How do you assess my child in Nature?
Our assessment process may take place over 1-2 of your 50-minute sessions. We focus on clinical observation and shorter standardized assessments in order to understand your child’s OT needs. We also often have parents & caregivers fill out standardized questionnaires to help us better understand their child’s unique characteristics. Examples of these include Sensory Profiles and the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting (PEGS) system. The PEGS allows children to report their perceived competence in everyday activities. It helps them identify activities they find challenging and set goals for activities they want to work on. Your OT will then create a treatment plan to address 1-2 of your child’s goals over the 3-month quarter. We take a family centred approach to ensure that the goals are as important to the child as they are to the parents/caregivers.
What are the benefits of nature for children?
Spending time in nature promotes physical, mental, and social-emotional health and well-being. The benefits of nature for kids are endless! Natural environments have been shown to reduce stress, promote emotional well-being and resilience, and support cognitive functioning and self-regulation. Natural environments are also associated with increased attention and concentration, and increased opportunities for sensory engagement and imaginative play.
A group or private session will begin with some getting to know each other activities and sharing of a visual schedule so the participants know what to expect. A session may include a hike, stopping along the way to explore and chat, building a structure together, reading a story filled with emotional characters, tracing leaves, building a small raft, painting a tree, playing tug of war, practicing yoga and mindfulness or creating an obstacle courses. The possibilities in nature are really endless and children are so enthralled.
What does a nature therapy session look like? What will my child be doing?
It is recommended that you drop your child at the therapy location and return at the end of their session. Results of the session will always be shared to keep you informed of your child’s progress. Once we have identified goals and begin working on them we will often invite a parent/caregiver to join in on part of a session. Parent education is a key part of ensuring transfer of learning into the home and school environments. We can also plan sessions (phone/video/group meet-ups) that are just for the parent to counsel them through approaches and answer questions.
Can I drop off my child(ren) and pick them up at the end of their therapy session?
Some extended health insurance plans will provide coverage for OT services. If services are not covered clients are encouraged to contact their employer and the insurance company through which their policy is held. Here is a sample letter to the employer and sample letter to the insurance company that may be used to advocate for OT coverage.
We have outsourced a number of grant opportunities that can provide financial support for your child to experience nature therapy. Click here to access our funding resource document.
How is Occupational Therapy funded?