309 Holly Lane \ Mankato, Mn 56001 \ (507) 388-5437 \ Fax (507) 388-2108 \ Contact Us

Therapy Programs
Physical | Occupational | Speech | Sensory Integration | Hippotherapy

Sensory Motor Solutions for Learning
Try implementing a combination of these strategies to minimize frustration and enhance learning.

A. Try changing the task
  • Substitute another task more appropriate for the child's sensory tolerance, motor skills, or perceptual readiness. (i.e a child with fine motor problems could cut and paste a picture for the front of a book report, rather than drawing it)
  • Break down the task into more simplified steps that are achievable by the child. (i.e. give out only materials for one step at a time)
  • Alter the intrinsic qualities of the task, such as the size, orientation, color, smell, motor demands, etc. (i.e. try using a larger piece of paper, or lined paper with larger spaces between the lines)
B. Try changing the instructions
  • Provide different types of directions more appropriate for the child's sensory needs.  (i.e. give instructions one step at a time)
  • Offer different cues or support to assist the child in accomplishing the steps.  (i.e. try using visual cues, magazine pictures, or a written list of steps in order)
C. Try Changing the Child
  • Use sensory diet items to alter the child's ability to tolerate or make meaningful use of the instructions.  (i.e. speak with an Occupational Therapist for specific suggestions, or call us for a list of sensory diet items appropriate for your child.)
  • Change the position in which the child accomplishes the task.  (i.e. use a rocking chair, bean bag chair, or the floor to work on the task)
D. Try changing the materials
  • Substitute different materials to increase the child's ability to accomplish the task. (i.e. try using jumbo crayons, fat handled paint brushes, loop scissors)
  • Add or reduce sensory qualities of existing materials. (i.e. try adding or taking away resistance created by tools.  Flair tipped pens have least resistance, crayons have the most)
E. Try changing the environment
  • Alter physical properties of the environment such as lighting, sounds, temperature, and traffic around the child.
  • Change the location in the environment where the child is working on a particular task.
For more information on solutions for sensory motor learning problems call us, and ask to speak with an Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapists work with children who have sensory motor learning problems. Occupational Therapy can help children with sensory motor issues process sensory information more efficiently

We are a multidisciplinary pediatric facility. We specialize in providing treatment to children who are challenged by the developmental demands of home, school, or social environments. Our team of therapists join together in a unique method of care that helps to mobilize resources to meet the needs of our clients and their families.

The majority of the children seen at at our facility have some sort of developmental delay. This means that they may have mild to moderate delays that impact development of gross motor, fine motor, language, visual perceptual, sensory-integrative, and/or social-emotional development. As a group the children tend to have a great deal of difficulty with motor skills, organizing tasks in a logical fashion, sticking with their plans, following instructions, and interpreting the details of pictures or symbols associated with instructions.

We offer many different programs to meet your child's developmental and cognitive needs:

Sensory Integration Testing

Sensory Integration Treatment

Occupational Therapy Evaluation

Therapeutic Exercises

Computer Assisted Treatment

Hand Function Assessment

Fine Motor Skill Development

Visual Perceptual Evaluation

Perceptual Motor Development

Upper Body Strengthening

Developmental Stimulation

Teacher Consultation

All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc 309 Holly Lane, Mankato, Mn 56001 or Dove Ministries for Children · 3305 Jerusalem Avenue · Wantagh, NY 11793
Balloon
. . .offering medically-based physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy services in a "kid friendly" environment
Web Weaver: VoyageurWeb