Daycare recommendation: Occupational therapy (DE: Ergo-Therapie) for your child. What you should know.
- Johanna
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Occupational therapy is a proven treatment method that supports children in their motor, cognitive, and social development. Kindergarten teachers might suggest that your child could benefit from occupational therapy. However, as well-intentioned as these recommendations are, the final decision to prescribe occupational therapy rests with your doctor. Strict legal requirements, known as therapeutic guidelines, must be observed.
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1. Observations in kindergarten and medical indication
At the kindergarten, experienced staff closely observe your child's daily routine and can identify any abnormalities in motor skills, perception, or social behavior. These observations provide valuable clues that serve as a starting point.
Important:
The recommendations from the kindergarten are indications,
A thorough medical examination and diagnosis will determine whether there is actually a pathological developmental disorder or impairment that justifies therapy.
"Only if your doctor identifies a pathological developmental disorder or behavioral abnormality during the examination does your child need occupational therapy." ( kvn.de )
Efficiency audit: Doctors must ensure that the prescribed units
necessary,
sufficient and
are economical.
2. What happens at the doctor’s?
If you or the daycare center suspect that your child could benefit from occupational therapy, your doctor will first conduct a detailed discussion with you. This can take place during a checkup or be scheduled as a consultation. The following steps will be taken, among others:
The medical history:
Together, you will discuss any abnormalities you have observed in your child's daily life, whether in motor skills, perception, or social behavior. Bring along reports from daycare.
Observations and findings:
A thorough examination will be conducted to assess your child's developmental level. Other specialists, such as pediatric neurologists or child psychologists, may also be consulted.
Planning and objectives:
Together you will plan the specific goals you want to achieve with the therapy – for example, improving fine motor skills or increasing your ability to concentrate for longer.
3. Indications and therapeutic goals
Occupational therapy for children is one of the medical therapies that are specifically used to:
to improve fine and gross motor skills,
to promote sensory perception and
to strengthen social skills.
Typical reasons that justify a doctor’s prescription can be:
Significant motor development delays,
Perceptual disorders or sensory integration disorders,
Behavioral problems such as those found in ADHD or early childhood autism,
Difficulties with everyday tasks that impair independence.
The goal of treatment is to improve your child's ability to act so that he or she becomes more independent in the long term and can move around safely in everyday life.
4. Diagnosis in young children – Sensitive handling of an early diagnosis
Especially with young children, it is important to handle diagnoses carefully:
Individual development processes:
Every child develops at their own pace. A diagnosis shouldn't be made prematurely if your child is merely developing at a normal, albeit slightly slower, pace.
Children aged 2, 3, or 4 do not typically receive occupational therapy. Often, occupational therapy is delayed until the U9 check-up to give your child sufficient time to develop at their own pace. When it comes to issues that particularly affect school readiness, it may be beneficial to begin occupational therapy about a year before school entry. In some cases, it is even recommended to postpone school entry for a year to give your child even more time for development, or a combination of both.
Multidisciplinary assessment:
In addition to your pediatrician, specialized professionals can also be consulted to obtain a comprehensive picture.
Diagnosis as a starting point:
An early diagnosis allows for targeted support measures to be initiated. It is not intended to stigmatize, but rather to serve as a basis for individualized treatment plans tailored specifically to your child's needs.
5. Tips and tricks for you – support in everyday life
You can also make a big difference at home. Regular and routine practice can significantly improve your child's skills. Here are some suggestions:
Playful fine motor skills exercises:
Crafts, painting, or working with play dough promote dexterity and creativity. Joint craft projects are fun and strengthen motor skills at the same time.
Movement games:
Activities like balancing, jumping, climbing, or a small obstacle course in the garden or on the playground promote gross motor skills and improve body coordination. Simple games like tag or ball games can also have a big impact.
Structure and routine:
A fixed daily routine gives your child security. Clear rituals, regular breaks, and set mealtimes can improve concentration and prevent overstimulation.
Integrate everyday tasks:
Let your child help with simple household chores—for example, setting the table, sorting laundry, or tidying up. These tasks promote independence and improve motor skills.
Concentration exercises:
Games like puzzles, memory games or simple memory games help to extend your child's attention span and train focus.
Recommendation
For even more practical tips, detailed instructions, and helpful materials, I warmly recommend visiting the website www.familienergo.de . There you'll find offers specifically tailored to the needs of families that offer valuable support in your everyday life.
6. Legal requirements for the prescription of occupational therapy
The prescription of occupational therapy as a medical treatment is subject to strict legal regulations. For a prescription to be reimbursed by health insurance, the following points must be clearly documented on the prescription:
Precise diagnosis: The prescription must contain a clear, medically established diagnosis - as an ICD-10 code with a precise description.
Treatment quantity and frequency: It must be determined how many therapy units are prescribed (e.g. up to 10 units per prescription) and at what frequency (e.g. 1-2 times weekly).
The prescription of occupational therapy must be clearly justified in order to be reimbursed by the health insurance company. These requirements ensure that occupational therapy is applied precisely where it is actually needed – and is not prescribed too liberally.
All the best to you!
Don't forget - active participation and integrating exercises into everyday life makes a big difference in your child's development.
Status: 04/2025
Resources + Recommendations
Recommended website with practical tips, exercises and detailed information for parents who want to support their everyday lives with children receiving occupational therapy.
kvn.de : "Occupational therapy, yes or no? What help does your child need?" (PDF)
kvbawue.de : “Prescribing occupational therapy correctly – useful information for contract psychotherapists” (published April 2024)
