School & Preschool Consultations

Children can experience different strengths and challenges depending on their environment. A child who is comfortable and regulated in the therapy room may respond very differently to the sensory, social and learning demands of a preschool or school setting.

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Kids World Paediatric Therapy offers school and preschool consultations to help our occupational therapists better understand how a child participates within their everyday educational environment and provide practical strategies to support them.

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Our therapists use the DIR® model (Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based) to guide their observations and recommendations. This means we consider the child's Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities, individual sensory and motor processing differences, relationships and environment to better understand what may be supporting or affecting their participation.

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Observing Your Child in Their Educational Environment

 

With parent or carer consent, your child's occupational therapist can visit their daycare, preschool or school to observe them within their usual environment.

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Rather than relying only on reports of what happens at school, an observation allows the therapist to see how the child manages the everyday demands of the setting.

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Using a DIR® approach, the therapist considers not only what the child is doing, but also their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs) – including their ability to regulate and engage, connect with others, participate in back-and-forth communication, problem-solve and manage increasingly complex interactions.

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Depending on the reason for the visit, the therapist may observe areas such as:

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• Participation and engagement in classroom activities

• Sensory responses to the environment

• Emotional regulation

• Attention and transitions

• Social participation and interactions with peers

• Motor skills and participation in physical activities

• Fine motor and classroom tasks

• Organisation and independence

• Self-care and daily routines

• The physical and sensory demands of the environment

 

The purpose is not to assess a child's behaviour in isolation, but to understand the interaction between the child, the activity and the environment.

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Understanding the "Why"

 

Observing a child at preschool or school can provide valuable information about why particular situations may be easier or more challenging for them.

 

For example, difficulties participating in a classroom activity may relate to sensory demands, motor planning, attention, communication, emotional regulation, the complexity of the task or the environment itself.

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Using the DIR® model helps our therapists look beyond the behaviour we can see to consider the developmental, sensory, motor, emotional, relational and environmental factors that may be contributing to it.

 

Understanding these factors helps the occupational therapist identify strategies that respond to the child's individual needs rather than simply focusing on the behaviour being observed.

 

Working With Educators

 

Following an observation, the occupational therapist can collaborate with the educators and other staff supporting your child.

 

This may include discussing what was observed, helping staff understand the child's individual developmental and sensory profile, and recommending practical strategies that can be incorporated into the educational environment.

Strategies are individualised and may include adjustments to the environment, movement or sensory supports, approaches to transitions, visual supports, changes to the way tasks are presented, or strategies to support regulation, participation and independence.

 

Connecting Therapy With Everyday Life

 

Skills developed during occupational therapy need to be useful beyond the therapy room.

 

School and preschool consultations help connect what we learn about a child during therapy with their experiences in an educational setting. They can also provide therapists with information that helps guide future occupational therapy sessions.

 

Working collaboratively with families and educators supports a more consistent understanding of the child across the different environments in which they live, learn and participate.

 

When Might a School or Preschool Visit Be Helpful?

 

A consultation may be useful when:

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• A child is experiencing challenges at preschool or school that are not evident during clinic-based therapy

• Parents or educators would like help understanding factors affecting a child's participation

• The therapist would benefit from observing the child within their classroom or playground environment

• Practical strategies or environmental adjustments are needed

• A child is experiencing difficulty with transitions, regulation, attention, motor tasks or participation with peers

• Greater collaboration between the family, therapist and educational team would be helpful

 

Your child's occupational therapist can discuss whether an observation or consultation is likely to provide useful information for their ongoing therapy.

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Professional Development for Schools & Preschools

 

In addition to consultations relating to individual children, Kids World Director and Occupational Therapist Georgina Ahrens provides professional development workshops for schools, preschools and early childhood services.

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Georgina's workshops draw on the DIR® model and neuro-affirming practice to help educators develop a deeper understanding of child development, Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities, individual processing differences, emotional regulation and the “why” behind behaviour, with practical approaches that support regulation, engagement, relationships and participation within educational environments.

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Professional development can be tailored to the needs of individual schools and services.

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Professional Development for Educators →

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Enquire About a School or Preschool Consultation

 

If your child currently attends Kids World and you would like to discuss whether a school or preschool observation may be helpful, please speak with your child's occupational therapist.

Schools and preschools interested in professional development for their staff are welcome to contact Kids World to discuss their needs.