Stabilization

What is it? Providing adequate support while interacting with task objects without momentary propping in order to make objects more secure/stable during tasks (AOTA, 2014, p. S25).  

 Why is it important? Stabilization is a skill necessary for occupations throughout the lifetime such as: 

• Dressing (grasping clothing while fastening zippers, buttons, snaps, etc.) 
• Feeding (holding bowl/plate while mixing or scooping food; stabilizing food while cutting it) 
• Grooming (holding toothpaste bottle while opening lid) 
• Academic performance (stabilizing paper while writing or cutting) 
• Driving (holding buckle while fastening seatbelt) 
• Home management (holding dustpan while sweeping) 
• Meal preparation (stabilizing foods while cutting them) 
• Job performance 
• Play and leisure activities 

5 activities to try at home: 

1. Building towers with blocks. 

Tip: See how high the tower can be built before falling! 

2. Cutting craft. 

Tip: Choose a craft of interest for your child! 

3. Stirring and creating slime in a bowl. 

Tip: Mix 1 cup water and 1 cup school glue together; Mix 1 cup warm water with 1 tsp Borax and let dissolve; Add water/Borax to water/glue mixture. Stir well! 

4. Cutting pretend play-doh food. 

Tip: Make sure your child is stabilizing the play-doh food with a non-dominant hand while they cut with the dominant hand. 

5. Drawing picture/ writing name/ applying stickers to craft. 

Tip: Stabilize paper with a non-dominant hand while drawing or writing on it. 

References 

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2014). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Suppl. 1), S1-S48.