Transitions Made Easier

                       

One of the most frequently occurring topics I have been approached by parents with is how they can help their child with overall transitions. As a therapist, I have encountered many instances where a child has a difficult time transitioning not only in the clinic but in a classroom, home, and social setting with their peers. 

The most important factors to remember are time and consistency. With time, the child will adapt and become flexible to the changes and transitions occurring. A key word that is frequently talked about here at AKT is FLEXIBILITY. This is a term we use often in occupational, speech, and physical therapy. 

Throughout our life span we learn to become flexible and adaptable with time. This starts at a young age when the introduction to new challenges and new experiences are presented. Growth and development encompass flexibility. With time, transitions become easier and we learn to adapt to the changes we are faced with. However, as much as flexibility is important, consistency is important too in the sense of continuing to expose children to various scenarios in which they experience change leading to transitions and flexibility. This will help in the ease of transitions decreasing any behavioral outbursts that may occur whether it is fear from separating from the parent or overall difficulty transitioning to various environments or tasks.

There are a few ways in which we can help children with their overall ability to transition. As mentioned above, exposure is a key component to learning how to effectively transition throughout various environments. The more a child is exposed to various environments, the more adaptable they become. One great way to help with transitions is a visual schedule. This provides the child with guided times and expectations of transitions in various directed activities. This is a great resource to incorporate at home as well to help with transitioning between day to day tasks. For example; a morning to afternoon schedule focusing on the task for the day such as getting dressed, school, time for homework. This provides clear expectations for the child as well as a visual reference for them to refer back to. Another way to help your child with transitions is to provide a timer. For example; if a task is concluding and your child has a difficult time ending the task, a timer is a great way to provide those visual and auditory clues that the task has concluded and it is time to move on. This may be used for activities and self care tasks as well as the utilization of a visual schedule.

Occupational, physical, and speech therapy have incorporated strategies to assist all of our patients and their families with transitions to maximize the outcomes across all environments. If you have any further questions in regards to helping your child with transitions, please feel free to reach out to the AKT team! 

Melissa R. Pueschel

COTA/L