Taking Therapy Outdoors

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After listening to Glass Half Full's "Nature- Based Therapy" podcast, I am once again amazed at how versatile and adaptable the profession of occupational therapy is. I chose this podcast not knowing it had anything to do with the pediatric population, but I quickly learned it could have great benefits on early development. Getting to the roots of occupational therapy, therapy that doesn't feel like therapy is the most beneficial. Especially for children, who shake with excitement when it's time for recess, going outside and using the environment as a makeshift therapeutic media is perfect! A child's role is to be a child and the occupations involved are playing outside, socializing with others, and learning. The learning done in the classroom is different than the learning done outside the classroom and with others. This type of learning is where occupational therapy comes in!

 I like that inside the therapy room, there is structure and routine, but there is a beautiful lesson to be learned when that is not there. Letting the child's imagination drive the therapy session while you are incorporating hidden challenges. For example, when your client is fighting imaginary bad guys with their wooden sword (stick), they are unknowingly regulating the sun in their eyes as well as the ground they are standing on, whether that be grass or a rock they are balancing on.

 There is something therapeutic about just being in nature. This podcast primarily talked about pediatric benefits, but nature- based therapy would be beneficial to anyone who enjoys being outdoors. For example, gardening may not be someone's immediate occupation of choice, but engaging in this outdoor activity could be more motivating to them simply because the sun is out and they are not in a therapy room. Meanwhile, this activity requires cognitive, fine and gross motor, and sensory regulation skills that will generalize and positively impact other parts of their life! I hope to incorporate this type of therapy in my interventions for clients of all ages!




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