What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is an evidence-based assessment, planning and intervention method that aims to support people of all ages and backgrounds to better engage with their lives. Occupational therapy works with people to develop individually-meaningful goals, in order to address challenges they may be experiencing at home, with work or productivity, and with leisure. This can include grading activities to make them more achievable and working to remove or minimise environmental barriers, amongst many other things. Occupational therapy is a holistic approach that supports people both with their physical and mental wellbeing, and occupational therapists are employed across a huge variety of sectors.
Occupational therapy is overseen by the professional accrediting body, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Their professional motto is ‘helping people to live, not just exist.’
Is occupational therapy right for my child?
If your child is experiencing difficulties with particular areas of their life, and it is impacting on their ability to complete tasks, or on their sense of identity and self-esteem, then occupational therapy may be a good fit. Occupational therapy can work with children of all ages and can help them to realise goals for things that are important to them, including at school, with play, with peers, with self-care and with confidence.
Occupational therapists at Held work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support children, in a way that feels important and meaningful to the child.
What kind of presentations and difficulties might an occupational therapist help with?
Occupational therapists can support children with all sorts of challenges and presentations. Every child is different, so there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach; children will meet with an occupational therapist and highlight what it is they are particularly struggling with, and the occupational therapist will support them to link goals to these challenges.
Some examples may include:
If a child is experiencing anxiety, an occupational therapist can work with them, their family and their network to grade some anxiety-provoking tasks into smaller, more achievable tasks. This can include things like answering questions in class at school, going out in the local area, travelling on public transport or;
If a child is struggling with confidence or low self-esteem, the occupational therapist can help them to highlight their competencies and things that they enjoy at. These competencies can be used to bolster their confidence in other tasks and contribute to a sense of accomplishment. More daunting things can be supported by including reference to things they like, including favourite programmes or music.
If a child has autism or ADHD, an occupational therapist can use psychoeducation to help them better understand challenges they may be experiencing, and help them to develop ways of expressing these to people in their lives.
Many occupational therapists have additional training in sensory processing difficulties. This training can really help children who experience sensitivity and overwhelm in response to sensory stimuli better cope in their environment, considering how best to support them with techniques, toys and equipment.
Occupational therapists can help children and their families to ensure that they are living healthy, positive lifestyles with a good balance across important domains of self-care, productivity and leisure.
What does an occupational therapy assessment entail?
An occupational therapist will gather as much information as possible about the young person, their challenges and context during the initial assessment, with a particular focus on their day-to-day life and hopes. There may be additional questions about sensory sensitivities and environment.
An occupational therapist will support a young person to highlight what is important to them to focus on, and work with them and their family to develop meaningful goals.
Following the assessment, a comprehensive report will be written, highlighting a proposed intervention plan in accordance with the goals developed, as well as a regular review point.
How can I find out more, speak to someone about my child or book an initial consultation?