10 Ways OTs Help with Successful Transitions

Experienced Pediatric Occupational Therapists provide support to families and children during times of transition. The current environment with COVID19, with kids learning at home or in hybrid environments has created a major life changes, and going back to school (in whatever climate) is hard on so many families. Here are 10 ways that OTs provide support during transitions in general, which we're now applying and adapting during the pandemic.

1. Help with successful adjustments to remote, in-person and hybrid learning environments
2. Create opportunities for positive peer interactions
3. Ensure that a family’s needs and wants are addressed in the transition-planning and implementation processes
4. Create positive relationships to support consistent expectations for skill development and information exchange during the transition process
5. Teach specific skills to help the child meet the expectations of the new environment
6. Provide assessment and training in how to use high-tech and low-tech devices to support independence in activities of daily living, play, school work or paid work
7. Improving daily living routines (activities of daily living and independent living skills)
8. Break down and teach students with disabilities the steps for completing tasks and routines needed to achieve the highest possible levels of independence, such as dressing, hygiene, and meal preparation
9. Help students to identify ways to establish healthy daily routines
10. Address sensory processing challenges with recommendations for sensory-based accommodations in school settings