Answering Parents Questions

Many times during my first appointment with new clients and their parents I am asked a lot of questions.  And rightfully so!  What is OT, why was I referred here, how is this going to help my child, I cannot make sense of all that is going on with them, how can I best support them?  These are very common questions.  I felt it appropriate to take some time and share the common answers to these questions to help parents out there who are considering therapy but don't really know what it is all about.  Especially given that I often hear right after they start services, I wish we had done this sooner OR this all makes so much more sense to me know.

1. What is OT?  Being an OT, I could write a book about that so I will try to keep it short.  Occupational Therapy focuses on the skills for the job of living.  Yep, that simple.  So what does that mean for a child?  What are their jobs?  Self-care, school and play.  Yes, I said play, because it is their job.  Play skills are the foundation for future development and growth in physical skills, social skills and executive functioning.  Occupational therapy looks at the different components that are required to complete these tasks, such as strength, coordination, sensory integration, motor planning, fine/gross motor skills, visual motor and cognition.  Once we identify the child's strengths and weaknesses in these areas we work toward building on the strengths, improving the weaknesses and providing compensatory strategies to allow for success where appropriate.

2. How is this going to help my child?  Occupational therapists are specially trained to break down tasks, manipulate activities and create safe learning environments that continually are modified and progress with your child's increasing successes.  OT's will provided compensatory strategies for activities that remain difficult until remedied.  We will work on areas that require specialized techniques to work towards the child's modulation, attention, social skills, self-regulation and ability to carryover skills in a variety of environment.s We provide take away activities and education for continued carryover and development at home.  OT's will collaborate with other healthcare professionals and teachers to allow for continuity of approaches and continued advancement in skills.

3. How can I best support my child?  I am a very strong believer of a therapeutic relationship between both the child and the parent with the OT.  You should have trust in your therapist and what they are asking you to implement and try at home.  Asking lots of questions is welcome and you should not feel that you are bothering the therapist.  Most therapists will allow for a meeting time at the end of the session for a review of the session, activities for home and time to ask questions.  Use this time.  I always encourage my families to email me in between sessions with any questions or concerns that may arise. If your child needs an IEP or 504 plan learn what your rights are and what you should expect at these meetings and plans.

These are just some of the questions that are asked by parents.  All answers will be more specific to your child, their needs and your expectations when you get started with therapy.  Hopefully this helps to take the mystery out of OT!