Introduction to Paediatric Occupational Therapy in Australia
If your child is experiencing difficulties with development, growth or learning, paediatric occupational therapy may be able to help. Occupational therapists (OTs) work with children to improve their engagement and participation in life roles, such as self-care, school and play.
OT helps children with a range of issues, including thinking, emotions and behaviour. It can also support children with physical disabilities, sensory processing difficulties and developmental delays. Many parents find that OT helps their child to reach their full potential and enhances their confidence, self-esteem and social skills.
What Is KidsOT and How Does It Help?
KidsOT is a type of paediatric occupational therapy that helps children with behavioural issues. OT uses exercises, activities, strategies, and accommodations for increased independence. This allows children to participate in their daily occupations such as self-care, school, and play.
KidsOT helps improve cognitive, physical, and motor skills. OT can help with concentration, fine motor skills, learning, and memory skills. It is important to note that OT is a process-oriented treatment that requires patience and time to see results. However, the benefits of paediatric occupational therapy are innumerable.
Assessments and Intervention Strategies
At Spring Forward, we take a holistic approach to paediatric occupational therapy. This means that we take into account all aspects of a child’s life that may be impacting on their ability to engage in the activities they need and want to do.
One of the ways we do this is through assessments. These assessments allow us to identify any triggers of aggressive behaviour, and then put in place specific intervention strategies to help the child overcome these. For example, if we find that the child is struggling with emotional regulation, we may work with the parents to establish more realistic expectations and consistency in their lives.
Sessions with our occupational therapists also aim to develop rapport and prevent challenging behaviour from arising. We want the child to feel comfortable and safe in our environment, so they can open up and truly benefit from the therapy. Finally, we analyse the child’s performance during each session so that we can track their progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.
Goals of KidsOT Programmes
Paediatric occupational therapy seeks to help kids achieve their daily occupations such as self-care, school and play so as to enhance their confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing. The therapist creates a customised plan based on the needs of the child which includes a variety of activities to help them be successful.
The paediatric occupational therapy goals are achieved through participation in activities that help the child learn and acquire new skills. These activities can help develop muscle control, gross motor coordination and problem solving skills. Additionally, OT helps kids improve their cognitive development, communication abilities, sensory processing and emotional regulation.
OT does not just address existing issues but also look ahead and provide strategies for future growth as well. The paediatric occupational therapist works with the family to ensure that all goals are achieved in a way that is suitable for everyone involved.
Benefits of Paediatric Occupational Therapy
One of the major benefits of Paediatric Occupational Therapy is that it helps to improve a child’s physical, mental, behaviour and developmental conditions. OT seeks to improve a child’s engagement and participation in life roles such as self-care, school and play so as to enhance their confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing.
OT also helps to improve cognitive, physical and motor skills. For example, paediatric occupational therapy can help a child with Autism to control their emotional outbursts or cope with sensory overloads through sensory integration activities like brushing or weighted vests. It can also assist children with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia by teaching them how to better focus their attention on tasks and develop fine motor skills.
In short, paediatric occupational therapy helps to provide an individualised assessment of a child’s abilities in order to facilitate their maximum level of independence and success in life while helping them overcome behavioural issues.
Resources and Further Information at Spring Forward Family Centre
At Spring Forward Family Centre, we are here to provide support and resources for you and your child. We understand how important it is to have a positive learning atmosphere and we want to guide you through the process of helping your child achieve their goals.
We have a range of services to help your child develop skills needed throughout their daily lives such as self-care, school and play. From physical, occupational, ABA, music and speech-language therapy services, our aim is to help children, teens and young adults build the skills needed for life. Our experienced team can work with you to identify challenges being faced by your child and by coming up with tailored solutions we can ensure that your child is achieving his/her best potential.
If you’re looking for more information on paediatric occupational therapy or resources related to how it can help with behavioural issues, visit our website or contact us directly today. We’ll be happy to provide answers to all of your questions!
Conclusion
So, what is KidsOT all about? Simply put, it’s about giving your child the best chance to succeed in life. KidsOT is about empowering children with the skills they need to overcome any behavioural challenges they may be facing, so that they can lead happy, fulfilling lives. KidsOT can help children with a range of issues, including autism, learning disabilities, and ADHD.
