Ami, a 9-year-old girl was referred to our clinic for occupational therapy evaluation without any formal diagnosis by a Psychiatrist. A brief talk with her parents revealed that she was referred for hair pulling.

 

The extent of her hair pulling was so much that she had bald patches on her head. Her parents were highly concerned because if left unaddressed, it would have had its repercussions in all spheres of her life.

A comprehensive evaluation of her motor milestones and sensory development was conducted. Further, Ami’s clinical evaluation and parental questionnaire revealed that she had ‘proprioceptive seeking’, extremely high pain threshold, and trouble with her writing skills.

 

She was also observed to be very impulsive, unable to sit in one place and her attention was inconsistent. However, her body flexibility and coordination were above average (parents played an important role in that).

Following the principle of sensory integration, customized treatment was given to her with the right number of challenges.

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*The name has been changed for client confidentiality