Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training
Independence in dressing, grooming, toileting and eating.
Suitable for ages 18 months – 18 years
Overview
ADL training breaks self-care routines into achievable steps and teaches them with backward chaining, visual schedules and adapted equipment. The goal is measurable independence — a child who dresses themselves before school, or manages the toilet without help.
We train in the clinic and then transfer skills to your bathroom, wardrobe and dining table through photo-based home programmes.
Signs your child may need this therapy
- Needs full help to dress or bathe beyond expected age
- Not toilet trained despite readiness signs
- Cannot use a spoon, cup or tumbler independently
- Resists brushing teeth or combing hair
- Struggles with school bag, water bottle and lunch box
- Requires constant prompts for every routine step
Benefits of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training
- Independence in dressing and grooming
- Successful toilet training
- Confident self-feeding
- Smoother, faster morning routines
- Reduced caregiver burden
- Improved self-esteem and school readiness
Treatment process
- STEP 1
Detailed OT evaluation
A 60–75 minute session covering developmental history, sensory profile, muscle tone, coordination, hand skills and daily-living independence, using tools such as the Sensory Profile-2 and DASII/Peabody-based motor measures.
- STEP 2
Shared goal setting
We translate findings into 3–5 functional goals that matter at home and school — holding a pencil, sitting through a meal, tolerating a haircut, buttoning a shirt.
- STEP 3
Individual therapy plan
Your child receives a written plan specifying session frequency, activity progression, equipment used and the home programme that supports it.
- STEP 4
Weekly play-based sessions
45-minute one-to-one sessions in our sensory gym and fine-motor studio. Activities are graded so your child is always working just beyond their comfort zone, never past it.
- STEP 5
Parent training
The last 10 minutes of every session are for you: what we did, why, and the two or three things to practise before the next visit.
- STEP 6
Progress review
Formal re-assessment every 12 weeks with a written report, updated goals and a discharge pathway once targets are met.
FAQ
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training — your questions answered
Related
You may also be looking for
Not sure where to start? Begin with an assessment.
One hour with our team gives you a clear picture of your child's development and a written plan you can act on — whether or not you continue therapy with us.