Goal setting is a key stage of the client journey at Occupational Therapy Helping Children and an essential component of what Occupational Therapists call ‘The OT Process’. Without occupation-centred goals, what is the aim of an Occupational Therapy session? How will outcomes be measured? Will the child be motivated to attend weekly or fortnightly therapy sessions? How will the family and therapist know when it is the appropriate time to cease therapy?
Goals Defined
A goal is defined as a desired result that an individual or group, aims to achieve.
Occupation-centred goals are goals that have everyday activities and occupations at the centre of the goal.
Goals vary from child to child. One child may share with their OT that they are struggling to tie their shoelaces, whereas another child may express difficulty keeping up with their peers in handwriting tasks. At OTHC, every client will have the opportunity to collaborate with their OT and set goals that are meaningful to them and related to their daily occupations.
Goal Setting Process at OTHC
When starting your therapy journey at OTHC, the first step is to conduct a parent planning meeting. During this session, the Occupational Therapist will gather essential background information on the child’s strengths, challenges, medical history and all functional activities of daily living.
Next, the Occupational Therapist will facilitate a discussion around goal setting with the parents. Many parents and teenagers will already have goals in mind before coming to therapy, however many also benefit from a collaborative goals discussion with an Occupational Therapist.
The Occupational Therapist will have a further discussion about goals with children and teenagers during their first session. This ensures that the goals are client-centred and meaningful to the clients.
The Occupational Therapist will assist in breaking down large goals into achievable smaller goals, all whilst keeping it occupation-based and of value to the client.
At OTHC, we have adapted the COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) to assist in documenting and measuring goals. The COPM is a client-centred outcome measure that is designed to capture an individual’s occupational performance in all three occupational domains; self-care, leisure and productivity.
A final copy of the goals is provided either via email or hard copy to clients and their families. To help ensure all Occupational Therapy sessions are targeted towards the clients’ goals, goals are listed in the session notes and uploaded in the client’s file.
SMART Goal Setting
The SMART goal setting framework is used at OTHC to ensure all goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. By using this acronym as a guide, Occupational Therapists can ensure that all necessary information is included to form a well-written goal.
Specific – What do I want to achieve?
Measurable – How will I know when it is achieved?
Achievable – Will I be able to achieve it?
Relevant – Does this seem worthwhile?
Timebound – When will it be achieved?
Example of goals using the SMART format:
Johnny will develop his self-care skills by independently tying his shoelaces by the end of Term 1 2023.
Johnny will improve his performance in handwriting activities by sustaining a tripod pencil grasp in 3 out of 4 handwriting activities, by the end of Term 2 2023.
Johnny will improve his flexibility by being able to adapt to changes in plans and routines with occasional adult support, by the end of Term 3 2023.
Benefits of Goal Setting
There are many benefits of goal setting both to Occupational Therapists and to clients. These include:
- Increases mental wellbeing and self-esteem as clients are targeting activities and occupations that matter most to them
- Improves client engagement and motivation to attend therapy sessions
- Improves client engagement and motivation to complete therapy activities in the home environment
- Provides opportunity for recognition and achievement
- Assists Occupational Therapists to provide highly targeted interventions
- Assists in providing a realistic timeframe for goal achievement
Collaborative goal setting is an essential component of the client journey at Occupational Therapy Helping Children. The ultimate aim is to enable clients to engage in daily occupations or activities that are meaningful to them. Client-centred goal setting is where it all begins!
If you would like to learn more about goal setting or the client journey at Occupational Therapy Helping Children, please call us on 9913 3823 or email hello@occupationaltherapy.com.au.
