Wellness and wellbeing in young children

Combatting the increased demand for occupational therapists

Some children and young people have had a pretty rough time over the past couple of years, with the consequences of missed opportunities for social interaction and physical development only now becoming apparent.

We know that young people can become disillusioned and disengaged when they struggle with things their peers appear to be able to manage easily, like riding a bike or tying their shoelaces. However, making small adjustments to ensure success can foster self-efficacy and build a young person’s confidence to try new things.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists spoke to nearly 350 occupational therapists and found unmistakable evidence of a rising demand and not enough staff to meet this need. 85% of occupational therapists reported that demand for their services had increased since July 2021, with 65% saying that children are presenting more complex physical, learning and mental health needs.

Whilst we continue to engage with the government, and in light of the increased demand, RCOT identified some small, positive steps that people can take to overcome challenges and help lift up their everyday life. I’m delighted to share some of these with you now: If a child is struggling to use scissors, use ‘thumbs up’ as a reminder of the correct holding position, and practice snipping straws or narrow strips of paper before attempting to cut forwards along a line. If children feel anxious or overwhelmed by having too much to do, break tasks down into manageable chunks. Help them prioritise tasks and decide how much time is needed for each. Being able to tick items off as they are completed will encourage a sense of achievement in children. Having a list also helps to reduce the worry that something important may be forgotten. When teaching a child to tie their shoelaces, tie two different coloured laces together. This makes it easier to give instructions and for the child to identify each lace, so they can see one lace wrapping over the other when they practise. Of course, some children will need more personalised help to master activities they want and need to carry out in their daily lives. But simple OT Life Hacks such as these serve as an excellent starting point, and can help build children’s confidence and motivation to tackle new challenges as they progress through life.

DR. SALLY PAYNE, children’s occupational therapist

www.rcot.co.uk

TURN BACK TO PAGE 38 to read about a boy’s dancing dream!