My child struggles with everyday tasks

If your child is struggling with activities that other children can do - such as dressing themselves, using cutlery or wiping their bottom - we have produced some advice and strategies which you can try at home with your child.

Please try these at home before making a referral to occupational therapy (OT) as referrals will not be accepted in the first instance. 

Use the guides below and record your child's progress on the activity chart - this will help us to support you if you do refer to OT at a later date.

Advice and strategies to try at home

• Cutlery skills

  Download this document: Cutlery skills (PDF: 198 KB)

  Useful tips on positioning, how to hold cutlery and activities to help with cutlery skills.

  First published: 22/03/2021

• Dressing skills for early years

  Download this document: Dressing skills for early years (PDF: 179 KB)

  This guidance will help your child to develop dressing skills in their early years and establish a routine.

• Dressing skills

  Download this document: Dressing skills (PDF: 417 KB)

  Helps to break down the different elements of dressing into easy chunks with games to improve dressing skills.

• Pre-writing skills

  Download this document: Pre-writing skills (PDF: 187 KB)

  Strategies to develop pre-writing skills, from grasping the pencil, activities to develop upper limb and core strength and multi-sensory approaches.

• Handwriting

  Download this document: Handwriting (PDF: 207 KB)

  From gripping the pencil to letter formation and letter reversal, some techniques to try at home.

• Handwriting - managing fatigue and pain

  Download this document: Handwriting - managing fatigue and pain (PDF: 207 KB)

  Strategies from correct posture and shoulder stability to grasping a pencil.

• Scissor skills

  Download this document: Scissor skills (PDF: 192 KB)

  From how to sit to graded cutting tasks, some things to try to encourage confidence and accuracy.

• Toileting skills

  Download this document: Toileting skills (PDF: 222 KB)

  From posture and positioning to fun games to encourage independent bottom wiping.

• Tying laces

  Download this document: Tying laces (PDF: 345 KB)

  From using different materials to breaking the activity into smaller steps, some useful strategies to try with your child.

• Activity chart

  Download this document: Activity chart (PDF: 91 KB)

  Use this chart to monitor your child's progress with the skills they are trying to learn or improve.

Other difficulties

Running, hopping or riding a bike

If your child's difficulties are with gross motor activities such as running, hopping or riding a bike contact Liverpool Community Physiotherapy for support on 0151 438 2090 - please do not submit an occupational therapy referral.

Continence

If your child's difficulties are with continence we advise you to speak to your school nurse or health visitor. They will be able to make a referral to the Children's Community Bladder and Bowel Service if appropriate.

What next?

Talk to your child's school about the support that they receive and what strategies can be put in place there to complement what you are doing at home.

If your child's difficulties continue after trialling the above strategies and advice, you may submit a referral. See our referral process for more information.

You will need to submit your completed activity sheets and other evidence from home and school as part of your referral.