Each term opens to a complete guide with examples, signs to notice, practical support ideas, related articles, and professional references.
A
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Everyday self-care tasks such as dressing, eating, toileting, bathing, and grooming.
Read the full explanation →Tools & supportsAdaptive Equipment
Tools designed or modified to make an everyday activity safer, easier, or more independent.
Read the full explanation →Tools & supportsAssistive Technology
Any item, device, or system that improves a person's ability to perform a functional activity.
Read the full explanation →B
C
D
Developmental Screening
A brief standardized check that identifies whether closer evaluation may be helpful.
Read the full explanation →DevelopmentDevelopmental Milestones
Skills most children can do by a certain age in movement, language, learning, and social-emotional development.
Read the full explanation →E
Early Intervention
Services and supports for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.
Read the full explanation →RegulationEmotional Regulation
Noticing, managing, and recovering from emotional experiences with developmentally appropriate support.
Read the full explanation →Tools & supportsEnvironmental Modification
Changing the physical, sensory, social, or task environment to improve participation.
Read the full explanation →Learning & participationExecutive Functioning
Mental skills used to start, plan, remember, organize, shift, monitor, and complete tasks.
Read the full explanation →F
Family-Centered Care
An approach that respects family priorities, culture, knowledge, routines, and decision-making.
Read the full explanation →Motor skillsFine Motor Skills
Small, coordinated movements of the hands and fingers used to manipulate objects and tools.
Read the full explanation →H
I
M
N
O
Occupation-Based Practice
Therapy organized around meaningful daily activities rather than isolated exercises alone.
Read the full explanation →Practice approachOccupational Therapy (OT)
A health profession that helps people participate in meaningful everyday activities.
Read the full explanation →Practice approachOccupational Therapy Evaluation
A comprehensive process used to understand strengths, challenges, environments, and participation goals.
Read the full explanation →P
Pencil Grasp
How the fingers and hand hold a writing or drawing tool.
Read the full explanation →Motor skillsPincer Grasp
Using the thumb and index finger to pick up and manipulate small objects.
Read the full explanation →Play & learningPlay Skills
The abilities children use to explore, imagine, solve problems, move, use objects, and connect with others.
Read the full explanation →Motor skillsPostural Control
Maintaining and adjusting body position for stability and movement.
Read the full explanation →Handwriting readinessPre-Writing Skills
Foundational abilities used before children form letters and numbers.
Read the full explanation →Sensory processingProprioception
The sense that provides information from muscles and joints about body position, movement, and force.
Read the full explanation →Motor skillsPraxis
The ability to conceive, plan, and execute a purposeful action.
Read the full explanation →S
Scissor Skills
The coordinated ability to open, close, guide, and turn scissors and paper safely.
Read the full explanation →RegulationSelf-Regulation
The developing ability to manage attention, emotions, behavior, and body state for participation.
Read the full explanation →Sensory processingSensory Modulation
The nervous system's ability to regulate responses to sensory information.
Read the full explanation →Sensory processingSensory Processing
How the nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to information from the body and environment.
Read the full explanation →T
V
Visual-Motor Integration
Coordinating visual information with hand or body movement.
Read the full explanation →Visual skillsVisual Perception
The brain's ability to interpret and make meaning from visual information.
Read the full explanation →Tools & supportsVisual Schedule
A sequence of pictures, words, or objects that shows what will happen and in what order.
Read the full explanation →KEEP LEARNING
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