Growing up
fostering Independence
Occupational Therapy for
Preteens + Teens + Young Adults
So, what does Occupational therapy look like for my preteen + teenager + young adult?
Executive functioning skills
Time Management, Organization, Planning Ahead, Judgment, Decision making, Trouble Shooting, Problem Solving
Does your teenager procrastinate or forget assignments, have trouble focusing in class, or seems to make poor decisions due to lack of foresight or planning? OT can address this!
Self Regulation
Improving Attention, Flexibility, Transitions from non preferred tasks, Inhibition/‘Impulse Control’, Initiation of a task, self advocacy, and age appropriate coping strategies during times of stress
Squishies, plush toys, and chewy tubes might not be the most appropriate and can be further socially isolating.
In OT, we investigate what is leading up to the “dysregulation” or stress. This can include ‘social anxiety,’ decreased sustained concentration, or sensory overwhelm. Next, we figure out which sensory inputs keep your teenager more regulated before the dysregulation occurs and mental and physical coping strategies that your teen can do at home, school, or out with friends.
Social Skills
How to make and keep friends
Noticing the subtleties of communication such as “body language,” intonation, sarcasm, eye contact, initiation and maintenance of conversation, how to deal with aggressive individuals/bullies
Teenagers can have a tough time socializing in a world where the majority spend more time in front of a screen than engaging others in real time conversation. If your teenager is a concrete thinker with sensory needs, prefers to be alone but has to engage in group activities, or needs clear pointers on how to interpret social interactions, this is for you.
Life Skills
Grooming, Personal Hygiene, Managing money, medication management, meal preparation, laundry, keeping the house tidy