Activities of Daily Living

Who requires activities of daily living (ADL) support?

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is exactly as it says, activities we do every day to live a healthy and productive life. This includes activities such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, feeding, and going to the bathroom. Our involvement in ADLs changes as we grow. For older kids and adults ADLS also includes things like getting around town, managing money, etc. Children may have difficulties with age-appropriate ADLs for a variety of reasons including sensory sensitivities, motor skills delay or cognitive differences. 

What may treatment include?  

Our OTs would start with an assessment of age-appropriate ADLs to understand the priorities and underlying challenges contributing to poor ADL follow through. Working with the child, family and community members we then work towards finding an approach that fits the family and child’s needs.

Some treatment strategies may include;

  • Grading tasks using “just right challenges” to teach the skill (ex. using large buttons before moving onto smaller buttons)

  • Adapting the activity (ex. elastic shoe laces or velcro) 

  • Sensory Treatment or strategies to reduce discomfort of some of the ADLs (ex. sensory friendly clothing for a child who dislikes the feeling of seams)

  • CO-OP treatment (cognitive orientation to occupational performance) and problem-solving collaboratively with the child and family to help solve practical issues with ADL follow-through (ex. trouble getting through their morning routine to leave for school on time)

Often many approaches are used in collaboration with the family and dependent on priorities. In session, ADL tasks will be practiced in the context of games and play to increase a child’s participation and motivation.  

Why OT? 

Occupational Therapists are experienced with task analysis and are able to break the task down, thereby understanding a child’s current abilities and able to grade the task accordingly. This allows for a feeling of success and motivation. OTs have a variety of treatment approaches at their disposal (sensory, behavioural, or problem-solving frameworks) to provide concrete and realistic improvements for your family. 

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