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Navigating Therapy Transitions: Your Path to Growth, Health, and Adaptation

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NAVIGATING THERAPY TRANSITIONS: YOUR PATH TO GROWTH, HEALTH, AND ADAPTATION

In our previous blog posts, we discussed various life transitions, such as parenting, regulating emotions, and adapting to change. One of the most significant transitions we experience is therapy transitions, whether as therapists or clients. In this blog, we’ll explore our approach to therapy transitions and the services we offer to ensure the best outcomes for our clients and their families. 

Client-Centred Approach 

At Explore and Soar, we believe that every child’s journey is unique, which is why one of our values is “Client Adaptability.” We want to work closely with you and your child to achieve your goals and help them grow and adapt so they can engage, connect, and confidently navigate the world in their own way. As Occupational Therapists, we are privileged to help your child. However, we also understand that we are just one tool in your toolbox. Our role is to provide clinical knowledge and reasoning skills while empowering you to make informed decisions about the best path in your child’s therapy journey.

Transitioning Into Occupational Therapy 

As a parent, transitioning into health services, such as Occupational Therapy, can be overwhelming and daunting. Our mission is to make accessing services as seamless as possible, providing high-quality intervention support to help achieve your goals. 

We understand the mixed feelings that come with reaching out to us, whether through a phone call or an email. However, we are here to help and work with you. The best way to start is by having a phone conversation with us. Talking to someone and gaining clarity on the next steps can be reassuring. Depending on your individual needs, we can provide different therapy intervention options customised for each child and family’s needs. So, rest assured that we are here for you every step of the way.

Factors Considered in Therapy Recommendations

When recommending therapy supports, we consider several critical factors, including –

  • Your child’s age and development stage.
  • Motivation and ability to participate in therapy.
  • Functional goals tailored to your child’s needs.
  • Critical periods in your child’s life include early intervention and key transition periods.
  • Your family’s motivation, availability, and ability to support your child’s therapy journey.
  • The level of clinical knowledge and support required to attain the desired goals.

Based on these factors, we make clinical recommendations on the best approach for your child’s therapy journey.

Range of Therapy Options

At Explore and Soar, we use different intervention frequencies to work towards your child’s specific and diverse goals. Some goals can be achieved quickly, while others may take longer or may only partially achieve. This doesn’t mean that your child should be in therapy interventions continuously or forever.

 Regular Term-Based Appointments  

  • Regular term-based appointments are offered based on school terms. This is one of the most common intervention therapy approaches we implement. 
  • This allows for regular ongoing therapy, enabling us to check in at regular intervals to modify and adjust therapy intervention to work towards achieving an individual’s goal. 
  • Depending on the situation, we may offer either fortnightly appointments (5 sessions per term) or weekly appointments (10 sessions per term). 
  • This helps us adjust intervention recommendations for further practice and refinement at home, offering a consistent approach for both child and family to work towards goals.

Intensive Therapy

  • Intensive therapy involves a daily session for a week, with five sessions in total. 
  • This approach is ideal for clients who require a high intensity of therapy to achieve their goals or to consolidate their skills. It is particularly helpful for rapid progress and building upon existing skills.
  • Intensive appointments are an excellent opportunity for those looking to achieve a specific goal. 
  • This program consists of five one-hour therapy sessions in a week, in which we expose our clients to hundreds of repetitions of particular exercises, activities, or functional skills in a short period. 
  • This method allows for increased progress and quicker results compared to our fortnightly therapy sessions. If term appointments do not suit your family, the intensive model is an excellent alternative. 
  • This type of therapy is effective only if the client’s family fully commits to ensuring that the client attends all five sessions within the week. 
  • Following up the intensive therapy with home programming is crucial to supporting further development and consolidation of skills.

Block Therapy

  • Block therapy interventions follow a structure similar to regular term-based appointments. However, their frequency is slightly different. Instead of being assigned a weekly or fortnightly ongoing therapy session, you will be allocated a block of therapy to work on a specific goal, which may span one school term.
  • Once that block of therapy has been completed, there will be an equal-duration break from therapy, followed by re-engagement for another block of therapy in the following term. Alternatively, this could be done over two terms in a year, for instance, six months of therapy followed by six months of integration time.

School Holiday Group Programs

  • Exploring small group programs during school holidays is a fabulous way to simulate social interaction in a safe and supportive environment. 
  • These groups are designed to offer clients opportunities to practice their social skills with others. 
  • Group programs provide a platform to explore different interests, make new friends, or expand on old friendships in their local communities. 
  • Group programs offer an interactive and creative way of teaching, supporting, and achieving goals rather than one-on-one sessions with a clinician. 

Peer / Sibling Sessions

  • At times, one-on-one sessions may not provide enough challenge, while group programs may prove to be too challenging for our clients. In such cases, we find peer sessions to be the most effective therapy intervention approach.
  • Peer sessions strengthen our clients’ social relationships with family members, siblings, or other clients. These sessions can help clients build initial connections that may eventually develop into solid friendships. 
  • They are an excellent way for clients to motivate each other, work towards common goals, and learn how to encourage and support one another.

Home Programming

  • Home programming is offered as additional support for our clients to practice and improve their skills or tasks that we work on during our sessions.
  • The home program includes strategies, ideas, and activities that can help clients achieve their goals and develop new skills.
  • While we understand that our sessions are only a part of the overall support system for your child, we highly recommend completing the home programming set as it is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes in the shortest time.

Integration Time – Therapy Pauses

  • Many of our clients require a strong brain-body connection to achieve their goals. Once this connection is made, we can celebrate reaching our goal!  YAY! 
  • Not many people talk about the importance of integration time. After a goal is achieved or a skill is developed, the body needs time to process and integrate the new skill into everyday life. Have you ever learned a new skill and felt unsure of what you were doing, but later, it became second nature? That’s because your brain and body need time to integrate the skill into your lifestyle.
  • This is also true for children. Allowing time for pause and integration of new skills gives the brain and body time to practice and refine these goals. It also enables clients, families, and therapists to observe what is happening with the child, their priorities, and what additional support may be required. 
  • Alternatively, it gives our clients, families, and therapists time to observe what else is happening with the child, what is of concern, and what is a priority in achieving next. 
  • The timeframe for integration varies for each person and therapy option. For example, with intensives, there is usually a 10-week integration and skill-building period. Ongoing therapy can vary from 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on the length of appointments and required breaks.
  • Therapists are still available to provide support and check-in during the integration period. Remember that as the client or family member, you can reach out to the therapist if unexpected issues arise and receive the necessary support.

Parent Coaching Sessions

  • We understand that you play a crucial role in your child’s development as a parent or caregiver. By investing time, effort, and support in learning and implementing different strategies in your daily routine, you can become a more confident and effective caregiver. 
  • The more confident you are in implementing strategies, the more consistent you become, and the quicker positive changes occur for your child.
  • This is one of our favourite ways to support you and your whole family. We usually offer these sessions as a one-on-one appointment via face-to-face or telehealth, depending on your preference.

Understanding Family Needs

In reviewing goals for each child and family, we understand that goals are hit or life fatigue is felt; families are busy, and our world is constantly changing; therefore, you may require breaks from therapy at different times in your journey with Explore and Soar.

As so many of our families need to attend multiple services such as physio, speech, and psychology along with OT appointments on a regular basis, then add in school, other activities for the child and siblings, working parents, and the fact that families are generally time-poor we recognise the importance of flexibility and the need to support our families to see that taking a break from therapy is normal, okay and does not mean that we are ceasing to support your family. Instead, we believe it is critical to allow some breathing space for things that we may not be seeing yet to come to light so we can adapt our goals and refine our intervention. Or it may be that you and your child are ready to move to periodic check in’s where we catch up, review one specific goal, provide some ideas & strategies with home programming, and you implement them at home as you are now the key person in being able to do this.

Focus on Mental Health

At Explore and Soar, we prioritise not only your child’s mental health but also your family’s well-being. We recognise the impact of therapy transitions on mental health and aim to provide support that fosters resilience and positive outcomes.

Transitions in therapy can be challenging, but they also signify new opportunities for growth and development. At Explore and Soar, we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. If you’re ready to embark on the next phase of your child’s therapy journey, we’re here to help. When one door closes, another opens.

Thank you for joining us in exploring transitions in therapy. For more information, please get in touch with us today.

If you’d like to chat more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today! Call us on 0477 708 217 or email admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until Next Time,
Lori

PUBLISHED MAY 2024

Trembath, D., Varcin, K., Waddington, H., Sulek, R., Pillar, S., Allen, G., Annear, K., Eapen, V.,Feary, J., Goodall, E., Pilbeam, T., Rose, F., Sadka, N., Silove, N., Whitehouse, A. (2022). National guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and well-being of autistic children and their families in Australia. Autism CRC. Brisbane.

Bailes, A.F.; Reder, R., & Burch, C. (2008) Development of Guidelines for determining frequency of therapy services in a pediatric medical setting. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 20 (2), pp. 194-198.

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Life Transitions and The New Year

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LIFE TRANSITIONS AND THE NEW YEAR

Happy New Year! We hope you have enjoyed the end-of-year celebrations with some yummy food, rest and spending time doing things that bring you joy. 

Annual Theme – Life Transitions

Progressing from a year of developing Safety for Vulnerability for ourselves, our team, clients, and their families and communities has shaped us into this next phase of ‘Life Transitions’. For myself, our team, and many of our families, they are all going through new life transitions. Life transitions are powerful and have the potential to shape who you were, who you are and who you are becoming.

What are life transitions?

Life Transitions can also be described as ‘Transitional stages of life’.

It is defined by significant changes in roles, responsibilities, and routines requiring you to adapt to new circumstances. It can also involve a constant flow from one temporary state to another, resulting in each of these changes being a transition or a “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another” (Transition, 2018).

Transitions in everyday life can be meaningful or a part of everyday life. Different types of transitions, for example;

Smaller everyday life transitions:

  • Engaging in an everyday conversation – transitioning in and out of a conversation with someone.
  • Commuting to school or work – leaving home, travelling, then entering the office or school grounds.
  • Transitioning from different classrooms or from the classroom to recess and back again.

Significant Life Stage Transition:

  • Transition to preschool, Kindergarten, Year 7 and transitioning out of school.
  • Experiencing puberty. 
  • Beginning a relationship. 
  • Moving home: moving from one home to another.
  • Moving Communities: moving from one town to another.
  • Changing sporting clubs or sports.
  • Changing careers, jobs or being promoted with different responsibilities.
  • Entering the workforce.
  • Commencement of University and a significant life transition for us adults is
  • Parenthood. 

Do you have any new life transitions happening this year? Or What life transition are you experiencing or in at the moment?

This year, we have a few of our clients coming to the end of their schooling years, some making the big transition into Year 7 and others who are transitioning into Kindergarten. 

Personally, this year, I am making the new life transition into parenthood alongside my husband. A new life transition for us that you all are already on, and I am thrilled to be joining you. 

For the team, many of us are going through our own life transitions as well and have shaped many of our conversations together by sharing our experiences and different strategies that have helped us along the way.

Explore and Soar’s Life Transition

As Explore and Soar approach our sixth year with you all, we are thrilled to be growing alongside our clients and families! We are excited to be sharing with you an extension of our services and an ability to continue to support you as you continue to grow. 

For Explore and Soar, we, too, are in a new life transition; we have decided to share with you an extension of our service to continue to support our clients as they make the new step and life transition into adulthood. That transition from school to work. That transition to independence, living alone, being self-sufficient and living a meaningful and best life! We are so excited to continue to work with our clients now to the age of 24! This is an exciting opportunity for us to continue to build our occupational therapy team with therapists who are experienced in supporting our teenagers and young adults in these big life transitions!

To mark these life transitions for all of us, you will see our new Explore and Soar logos, socials and website updates, and a uniform change this coming month. We are loving these changes and are excited to share them with you. So keep an eye out, as they are coming soon!!

How Explore and Soar can help you?

Please know you are not alone; each person at different ages and stages in their lives go through different transitions based on their personal life experiences. Each of our clinicians is trained in providing strategies, interventions and support through any life transition, meaningful activity or everyday task. We love to problem solve and help no matter the question or concern. 

Each month this year, you will also have access to a different blog that will go through different life transitions, big or small and have a range of different strategies or ways to support you through those moments. 

We are always here to help in a range of different ways. If you’d like to chat more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today! 

0477 708 217 or admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Articles:

Adler, A. B & Castro, C. A. (2019). Transitions: a Theoretical Model for Occupational Health & Wellbeing. Occupational Health Science. 3:105-123.

Until next time, 
Jess

PUBLISHED JANUARY 2024

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Navigating the Transition to High School: A Parent’s Guide

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NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL: A PARENT’S GUIDE

Over the past few weeks, we have visited many of our local schools to talk to parents and families of children starting kindergarten in 2024. During these talks, we provide lots of information about how you can support your little person for a successful transition to big school. You can click here to read more about the transition to kindergarten.

We understand that your child’s journey through the educational system is filled with milestones and transitions from the very beginning; however, the preschool to kindergarten transition isn’t the only transition in our schooling lives. One of the next big milestones is transitioning from primary school to high school. 

This move can be filled with just as many emotions and feelings – excitement for finishing primary school, growing up and what lies ahead. It can also be anxiety-provoking at the thought of changing schools, changing routines and the challenge of friendship groups changing and needing to make new friendships. All of which are valid feelings and thoughts!

In this blog, we’ll explore the various challenges your child may encounter during this transition and provide practical strategies to support them as they step into high school life.

Some of the challenges your child may face could include:

  • New Friendships – Making new friends or friendship groups changing; having to be vulnerable in talking to other people we don’t know or feel comfortable around just yet.
  • New Routines – High school bell times may be slightly earlier or later; how will this impact upon the daily routines of your child?
  • New Environment – Navigating their way around a new school can be overwhelming, knowing where the toilets are, where to go for help, or where their next class is. Or even navigating their way to and from school.
  • New Rules and Expectations – Having multiple subjects with different teachers in a new school can be daunting, being unsure of what the expectations are in and out of the classroom.

So, how can we best support our children in this transition to high school?

  • Get to know the school: Talk about it; arrange additional transition days to allow your child to feel more comfortable in this new space if needed.
  • Practice any new routines:  Practice ways to get to and from high school; make sure your child knows which bus to catch or where they will be dropped off or picked up from.
  • Visual Aids: Create a visual schedule or simple checklist to determine what they must take each day. Timetables can be tricky to work out! Break it down into what they need each day and then for each subject.
  • Map out the school: Get a copy of the school map if possible and colour code important areas such as the library, toilets, canteen, office etc.
  • Prepare for Social Interaction: Create “cheat cards” for conversation starters and role-play how to introduce themself to others. Remind them that it is highly likely that other children in the group are just as nervous about making new friends as they are.
  • Time Management and Assignments: Help them schedule, plan and prioritise how to complete assignments. Keep in communication with their teachers to know when things are due and how you can support your child.
  • Advocacy: Advocate and encourage your child to advocate also for their needs! A new school means new teachers who don’t know your child’s cues or needs. Provide as much information as possible to support consistency for your child across their teachers.

As your child embarks on this exciting journey to high school, remember that you are not alone. We are here to support you. If you would like more information about our group program, click here to check out the flyer. You can also reach out to us on 0477 708 217  or admin@exploreandsoar.com.au. 

We would love to see you in our groups!

Until next time, 
Lori

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED OCTOBER 31, 2023

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Sensory Defensiveness: What is this Oversensitive and Overwhelming feeling?

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SENSORY DEFENSIVENESS: WHAT IS THIS OVERSENSITIVE AND OVERWHELMING FEELING?

Spring is upon us, but that also means we are now heading full steam ahead into some of the busiest months of the year. Term 3 is almost over; Term 4 is just around the corner, which means so is Christmas! Just the thought of that alone is overwhelming to me.

The feeling of overwhelm is sometimes linked to being a negative feeling – of being stressed or frustrated that we can not do all that we want to do. But really, we should reframe that feeling of overwhelm into a positive: What can we do to lessen our load? How can we slow down or ask for help? Maybe take a moment of mindfulness.

In our day-to-day lives, we encounter multiple sensory experiences each and every second of every minute. Sit for one minute and notice the world around you:

  • What can you hear? 
  • What can you feel?
  • What can you smell? 
  • What can you taste?
  • What can you see?

Our brain’s job is to take in all of this information and automatically sort, filter and organise that information to produce a meaningful and purposeful response in the way we move, feel or react. This is Sensory Integration. When we see difficulty in the processing of sensory information, we start to look at why this may be happening – is it difficulty with modulation or discrimination of the senses?

When we have difficulty with modulating sensory information, we may only need a small amount of information before our system becomes overwhelmed. Or we may need a large amount of information before our system even notices what is going on. Our own tolerance levels at that point in time will also impact upon our responses. We have expectations of what our response to certain sensory experiences will be – like a hug from a loved one; we expect it to feel good, not painful, or the smell of a BBQ cooking makes us hungry and excited to eat, not fearful.

But sometimes, our body links different sensations to negative experiences. And when these experiences occur, our brain goes into survival mode – fight, fright, flee or freeze. When we react to sensory input in such a way, it is called Sensory Defensiveness.

What is Sensory Defensiveness?

Sensory Defensiveness is an extreme response to sensory input from the world around you when the sensory stimuli are generally considered not threatening or harmful. This could be an aversion to touch, dislike of certain textures or foods, or poor tolerance of bright lights, loud noises or certain smells. Such defensiveness creates a roadblock to being able to do the things that you or your child want to do. It can lead to big emotions, stress and anxiety, as well as behaviour patterns such as avoiding situations or an increased need for control.

So how can OT help with Sensory Defensiveness?

OT can help by creating an individualised sensory diet to work on providing the right sensory information, in the right amount, at the right time, to allow your child to do the things they want and need to do.

Activities may include things such as:

  • DPPT – brushing protocol
  • Auditory interventions 
  • Heavy work ideas 
  • Roughhousing 
  • Oral motor strategies

Please get in touch with us if you want to know more or have any questions. We highly recommend talking with an OT about this, as everyone experiences their sensory world differently. We are here to help and work with you in supporting your child and family.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Contact us on 0477 708 217 or admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until next time,
Lori

Related Blog Posts –

Discover a treasure trove of valuable information in our diverse collection of blogs on our website. Take action now and explore the insights you’ve been seeking. Dive in!

  • Mindfulness for Parents and Carers – Discover practical tips and insights to enhance your well-being. Take a mindful journey with us – read the full article now!
  • Unpacking Sensory Processing Disorder – Unlock a deeper understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Explore valuable insights and strategies to support individuals with SPD – start reading now for knowledge and empowerment!
  • Auditory intervention – Delve into the world of Auditory Intervention. Explore the significance of sound in sensory development and discover innovative strategies for positive outcomes. Start your auditory exploration today.
  • Roughhousing – Explore how playful physical interaction can nurture growth and connections. Join the fun and learn more here.

References

Ayres, A. J., Robbins, J. (2005). Sensory Integration and the Child: Understanding Hidden Sensory Challenges. United States: Western Psychological Services.

Bhopti, Anoo & Brown, Ted. (2013). Examining the Wilbargers’ Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique for Treating Children with Sensory Defensiveness Using a Multiple-Single- Case Study Approach. Journal of Occupational Therapy Schools & Early Intervention. 6. pg 108-130. 

Kinnealey, M., Oliver, B. & Wilbarger, P. (1995). A Phenomenological study of Sensory Defensiveness in adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 49(5). pg 444-451

 Stagnitti, K., Raison, P. & Ryan, P. (1999). Sensory defensiveness syndrome: A paediatric perspective and case study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 46. pg 175-187. 

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Sleep Hygiene: Support to Improve Your Child’s Sleep

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SLEEP HYGIENE: SUPPORT TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S SLEEP

How many of our families out there dread the night-time routine, the idea to try and get the kids to settle to sleep and stay asleep? 

The millions of questions running through their minds that they need to ask you, the need for extra food, extra drink, the list goes on… 

Sleep is a common conversation we have  with our families and where the foundational understanding as to why our kids are unable to shut off and the ideas around the importance of sleep hygiene and sleep routines come into play. 

Sleep is an essential part of our everyday lives. Our bodies need sleep to stay healthy, think, move, interact, and feel our best. The way in which we work towards improving our sleep and how to manage areas that are impacting our children’s sleep is by focusing on our sleep hygiene in our day-to-day. 

What is Sleep Hygiene?

Sleep hygiene refers to quality sleep and making the  actions, habits, and necessary changes to set up a child for success in their sleep. It involves nightly routines, modifications to the environment, and daily decisions that will optimise sleep. 

How do we improve our child’s sleep hygiene?

In order to support improvements in sleep, we first need to look at the underlying reasons as to why these challenges are occurring. 

One reason for challenges in falling and staying asleep for our children can be related to the way their bodies experience and react to the world around them. Sensory stimuli such as sights, sounds, touch, spatial awareness, and body awareness can make it difficult for some children to make their bodies calm and relaxed. When children do not have sufficient body awareness and, therefore, safety within themselves, this leads to them living in a state of heightened or overwhelm, impacting their ability to calm and feel grounded enough to shut off and fall asleep, and they will do anything in their power to avoid it. 

Once this information is established, we work with our parents to identify the environment or lifestyle factors that may be affecting the consistency of the current sleep routine. Such as:

  • Is there a current routine before bed, and how consistent is it?
  • Activities completed before the night routine commences, e.g. limiting screen time
  • The bedroom environment, e.g. temperature, darkness, sounds
  • Diet close to bedtime

How can our Occupational Therapists help?

We work together and provide education to our parents and caregivers on the misconceptions and expectations of sleep and address factors that may exacerbate poor sleep quality to establish: 

  1. A predictable and smooth routine and how we can adapt the current routine for successful and ongoing implementation at home, including setting regular wake and sleep times.
  2. A bedroom environment modification that includes noise, light, temperature, and bedding that helps the child wind down and prepare for sleep.
  3. Sensory strategies that will help children regulate their bodies and prepare for sleep. This may include techniques such as individualised sensory diets.
  4. Relaxation techniques that will promote restful sleep, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
  5. Coping skills and self-regulation to facilitate the child’s capacity to relax for sleep onset.

Sleep is such a complex task. When a child is not sleeping, it impacts the entire family dynamic. Sleep is so important and can seriously impact on daily activities, from self-care to academics to social skills. 

Please reach out to us if you would like more information and support in developing a successful sleep routine. By reviewing a child’s sleep habits, providing education and guidance, and developing behavioural and sensory strategies, we can help our children get the rest they need to thrive. 

Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Contact us on 0477 708 217 or admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until next time, 
Maddie

References

https://grhsonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Basic-Sleep-Hygiene-Guidelines.pdf

https://thespiralfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Sleep-and-SI-brochure_final.pdf

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 2, 2023

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