Beginner Guide
What OT Sessions Look Like — and How to Collaborate with Your Team
New to occupational therapy? This guide explains session formats, what therapists work on, how families participate, and how to track progress across home, school, and clinic.
Quick overview
- Session length & frequency: commonly 30–60 minutes, weekly or every other week, adjusted to goals and availability.
- Focus areas: participation in daily activities (ADLs), sensory regulation, fine/visual‑motor skills, handwriting, play, feeding, and more.
- Family involvement: observe, coach, and practice strategies; your input guides real‑life goals.
- Data & progress: therapists document goals, strategies, and outcomes—you should see periodic progress updates.
Where sessions happen
Clinic
Equipment‑rich spaces (swings, scooter boards, climbing) for sensory‑motor work, fine‑motor tools, and feeding rooms.
Often best for targeted practice with specialized equipment.
School
Focus on educational access and participation: handwriting, classroom routines, organization, regulation for learning.
Delivered under an IEP or 504 plan.
Home / Early Intervention
Coaching in natural routines like meals, bath, dressing, play, or bedtime—high carryover to daily life.
Especially common for ages birth–3.
Telehealth may be an option for coaching, home setup, and caregiver training.
Typical session flow
- Check‑in & plan — share updates (sleep, school notes, successes); agree on focus for today.
- Warm‑up & regulation — movement or heavy‑work prep; visual schedule for the session.
- Targeted activities — playful tasks tied to goals (e.g., fine‑motor games, handwriting drills, feeding steps).
- Coaching & modeling — therapist explains the “why,” shows you how, and has you try it.
- Cool‑down — calming routine; quick debrief.
- Home plan — choose 1–2 practice ideas; note duration/frequency; confirm next steps.
Your role as a parent/caregiver
- Share context: what’s working this week, times of day that are tough, upcoming events or changes.
- Observe strategies and practice them during the session with coaching.
- Pick small, doable home activities (2–5 minutes) that fit natural routines.
- Track what helps and what doesn’t; bring notes to the next session.
Try this: Use our Sensory Diet App to log what you try at home and share results with your therapist.
Goals, documentation & progress
Goals
Clear, functional goals guide sessions (e.g., “participate in morning routine with one prompt”). Ask to review or re‑prioritize as life changes.
Documentation
Therapists record strategies, responses, and safety notes. You can request summaries or progress updates.
Measuring progress
Look for both skill growth (e.g., buttoning) and participation (e.g., smoother transitions). Track across settings: home, school, community.
Home programs & sensory plans
- Start tiny: 1–2 strategies before predictable tough times.
- Use visuals/choice boards so your child can request preferred tools.
- Pair vestibular input with deep pressure/heavy work when appropriate.
- Stop anything that causes pain, dizziness, or distress; adjust with your OT.
Collaboration across settings
School
Share clinic notes with the IEP/504 team. Ask how classroom strategies (fidgets, seating, visuals) will be taught and monitored.
Medical
Update your pediatrician; request referrals or letters of medical necessity when needed for insurance or equipment.
Other providers
Coordinate with SLP/PT/behavior specialists so home strategies are consistent and realistic.
Questions to ask your OT
- What are the top two goals we’re working on this month?
- Which strategies should we practice at home, and how often?
- How will we know if a strategy is helping? What should we look for?
- Can you share a brief summary we can send to school?
Safety notes
- Use weighted items and intensive vestibular activities with OT guidance.
- Supervise new or intense activities; stop if there’s pain, dizziness, or distress.
- Ask about alternative options if something isn’t tolerated.