When Should I Seek an OT Consult About Constant Rough Play? 

Parenting Perspective 

Rough play can become a cause for concern when it stops being playful and starts to look like it is the only way a child knows how to regulate themselves. This may present as constant jumping, crashing, pushing, or colliding with things, even after repeated reminders. Occupational Therapists (OTs) specialise in sensory integration and can help to identify whether this behaviour is being driven by sensory-seeking, poor body awareness, or other underlying regulation difficulties. The goal is not to label your child, but to understand their unique sensory system, so that the strategies you use at home can become more targeted, instead of relying on endless trial and error. 

Observe the Pattern, Not Just the Incident 

It can be helpful to write down what happens before, during, and after the periods of rough play. For example: 

• Before: Does it follow screen time, a transition, a loud environment, or a period of tiredness? 

• During: What does the behaviour look like? Is it hitting, crashing, or wrestling that is too hard? 

• After: Do they seem calmer for a short while, or do they become even more agitated? 

If the behaviour repeats several times a day or is beginning to interfere with their learning, their friendships, or the peace of your family, it has likely moved beyond the scope of normal energy expression. 

Key Questions to Ask Yourself 

You may need to seek an OT consultation if you notice the following signs: 

• The child seeks out rough touch, even when it seems to be hurting others or themselves. 

• Calming activities, such as deep breathing or firm hugs, seem to work only for a very brief time. 

• The child cannot seem to judge their own strength; they may hug too hard, knock others over accidentally, or break objects often. 

• Their sleep, their attention span, or their focus at school are being consistently affected. 

• They appear to be unaware of pain or are constantly bumping into things. 

If you have checked three or more of these points, a sensory evaluation can help to clarify which of their senses may need more structured input, and which may be overloaded. 

Distinguish Between Behavioural and Sensory Drivers 

If you have found that discipline, routine, and an emphasis on empathy have improved most of your child’s other behaviours but not the rough play, it is likely that the issue is sensory. When a child says, ‘I just need to move,’ or if they calm down significantly after receiving deep pressure, their body is telling you that it is seeking proprioceptive feedback, not that it is seeking control or attention. That is the exact moment when an OT’s input can help to turn the chaos into a clear plan. 

What to Expect From an OT 

A paediatric OT will observe your child during play and may test their balance, their tolerance to touch, their coordination, and their sensory preferences. They can then design a ‘sensory diet’, which is a daily plan of deep pressure, movement, and rest activities that are designed to fit your child’s specific nervous system. They will also teach you how to replace unsafe behaviours, like tackling siblings, with safe ones, such as pushing against walls or using crash mats. 

Support Your Child Without Shame 

You can tell your child, ‘We are going to meet someone who is an expert in helping children to use their strong bodies in smart ways.’ This helps to keep the tone of the conversation positive. The goal is skill-building, not “fixing” a problem. In the meantime, you can continue to provide structure at home, with daily heavy work, time outdoors, and clear start-stop rules for play, so the OT’s work will have a solid foundation to build upon. 

Partner With the School 

If your child’s teachers are reporting constant collisions with other children or difficulty with sitting still, it is a good idea to share your observations and your OT plan with them. Consistency between home and school is crucial for success. OTs can often liaise with schools to suggest sensory breaks, seating adjustments, or movement tools that can support a child’s focus without causing disruption. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that every individual is created with unique strengths and challenges, and that seeking knowledge or professional help is a part of fulfilling our duty of care. Consulting an OT when your child’s rough play is overwhelming them is not a sign of weakness; it is a form of hikmah (wisdom) and amanah (responsibility). 

Seeking Guidance Is an Act of Strength 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zumar (39), Verses 9: 

‘…Say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “Can there ever be parity between those people that have knowledge and those people that do not have knowledge?”; indeed, this is a source of realisation for those who seek a rational understanding.’ 

This reminds us that seeking specialised knowledge is a part of our faith. Just as we would consult a teacher for our education, we should also consult experts to help us understand the body that Allah Almighty has entrusted to us. 

Mercy in Helping the Vulnerable 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2319, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He who does not show mercy to people, Allah will not show mercy to him.’ 

This teaches us that helping a child to manage their impulses with patience and kindness is an act that invites the mercy of Allah. A consultation, when it is done with love and humility, is one of the most merciful steps a parent can take. 

You can end the decision-making process with a family prayer: ‘O Allah, please guide us to have wisdom in caring for this body that You have created, and bless those who can help us to understand it.’ Over time, you will see that seeking help is not an admission of defeat, but an act of building balance. It can help to turn constant roughness into a conscious strength, teaching your child that every movement, when it is guided by care, can become a path to calm, to gratitude, and to faith.