Reclaiming Autonomy through Occupational Therapy
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Independence
In the green gardens of Prakriti, a special morning assembly celebrates Christmas. Amidst the festive cheer stands a 5-year-old, her small frame bundled up in winter clothes. Just a short while ago, she struggled with tactile defensiveness, making her averse to winter clothing and hesitant to explore new foods. Today, she embraces the joys of the season with confidence, a transformation credited to the focused intervention of Occupational Therapy. This is the story of resilience, the triumph of therapy, and inclusion at Prakriti.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare service that focuses on helping an individual regain or improve their ability to do the activities they want and need to do in everyday life. These activities, also known as occupations, can include things like:
Self-care: Helping learners become more independent with daily tasks like dressing, using the bathroom, washing hands, brushing teeth etc.
Play: This might involve improving fine motor skills for manipulating toys, gross motor skills for active play, or social skills for playing with peers.
Schoolwork: This could involve improving fine motor skills for writing, visual motor skills for copying from the board, or organizational skills for managing homework.
Addressing Developmental Challenges:
Every child develops at their own pace, but some may face challenges with everyday activities like playing, dressing, or keeping up in school. OT team at Prakriti steps in to bridge these gaps by addressing the developmental challenges, in the following areas:
Fine motor skills: An OT can help children who struggle with grasping objects, using utensils, writing, or manipulating tools like scissors or buttons.
Gross motor skills: Challenges with coordination, balance, strength, and endurance can be addressed through OT. This can improve a child's ability to participate in physical activities like running, jumping, or playing sports.
Sensory processing: Some children have difficulty processing sensory information from their environment (touch, sound, sight, smell, taste, vestibular, proprioceptive and interception ). This can lead to behavioral issues or difficulty focusing. An OT can help them understand and manage these sensory inputs.
Overall, OT helps children develop the skills they need to participate fully in all aspects of their lives, fostering independence, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.
Occupational therapy offers a range of specialized techniques to address these needs. Whether it's regaining strength after an injury, improving communication in autism, or refining motor skills, occupational therapy empowers children to reach their full potential.
Social Interaction: OT can help them develop social skills, understand social cues, and participate more fully in social settings.
Occupational therapy offers a range of specialized techniques
to address these needs. Whether it's regaining strength after an injury, improving communication in autism, or refining motor skills, occupational therapy empowers children to reach their full potential.
Techniques and areas of focus within Occupational Therapy (OT) for children at Prakriti:
Muscular rehabilitation for children: Helps regain muscle strength and movement in children after weakness or injury. (e.g., therapy for muscular dystrophy)
Sensory integration approach(S.I): Improves how children process sensory information (sight, touch, sound) for better daily function.
Early intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Support services for children with autism spectrum disorder, implemented early to improve communication, social skills, and learning. (e.g., speech and occupational therapy).
Motor development: The natural progression of a child's ability to control movement, from walking to using utensils.
Oral Placement Therapy(OPT): Exercises to improve tongue and lip positioning for clearer speech and safer swallowing.
Neurodevelopmental Technique(NDT): NDT is a specialized approach used in occupational therapy (OT) to help children with movement dysfunction. It focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, and motor skills by retraining abnormal movement patterns.
Success Stories
Nirbhay's Journey
Nirbhays's world seemed overwhelming at 3.7 years old. Limited eye contact, no response to his name, and anxieties around heights and playtime made daily activities challenging. But occupational therapy stepped in to help! After just 6-7 months, Nirbhay's progress was remarkable. He's now comfortable in different sensory environments, a key hurdle to overcome. He happily responds to his name, makes eye contact, and follows instructions – a big win for communication! He's even mastered independent cycling, showcasing improved motor skills. This incredible transformation landed him a spot in the blue group, a testament to his hard work and the power of occupational therapy. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of Occupational Therapy.
Ayesha's Confidence Soars
Ayesha, a Grade 3 learner, joined us last year, struggling with low self-esteem, confidence, and difficulties in peer interaction and academics. With the compassionate guidance of our Occupational Therapy services, Ayesha has made remarkable strides. She has not only built strong friendships and gained confidence but has also become fully independent in her studies and daily activities. Ayesha's journey is a shining example of the transformative impact of Occupational Therapy, and her happiness and progress are a source of inspiration for us all.
Rajans's Unleashed Potential
Rajan's arrival in our second-grade class a few months ago was a whirlwind of energy. While his enthusiasm was infectious, hyperactivity and restlessness made daily tasks and learning a challenge. Occupational therapy became the key to unlocking his potential. An assessment revealed retained primitive reflexes, developmental milestones typically integrated in infancy, that were impacting his motor skills. Personalized therapy combining reflex integration and sensory integration addressed these root causes. The results are incredible! Rajan is making significant progress in both gross and fine motor skills, mastering age-appropriate tasks, and gaining independence. His confidence is soaring, so much so that he's already transitioned to the third grade! We're thrilled with his progress and excited to see him continue to shine!
Ridant finds his balance
At 8 years old, Ridant faced challenges in his third-grade class at Prakriti School. Difficulty with body control, weak core muscles, and struggles with balance and coordination made tasks like sitting upright and participating in activities difficult.
Thankfully, occupational therapy stepped in to help Ridant! Through a combination of muscular rehabilitation and sensory integration approaches, Ridant made significant progress over four months. His core muscles strengthened, his posture improved, and his balance and coordination abilities flourished. These improvements weren't just physical. Ridant was able to participate in his classes more efficiently, and with newfound confidence, he successfully transitioned from third to fourth grade!
*Names and identifying details in this conversation have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Notes from Parents
"My son has been receiving Occupational Therapy at Prakriti School for almost a year. His therapists, Swati didi and Vikas bhaiya, not only focus on improving his sensory needs but also put a huge emphasis on bolstering his individual strengths. Before joining OT at Prakriti School, his eye contact and response to names were very poor. He also had difficulty with joint attention and following instructions, which has greatly improved with the help of his therapists. To channel his hyperactivity in a positive manner, many physical exercises and weight training programs are introduced in his sessions, which has improved his muscular tone and pressure-applying skills that are very useful in performing daily activities. His acceptance of new activities and tools has greatly improved from last year, which is helping him become more independent in daily tasks. Their focus on fine motor skills is making him better at writing activities. His therapists also helped him ride a scooter and bicycle by helping him overcome his fear of heights and maintain body balance. My child has grown in a way that he never would have at another school due to this excellent, individualized, and warm environment. His therapists are highly educated, thoughtful, and nurturing. They understand his challenges and sensory needs excellently, as well as the tools and strategies needed to meet those challenges. My son has been so lucky to have such a supportive environment. We cannot recommend the OT team at Prakriti School highly enough!"
We had an interaction with the team wrt our child’s progress today. It gives me immense pleasure to write this mail of appreciation and gratefulness to the entire team at Prakriti for nurturing my child since her first day at school... can't thank the team enough…
A biiigg thankyou to Madhumita Didi, Tanu didi, OT Team- Swati didi and Vikas Bhaiya. We have seen immense improvement in our child over the years. Thank You so much for all your support and guidance.
As this academic year comes to an end, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the care and dedication you've shown to my child. Your support has made a positive impact on her.
Your passion for what you do shines through!
Thanks a lot !
After a number of therapists and centers, I can only say that I wish I had found Prakriti sooner! for my son.
Thank you for the excellent sessions you are giving to our son. Not only were the sessions excellent, but the atmosphere of kindness and joy ministered to help him gain the touch of emotion as well. Swati ma'am being such an amazing person handling him so well with all his mood swings is commendable. Thank you and looking forward to the improvement we see in him day by day.
Kudos to Prakriti for making these services available in the most crucial years. And to Dr Swati Sharma's team for enabling children to experience wholesome joy