during classroom transitions. The OTA introduces a tool showing pictures of each step in the routine to help the child anticipate what comes next. What strategy is the OTA using?
What are visual schedules?
An OTA observes a child during recess, snack time, and classroom centers to understand how motor and sensory challenges affect daily participation. No formal testing is used. What evaluation method is the OTA using?
What is a naturalistic or ecological observation?
A 6‑year‑old with sensory‑seeking behaviors crashes into furniture before math class and has difficulty staying seated. The OTA creates a plan that includes jumping, wall pushes, and heavy‑work tasks before academic work. What strategy is the OTA implementing?
What is a sensory diet?
A parent reports their 2‑year‑old can remove socks and a hat independently but cannot yet put them on. The OTA documents this as part of the child’s self‑care development. What skill is the child demonstrating?
What is doffing clothing? (Examples: removing socks, pulling off a hat, taking off simple elastic‑waist pants)
During an early‑intervention home visit, the OTA coaches a parent on how to embed fine‑motor practice into snack time and bath routines rather than doing isolated “therapy activities.” Which service model is the OTA using?
What is the Coaching Model in Early Intervention? (Also acceptable: Routines‑Based Intervention)
A 7‑year‑old with ADHD frequently leaves their seat during writing tasks. The OTA recommends a seating option that allows movement while maintaining participation in desk work. What intervention is the OTA recommending?
What is a flexible seating option (e.g., wiggle cushion)?
A goal is written for a 6‑year‑old to “improve fine‑motor strength.” The OTA revises it to focus on the child’s ability to open snack packages during lunch. What type of goal is the OTA creating?
What is a functional, occupation‑based goal?
A 5‑year‑old struggles to pick up small beads during a craft activity. The OTA notices the child cannot shift objects within the hand and must use both hands to reposition items. Which fine‑motor skill is limited?
What is in‑hand manipulation?
A preschooler constantly seeks spinning and jumping activities and becomes dysregulated without movement breaks. The OTA explains this relates to a specific sensory system. Which sensory system is involved?
What is the vestibular system?
A child becomes overwhelmed during art class when touching glue, paint, or textured materials. The OTA provides slow, predictable deep pressure before introducing tactile tasks. Which sensory strategy is being used?
What is deep pressure proprioceptive input for tactile defensiveness?
A kindergartener tires quickly during handwriting and uses a fisted grasp. The OTA selects activities to strengthen hand arches and promote a more mature pencil grasp. Which grasp pattern is the OTA aiming to develop?
What is the dynamic tripod grasp?
A teacher requests OT services for a student who has handwriting difficulties. The OTA must determine whether OT is appropriate by examining how the difficulty affects classroom participation and curriculum access. What requirement is the OTA addressing?
What is educational relevance?
A teacher reports a student is having trouble completing writing assignments. The OTA meets with the teacher to brainstorm ways to embed fine‑motor supports into daily routines without pulling the child out of class. Which school‑based service model is the OTA using?
What is collaborative consultation?
A child referred for handwriting difficulties is assessed using a standardized tool that measures fine motor, gross motor, and visual‑motor skills from birth to age 5. Which assessment is the OTA using?
What is the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS‑2)?
A teacher reports a child is struggling with loud environments, crowded hallways, and busy classroom transitions. The OTA sends home a caregiver questionnaire to understand sensory patterns across settings. Which assessment is the OTA using?
What is the Sensory Profile?
A 3rd‑grade student receives OT services for handwriting and classroom participation. Instead of pulling the child out for therapy, the OTA works directly in the classroom alongside the teacher to embed supports into daily routines. Which service delivery model is being used?
What is integrated classroom therapy (push‑in services)?
A child referred for handwriting struggles has difficulty copying shapes, spacing letters, and coordinating visual information with motor output. The OTA selects an assessment specifically designed to measure visual‑motor integration. Which assessment is the OTA using?
What is the Beery VMI?
A 7‑year‑old knows how to kick a ball but cannot sequence the steps when asked to kick toward a target. The child becomes frustrated and says, “My body won’t do it!” Which motor challenge is the OTA observing?
What is praxis (or dyspraxia)?