This Occupational Therapy Week we want to celebrate the crucial role that Occupational Therapy plays in our integrated therapy model.
In paediatric healthcare, no one professional discipline works in isolation. When a child faces developmental or health challenges, an integrated approach involving multiple services can provide the best care and achieve better results. Occupational therapy (OT) is a crucial player in this team, working closely with disciplines like psychology, speech pathology, and dietetics to support children and families in reaching their full potential. By focusing on a child’s ability to perform daily tasks, OT bridges the gap between therapeutic goals and practical, everyday functioning.
Occupational Therapy and Psychology
Psychology is an essential service for children who experience emotional, social, or behavioural difficulties. Whether a child needs support with life changes, is navigating a mental health condition, or is looking for a psychological assessment, psychological services often focus on emotional regulation, coping strategies, and improving mental health outcomes. Occupational Therapy plays a critical role in translating these mental health goals into actionable skills within a child’s daily life.
1. Bridging Therapy with Real-Life Skills
Psychologists often teach children coping mechanisms such as deep breathing or mindfulness. Occupational therapists take these strategies and integrate them into the child’s daily routines. For instance, if a child struggles with anxiety in social situations, an occupational therapist might simulate a classroom or playground scenario and guide the child through using relaxation techniques during play or social interaction. This hands-on approach helps children generalise the skills they learn in therapy to real-world environments, enhancing their overall emotional and psychological well-being.
2. Emotional Regulation through Sensory Integration
Many children with psychological difficulties struggle with sensory processing, which can lead to emotional dysregulation. For example, children with anxiety may be hyper-responsive to certain sensory stimuli, such as loud noises or bright lights, which can trigger overwhelming emotions. Occupational therapists work to develop strategies and tailor environments to desensitise children to these triggers and manage their sensory input.
For neurodivergent children (eg. Autistic individuals or children with ADHD), Occupational Therapy can help in developing self-regulation strategies using a sensory lens that are directly aligned with psychological goals. OTs use techniques like deep-pressure activities, movement breaks, or sensory toys to help children manage their energy levels, reduce impulsivity, and remain calm, supporting the behavioural interventions psychologists often recommend.
Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology
Speech Pathologists work with children and young people to overcome communication and swallowing difficulty; whether the goal is to address language delays, social communication challenges, or swallowing and feeding difficulties. Occupational therapy complements speech pathology by focusing on the broader context in which communication takes place—helping children develop the fine motor, sensory, and cognitive skills necessary for effective development.
1. Improving Fine Motor Skills
Many communication tasks rely on fine motor skills. For example, children who use alternative communication devices, or children who are learning to eat independently, need to develop precise motor control. Occupational therapists work closely with speech pathologists to strengthen a child’s fine motor abilities, enabling them to use these tools more effectively.
OTs may introduce tools such as computers or speech-generating devices, or specialised cutlery or adaptive utensils designed to improve a child’s grip and control. By incorporating such equipment into therapy, OTs ensure that children are empowered to progress in both communication and feeding skills in practical, meaningful ways.
2. Enhancing Social Communication through Play
Play is an essential tool for developing social communication skills in children. Occupational therapists use play-based interventions to enhance the social skills targeted in speech therapy. Whether practicing turn-taking in a game or engaging in pretend play that requires verbal exchanges, OT encourages the use of language in fun, low-pressure environments. This not only supports the development of communication skills but also fosters social interaction and engagement with peers—key goals in speech pathology.
Occupational Therapy and Dietetics
Nutrition plays a critical role in a child’s development, and for children with feeding difficulties, dietitians are often the primary specialists. However, occupational therapy provides essential support in helping children build the physical and sensory skills needed for successful eating. Whether a child has difficulty with textures, self-feeding, or oral motor control, OT and dietetics work hand in hand to ensure that nutritional goals are met.
1. Developing Motor Skills for Self-Feeding
Occupational therapy supports the development of the motor skills required for independent eating. Some children may struggle with holding utensils, bringing food to their mouths, or chewing and swallowing effectively. Occupational therapists help these children develop the necessary strength, coordination, and motor control to feed themselves. This not only supports the child’s independence but also ensures that they are consuming the necessary nutrients, as outlined by the dietitian.
Speech pathology also plays a huge role in this process, and as mentioned above a collaborative effort from Occupational therapy, speech pathology and dietetics can create a positive and healthy mealtime experience for children.
2. Creating Positive Mealtime Routines
Mealtime can be a source of stress for families when children have feeding difficulties. Occupational therapists work with families to create structured, positive mealtime routines that encourage healthy eating behaviours. By addressing both the sensory and motor challenges of eating, OT helps children feel more comfortable during meals, which in turn supports the nutritional goals established by dietitians. This collaborative approach ensures that children develop healthy eating habits in a supportive and stress-free environment.
A Collaborative Approach for Comprehensive Care
Occupational therapy, when combined with psychology, speech pathology, and dietetics, offers a holistic approach to child development. By focusing on practical, day-to-day functioning, OT helps children apply the skills they learn in therapy to their real lives. Whatever support a child and their family are looking for, Occupational Therapy can often be the key to success. Our Occupational therapists ensure that therapeutic goals are functional and meaningful for each child.
The integrated approach underscores the importance of teamwork in paediatric care, showing that when therapists collaborate, children receive the comprehensive, well-rounded support they need to thrive.
