Occupational Therapy doesn't have to be in a clinic. It doesn't have to be withdrawing your child from their classroom to work one on one to develop their fine motor skills. It doesn't have to be in a sensory gym to meet their sensory needs.
My favourite way of "doing" Occupational Therapy is listening to parents. It's hearing about your child, your story, your experience.
I often see parents who *think* they need OT because somebody told them they do, or because their child "has sensory", or they have the funding and that's what they feel they should do. So Occupational Therapy intervention can become a bit of a thing that is thrown into the mix with speech, physio and psychology, particularly if you have a child with a disability. This can often lead to parents trying to do ALL THE THINGS for their child.
And who doesn't want to do every possible thing they can for their child, right?!
For me, Occupational Therpay is about getting to know your unique situation. You are the most important person in your child's world. You are with them most of the time.
This is why my focus is often on parents. Parent coaching is an enormously valuable tool in the OT tool box. Supporting you, as a parent, building your capacity, and empowering you, has huge benefits for your child, and your parenting relationship. Parent coaching:
Is family centred - looking at your family's strengths and needs and helping you clarify what you'd like to see for your family, and making plans to work toward this.
Puts you/your child in the driving seat. We look at what is important to you and your child. This is an 'expert model' of intervention where I tell you all the things you "should" do. Rather, I walk alongside you, helping you to see things more clearly and identify solutions.
Is solutions focused - I often ask "How would you like it to be?". That can be our starting point so we both know where we are headed.
focuses on functional, practical goals - the things that are going to make difference in you and your child's life.
Can come out on top when considering cost/benefit. Not just the financial cost- but think about the time to taxi your child to and from appointments, to transition them in/out of the car and to manage any behaviours that stem from this. The benefits of having a clear goal, and some simple, actionable, small steps to work towards in your daily life, can be huge!
And that's what I am all about - supporting children through those who love them.
If you're interested in more about parent coaching, book a free chat here.
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