What actually is OT and why do I need it?
Occupational therapy (OT) is all about helping you do the things you want and need to do in your daily life, whether it’s at school, home, or with friends. OTs can support you to build independence to go out and meet friends or managing school workload or getting a job and so much more! An OT works with you to set goals and find fun, creative ways to reach them. Basically, it’s about making everyday activities easier and more enjoyable, so you can focus on what really matters to you!
How to prepare for my first session
During your first session, the focus will likely be on getting to know each other, where your therapist may talk about your interests and goals. This well help you to work together to come up with a plan that suits your needs. Because OTs love to have fun in their sessions, you may even play some games while getting to know each other! This is a great chance for you to ask any questions you might have for your OT too!
It can be really helpful to explore the clinic’s website or social media pages before your first session, as this can give you a sense of the team, the activities you’ll be doing, and the supportive environment you’ll be stepping into. If you want to, you can even bring along a comfort item from home to make the new environment feel more familiar and comfortable for you!
Preparing for your first occupational therapy session can also make a big difference in helping you feel more comfortable and confident when first starting out at OT! Start by thinking about what you want to achieve (see below for some examples of different goal-areas). It can help to write down any questions or concerns you have to discuss with your OT. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! Your OT can work with you to brainstorm some ideas.
Setting goals: My Voice Matters
In OT, setting goals is all about you! This is your chance to share what’s important to you and what you want to achieve. Whether it’s improving your handwriting, gaining confidence in social situations, or mastering a new skill, your input shapes the therapy process. Your OT is there to listen and help you create realistic goals that match your interests and lifestyle. Some examples of goal-areas that OTs can support teenagers with include:
- Time Management: Developing skills to balance schedules and meet deadlines more effectively.
- Social Skills: Improving how to communicate, make friends, and handle different social situations.
- Self-Care: Managing personal hygiene, grooming, and everyday routines to be more independent.
- Sensory Processing: Developing an understanding of your unique sensory preferences to better manage things that could impact on your day-to-day functioning such as loud noises, textures or bright lights
- Study Skills: Picking up tips for organizing notes, studying effectively, and tackling schoolwork.
- Emotional Regulation: Finding ways to manage stress, anxiety, and emotions in a healthy way.
- Job Readiness: Preparing for the future with skills like writing a resume and navigating job interviews.
- Life Skills: Building essential skills like cooking, budgeting, and problem-solving for everyday life.
What will the sessions look like?
Each occupational therapy session will look and feel a bit different, depending on what you’re focusing on that day. Your goals will shape the activities, making each visit unique and relevant to you! If you’re someone who likes to have a consistent and predictable routine, your OT can work with you to structure sessions in a way that suits your style, while still working towards your goals. In sessions, you could get involved in some hands-on activities, like creative projects, cooking, games, or tech tasks that help you build skills while having fun. There might also be movement exercises to boost your coordination and strength, if that is something you want to work on. Depending on your focus for the session, it could be held in a clinic room, the kitchen, out in the community or even in a sensory gym! OT sessions are very function-based meaning they will likely have a practical focus on the areas of your day-to-day life that you want to improve with. Your OT will also aim to incorporate your unique interests into the sessions to keep you motivated and engaged!
Embracing the process and celebrating small wins
In occupational therapy, progress is all about the journey. It’s important to embrace each step, no matter how small. Celebrate those little wins—like organizing your backpack better or feeling more confident in social situations. Recognizing these achievements can really boost your confidence and keep you motivated. Meaningful progress often takes time, and your OT will help you see how every small win adds up to big changes. So, take pride in your progress and enjoy the ride! Keep in mind that the effort you put into the sessions directly impacts your results. Once you feel comfortable, the more you engage and share with your OT, the more likely you are to see positive changes! Remember that every step you take gets you closer to your goals, and it’s all part of your journey. Even just attending your first OT session is a significant step toward achieving those goals!
