Learning by Doing: Toddler Gains New Skills and Independence from Occupational Therapy
Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Daniel is a 3-year-old who’s always on the move—and always moving to a beat. As his mom, Jackie, says, “If he’s not running, he’s drumming!”
Daniel is autistic and nonverbal. When Jackie noticed that he could hold sticks and spoons to drum, but wasn’t holding utensils to feed himself, she knew he needed some support with his self-help skills. These are the everyday skills that help kids become more independent, such as getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and feeding themselves.
Shortly after Daniel’s autism diagnosis through Emory Health in Atlanta, his healthcare team recommended Expressable. Daniel began speech therapy and eventually occupational therapy (OT). That’s when everything changed for him. Through the help of his occupational therapist, strong involvement from Jackie, and Daniel’s growth in trying new things, he’s made incredible progress with his self-care skills—and he’s only going up from here!
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Get startedBranching out to online occupational therapy
Online therapy wasn’t a new concept for Jackie. Daniel’s autism diagnosis had been made via teletherapy, and he’d been doing online speech therapy with Expressable before starting occupational therapy. Even though Jackie knew virtual OT could work, she admits, “I was a little nervous and anxious. I had never done OT before.”
That anxiety quickly faded when Jackie and Daniel met Isayda Bell, M.S., OTR/L, their occupational therapist. Jackie and Isayda’s partnership set Daniel up for success. “Isayda has been fantastic,” Jackie says. “A lot of it has been her educating me on how I can help Daniel, and that’s how I learn. I learn by doing.”
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are key self-care skills. Learn when kids develop them, common delays, and how occupational therapy helps.
Making learning fun
During Daniel’s OT evaluation, Isayda identified that he would benefit from working on self-feeding skills, such as using a fork or spoon to eat instead of his hands. He is also targeting fine motor skills, such as writing with crayons and opening and closing containers to build his independence with daily tasks. Jackie says one of the best pieces of advice she’s gotten from Isayda is how important it is to make learning engaging. She recalls, “Isayda always says, ‘If kids aren’t having fun, they’re not learning.’” Isayda explains, “I knew that in order to get Daniel interested in using utensils, we had to use them in a way that felt like play.” They started by stabbing Play-Doh with a fork, then putting forks in a baby bottle holder, just to practice interacting with the utensil.
Jackie proudly remembers when Daniel ate his first full food item with a fork: string cheese cut into pieces. “That was an exciting day!” she says.
Teamwork fuels virtual OT sessions
Jackie appreciates the parent coaching that’s built into online therapy. During their sessions, she props up the tablet so Isayda can see both her and Daniel, and Isayda helps them work through different activities together.
“This hands-on, guided practice translates to such amazing carryover for clients—where skills learned in therapy ‘carry over’ to everyday life,” Isayda says. “In sessions, they get to practice, and their caregiver learns how to help them. It enables continuous learning between sessions.”
Jackie is committed to helping Daniel practice his new skills at home. It helps that she can use everyday household objects. Isayda explains, “I try to find items that a family already has and use them during therapy sessions. Whether it’s crayons for coloring, or a plastic container to practice opening things, there’s always something in a client's house we can use.”
Benefits of online occupational therapy
There are lots of benefits to doing occupational therapy online. As a busy mom of two, Jackie appreciates that there is no commute. “You don’t have to rush out the door, you don’t have to get everyone ready. You can just be home and relaxed.”
She also notes that because Daniel is autistic, leaving the house for therapy can be challenging. With teletherapy, there are fewer transitions or tasks for him. He can simply walk over to his mom, sit down, and see Isayda on the screen. This helps therapy go more smoothly overall.
You don’t have to rush out the door, you don’t have to get everyone ready. You can just be home and relaxed.
Another benefit to online therapy is that it’s easy for families to be involved. Unlike school- or clinic-based therapy, where caregivers may not be able to join in, with teletherapy parents learn and stay updated alongside their child. It’s also easier to form a partnership with the therapist. And when therapy becomes a team effort, kids make better progress.
Can occupational therapy be done online? Learn how virtual OT works, what the research says, and how OT helps kids build everyday skills at home.
New skills and growing independence
Daniel has grown by leaps and bounds since beginning occupational therapy with Expressable. He is now able to do more self-help tasks, such as feeding himself with utensils and opening and closing containers. Jackie says that these skills have transferred to other areas of his life. She notes that Daniel is now able to play more calmly. He’s better able to understand instructions and interact with other people. His independence is growing every day. “That’s what it’s all about,” Isayda says. “We want our clients to grow in the formal skills we’re targeting in therapy, but when those gains allow them to interact and connect with others, that’s when you know their progress is helping beyond therapy. It’s carrying over into their everyday life.”
Get matched with an occupational therapist
Occupational therapy can help your child gain the skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and out in the community. If you think your child might need support, connect with us at Expressable. Get matched with an occupational therapist and watch your child’s progress begin!
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
