Nature-Based Therapy
In an episode of the Glass Half Full podcast, Amy Seymore discusses her practice of nature-based therapy. Amy uses this therapy in her pediatric private practice with children of all diagnoses. She explains that many of the therapeutic techniques that are used in occupational therapy clinics are an "echo" of activities that children would be doing if they were just playing outdoors. For example, swinging from a trapeze vs. swinging from a tree or jumping across stepping stones vs. actual stones in a river. However, practicing these exercises indoors excludes certain elements such as wind, bright sunlight, and other noises.
Amy gives an example of working with a child who has sensory processing challenges. In this case, she would use nature-based interventions such as playing in the mud, hanging upside from a tree, or playing in water which provides extra feedback against their skin. These interventions can be graded, for example, by changing the consistency of a medium such as mud. She sets goals and uses standardized testing the same way she would in a clinic. These activities are client-centered and child driven in that the child is presented with an unstructured play opportunity and the occupational therapist is able to shape that play into a productive exercise.
This type of play can be motivating and really foster a sense of imagination. Amy also makes the point that a home exercise program should not be an added burden for a client. It is more beneficial to ask the family to practice something that fits into the natural flow of their day and asking that the child plays in this way is a great example of that.
Amy goes on to debunk possible arguments that it is impossible to work on hand writing skills in a natural environment by describing the ways in which she tackles the issues often at the core of hand writing skills. These core issues include core and postural challenges, grip strength, visual tracking, focusing on near then far points- all of which can be worked on in nature!
Finally, I appreciated Amy's discussion of some people's concern with the dangers of "rough and tumble play." She counters parent's concerns about a child playing near dangerous elements such as climbing trees, using tools, or being next to a stream by brining up the real dangers of keeping a child in doors and not playing outside. The child misses out on sensory elements and is exposed to other dangers online/TV. Whereas nature-based therapy allows for creative therapeutic exercises, exposure to sensory elements, and beneficial outcomes!
Glass Half Full: Nature-Based Therapy episode: http://glasshalffullot.com/podcast/nature-based-therapy/
Amy gives an example of working with a child who has sensory processing challenges. In this case, she would use nature-based interventions such as playing in the mud, hanging upside from a tree, or playing in water which provides extra feedback against their skin. These interventions can be graded, for example, by changing the consistency of a medium such as mud. She sets goals and uses standardized testing the same way she would in a clinic. These activities are client-centered and child driven in that the child is presented with an unstructured play opportunity and the occupational therapist is able to shape that play into a productive exercise.
This type of play can be motivating and really foster a sense of imagination. Amy also makes the point that a home exercise program should not be an added burden for a client. It is more beneficial to ask the family to practice something that fits into the natural flow of their day and asking that the child plays in this way is a great example of that.
Amy goes on to debunk possible arguments that it is impossible to work on hand writing skills in a natural environment by describing the ways in which she tackles the issues often at the core of hand writing skills. These core issues include core and postural challenges, grip strength, visual tracking, focusing on near then far points- all of which can be worked on in nature!
Finally, I appreciated Amy's discussion of some people's concern with the dangers of "rough and tumble play." She counters parent's concerns about a child playing near dangerous elements such as climbing trees, using tools, or being next to a stream by brining up the real dangers of keeping a child in doors and not playing outside. The child misses out on sensory elements and is exposed to other dangers online/TV. Whereas nature-based therapy allows for creative therapeutic exercises, exposure to sensory elements, and beneficial outcomes!
Glass Half Full: Nature-Based Therapy episode: http://glasshalffullot.com/podcast/nature-based-therapy/
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