April is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to celebrate the incredible work that occupational therapists do to support people of all ages in building the skills they need for everyday life. Whether working with children, teens, or adults, OTs empower individuals to engage more fully in the activities that matter to them—at home, at school, at work, and in the community.
One of the many tools that can support this work is a visual timer.
The Role of Time in Occupational Therapy
Time is a constant factor in therapy sessions—whether it’s pacing a task, managing transitions, or building a client’s understanding of time itself. For individuals with ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges, the concept of time can be abstract and difficult to manage. That’s where visual timers can come in handy.
By providing a clear, visual representation of time passing, a visual timer can help:
- Ease transitions between tasks
- Reduce anxiety or resistance around time limits
- Support attention and self-regulation
- Encourage independence during routines
The Time Timer MOD 10 Minute is especially helpful for shorter sessions or quick activities—making it a natural fit for occupational therapy.
A Few Ways OTs Are Using It
In hearing from OTs across different settings, we've learned that the 10-minute timer often fits right into their workflow. Here are a few examples:
- Sensory regulation: Time a calming activity like deep breathing, stretching, or a quiet break in a sensory room.
- Short tasks or circuits: Keep a child engaged during a handwriting exercise, motor activity, or short obstacle course.
- Transitions: Use it as a nonverbal cue to prepare for the next part of a session or school day.
- Attention practice: Help clients build up focused work time gradually with short, timed intervals.
- Home routines: Encourage independence by using the timer to support daily tasks like brushing teeth, tidying up, or getting dressed.
A Small Tool with a Big Impact
While a timer might seem like a simple thing, it can be a meaningful support for individuals working on time management and independence. OTs often tell us that having a visual, concrete way to show time passing makes a big difference—especially for clients who are just learning to manage tasks and transitions on their own.
As we celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, we’re grateful for the thoughtful, creative, and compassionate work that therapists do each day. We’re honored to support that work in whatever small way we can.
