Occupational Therapy Terminology

Sensory processing is the ability to receive, interpret, and respond to sensory input from the environment and one’s own body.

Gross motor skills involve large muscle movements used for activities like walking, jumping, and running.

Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements in the hands and fingers necessary for tasks like writing, buttoning, and using utensils.

Visual motor integration is the ability to coordinate visual input with motor output for tasks like handwriting and playing sports.

Visual perception is the ability to interpret and make sense of visual information from the environment.

ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living ) are also known as “self help skills”.

Praxis is the ability of the brain to conceive, plan, and execute motor actions in a coordinated manner.

Bilateral integration is the ability to use both sides of the body in a coordinated manner.

Fine motor coordination refers to the ability to make precise hand and finger movements.

Clinical observations can help therapists understand a patient's strengths and limitations, and inform the development of a treatment plan.