OT Goals for Personal Space Awareness

Several medical conditions, such as autism, sensory disorders and stroke, can result in the abscence or loss of personal space awareness. When someone suffers from the lack of this awareness, they often violate the personal space of others and are unaware of their own bodies, which can create awkward, uncomfortable moments. This lack of awareness can make the person socially awkward, which leads to other issues, especially with children.

Affection

• While it is normal for children to be affectionate with others, children who suffer from a lack of personal space awareness can be more affectionate than other children their age. This affection may not be a problem among close family members, but it can raise issues in other situations. For instance, if the child constantly hangs on, hugs or kisses classmates, he is crossing a line and the behavior cannot be tolerated by the school. Occupational therapy can help a child understand when and where acts of affection are appropriate.

Reducing Violations

• When a child is taught to recognize his personal space, he is also taught to recognize that each person has his own personal space as well. Occupational therapy can teach the child that each person has his own idea of how close is to close and what is a violation of personal space. The child learns that it is important to watch for visual cues of discomfort from the other person, such as stiffening, closed body posture and backing away, to help him determine how close is too close.

Understanding Rules

• In many situations, especially school situations, a child is expected to follow particular rules. These rules include standing in line when needed and remaining in the child's desk unless excused. Children who have a lack of personal space awareness have difficulty with these tasks. Occupational therapy can teach the child to stand in line with the use of lines or tape on the floor to mark his spot. He can also be taught to remain in his desk unless the teacher specifically tells him he can get up. This can take plenty of practice, but over time, the student learns how to follow these instructions without help.

Social Skills

• Children who suffer from a lack of personal space awareness often have difficulty interacting with other children in particular. Adults are capable of understanding the child's issues, but other children do not understand. The child with poor personal space awareness often intrudes on the games of other children or into their conversations in an inappropriate manner. Occupational therapy can use techniques to give this child the tools he needs to interact better with his peers. Once the child gains a better understanding of personal space, the rest of his social issues will fall into place.

Modifications

• In some cases, especially early in the treatment, the child's environment must be modified to help him receive successful treatment. An occupational therapist can give the child's teacher, daycare provider and parents the tools they need to help the child learn. These tools may include physical ideas, such as tape to mark where the child should stand or cue cards to help the child remember, and ideas to help the child progress through treatment. These ideas may change as the treatment progresses. It is important for the occupational therapist to keep in close contact with the others in charge of the child's care on a day-to-day basis. This provides the best possible outcome.