Daily living skills
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What are daily living skills
Daily living skills are the skills used to complete the many tasks of a normal day. They include skills for dressing, eating, toileting, bathing and many more.
To be successful in using these skills, there may be special requirements for children with disability and their families. For example, for one child it may be important to learn to wash without help, while for another it may be important just to feel comfortable and safe when being washed by someone else. The skills that are required to complete these everyday routines are called 'daily living skills'. The people who have special knowledge and experience in helping people in these areas are occupational therapists.
Helping children to improve their daily living skills
All children are different and do things in different ways. When working with children to address problems involved with daily living activities, it is important to identify and recognise the particular areas of interest to the child. Occupational therapists use a range of assessments to help identify these areas. Once identified, the areas can be worked on together, with the child and the family.
The following information and ideas can be used when helping children with daily living activities:
- Equipment and tools - There are many different items of equipment and tools that can assist children to become independent. Therapists can provide information about the best equipment for a particular activity. More information about equipment
- Positioning - The way a child is positioned while performing activities can affect their success. Therapists can provide suggestions that will make activities more manageable. More information about positioning
- Ideas for making an activity simpler - Breaking down an activity into smaller parts can increase success for a child. Therapists have many ideas for how this can be done for most activities.
- Making the activity into a game - making an activity more fun helps the child to become interested in the activity, and in turn, may also increase the child's confidence in attempting tasks. More information about play
- Changing the way the activity or the environment is set up - The way an activity is set up can have a strong effect on whether or not a child will succeed.
Read Michael's story
Disclaimer: This information is for general use and you should talk to the relevant therapist before using it with a particular child. See disclaimer details.
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What if children rely on other for daily living tasks?
In this situation, the occupational therapist will work with families and carers to help them find the safest and easiest ways to care for their child.
Once again, each of these situations is different and will therefore need a slightly different solution. Keep this in mind with the following list of ideas
- Make sure that there is enough space to move freely and safely when caring for the child - the occupational therapist is able to give ideas about changes to the home that may increase workspace in the main areas such as the bathroom
Organise the space that you have and the equipment to reduce the amount of twisting, reaching and carrying that you have to do - for example, the wheelchair should be placed close to the bed before the child is lifted to the bed- Organise the things you have to do each day to reduce the number of lifts required and to make the most of help when it is available - for example, it may be best to bath the child at night when both parents are around to help with the lifting
- Use equipment - for example, a hoist for lifting, bed blocks to raise a bed - this can reduce the amount of bending you have to do.
Read about Kate's bathroom
For further information
Send an on-line message to a Novita occupational therapist or contact one at one of the Novita regional offices.
Disclaimer Detail: The above information on is of a general nature only and does not constitute advice. Novita Children's Services makes no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy, usefulness, suitability or application of the information to a child's particular circumstances. Use of the information above is at your sole risk, and you should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the information. Novita Children's Services accepts no liability for any damages or loss that may arise from the use of, or any omission from, the information provided.
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