Occupational therapy (OT) is a type of therapy that focuses on helping people of all ages improve their ability to do the activities that matter most to them, these activities are called occupations. This can include anything from being able to dress themselves in the morning, playing with friends at school, or having the ability to regulate to handle stressful situations. 

Through therapeutic activities and interventions, occupational therapists help children learn how to do everyday activities or tasks more effectively. OT teaches children how to gain independence in their daily life occupations and provide them with the tools necessary for success. 

It’s important for parents to remember that occupational therapy does not focus solely on teaching children skills but rather seeks to strengthen their overall wellbeing through improved physical and mental health, confidence and self-esteem, social skills and so on. Through occupational therapy interventions, your child can achieve meaningful and purposeful daily occupations which will improve their quality of life as they grow up. 

How Can OT Help With Mental Health Issues in Kids? 

Have you ever wondered how Occupational Therapy can help your child with their mental health? Through the use of purposeful activities and interventions, an occupational therapist can encourage your child to become independent, confident and self-reliant. 

This type of therapy helps children develop coping strategies for difficult emotions, build self-esteem and confidence, practise social skills in a safe environment and create a positive outlook on life. 

OT also focuses on teaching kids functional skills they need to complete everyday tasks such as playing with toys, writing or completing school work. Through these skills, children gain independence, academic success and a feeling of empowerment – all tools that help combat mental health issues long term. Furthermore, OT provides children with the opportunity to practise socialisation in a natural environment. This allows children to learn how to interact with others in real life situations which will help them better manage their emotions and develop stronger relationships. 

Common Childhood Mental Health Problems & Interventions Used by OTs 

Often, children may be struggling with mental health challenges that can only be identified and addressed with the help of a qualified therapist. Mental health issues common among children include: 

• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). 

Occupational therapists employ a variety of interventions to address these mental health conditions. These interventions may include, but are not limited to: 

• Sensory Integration: The therapist will use sensory stimulation such as music, light or objects to help the child become more aware of their senses and gain a better understanding of their bodies and their environment. 
• Direct Work With Parents/Carers: OTs will work directly with parents/carers to provide guidance on how to best cater for the needs of their child in regard to everyday living skills such as self-care, school and play in order to enhance their confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing. 

Goals of Occupational Therapy for Children With Mental Health Issues 

Occupational therapy can be used to help children with mental health issues by helping set and achieve goals, such as: 

Improving Adaptive Skills 

Adaptive skills enable an individual to cope with everyday life tasks, like self-care and time management.  

Enhancing Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem 

Building confidence and self-esteem are essential elements of a child’s development, but children with mental health challenges may require extra assistance in achieving these goals. Occupational therapists work with a child’s strengths to help them gain courage in order to build positive relationships, succeed academically and in other areas of life. 

Developing Social Skills 

Occupational therapy provides an environment for children to learn how to effectively interact with others by teaching developmental milestones such as cooperative play, communication, problem solving and conflict resolution. This helps build social connections critical for mental wellbeing. 

Improved Cognitive Engagement 

Occupational therapy helps children suffering from depression, anxiety and stress by increasing cognitive engagement. This can help them to stay focused on tasks, improve concentration and build a sense of purpose. 

Greater Emotional Regulation 

Through various activities, occupational therapy can help children develop healthier coping strategies by practising emotional regulation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, relaxation and visualisation exercises. These tools will help them manage their emotions in a more positive way and better cope with difficult situations. 

Finding an Occupational Therapist in Sydney 

If you’re looking for an occupational therapist in Sydney, there are a few things you should consider: 

1. Look for Experience: An experienced occupational therapist is someone who has been working in the field for many years and has seen a variety of cases.  
2. Focus on Specialties: Some therapists may specialise in certain areas such as autism, anxiety or other mental health difficulties, so make sure to check if the practitioner has experience treating your child’s particular problem. 
3. Look Beyond Techniques: An effective therapist is much more than just a set of techniques and qualifications – they should be able to build trust with your child and form a relationship with them that is both safe and productive. 

At Spring Forward, we strive to build a community of parents seeking out helpful resources to assist their children in dealing with the inevitable challenges that come with growing up.  

Paediatric Occupational Therapy at Spring Forward Family Centre 

At Spring Forward Family Centre, we believe that the power of paediatric occupational therapy lies in its ability to help children to make progress in their daily occupations such as self-care, school and play. This progress can assist your child to enhance their confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing. 

Our paediatric Occupational Therapists have expertise in areas including: 

• Regulation development 
• Fine motor development 
• Sensory Processing (including sensory integration) 
• Participation in home-, school- and community-based activities 
• Postural control & gross motor development 
• Pre-writing skills 
• Visual perceptual skills 
• Conclusion 

Occupational Therapy can be an invaluable tool to help tackle mental health challenges in children. This form of therapy helps to create a safe, supportive environment, while incorporating a range of strategies and activities to address the individual needs of each child. It helps children to build on their current strengths and self-expression while developing their daily occupational skills such as self-care, play and school participation. Through Occupational Therapy, children can learn the skills needed to build confidence, self-esteem, social skills and a general sense of wellbeing. If you’re considering Occupational Therapy for your child, you should research to identify an experienced Occupational Therapist trained in working with children and specialised in paediatric mental health. 

The post How Occupational Therapy Can Help Combat Mental Health Issues in Children first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.