What are Self-Care Skills?

Self-care skills — also known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) — help children participate in routines independently. These include feeding, dressing, grooming, toileting, and managing daily routines.

Does your child have difficulty with any of the following?

• Dressing (buttons, zippers, snaps, orientation of clothing)

• Brushing teeth (tolerance, technique, routine)

• Feeding (picky eating, gagging, utensil use, chewing)

• Toileting (awareness, sequencing)

• Following morning or bedtime routines

• Avoiding hygiene/grooming tasks

How OTs Help

Our OTs assess sensory and motor factors that affect independence.

Therapy may include:

• Step-by-step routines using visuals and modeling

• Feeding strategies, utensil grasp, and chewing development

• Sensory regulation for grooming and hygiene tasks

• Dressing practice using backward chaining

• Toilet training guidance

• Parent coaching to make routines smoother at home

• Building confidence, predictability, and autonomy

Self-care goals are always tailored to what matters most to your child and family.