OTs work with individuals across the lifespan. When a child becomes an adolescent, activity, social, and physical demands become more advanced and require a different set of skills.
This blog is going to discuss the important treatment areas an OT can work on with adolescent clients!
Driving
- An important life skill that requires physical, mental, and social demands from the adolescent.
- Required Skills: coordination, attention, concentration, impulsivity training, visual-perceptual skills, muscle tone, etc.
- An OT will work with adolescents who wish to drive with physical conditions and other diagnoses such as autism or ADHD.
- OT treatment sessions may focus on:
- Completing an activity analysis of driving
- Readiness assessment
- Ensure the client can drive independently and safely within their community
Academic Deficits
- School OTs will work with clients who have ADHD, autism, physical disabilities, fine/gross motor deficits, etc.
- The OT can assist with:
- Locker, class work, and general school organization skills
- Mapping out the best route to improve punctuality in class
- Environmental modifications to improve attention/concentration
- Different writing utensils, pencil grips, and paper for fine motor and visual deficits
- Assistive technology eligibility
- Social support
Prevocational Skills
- In a school or outpatient setting an OT can work with adolescents on prevocational/vocational skills.
- The client will fill out different questionnaires and explore different options post high school based on current diagnosis and skill set.
- They will explore different vocational interests, skills, and strengths/weaknesses to enter the workforce.
- The OT may train the client in:
- Advocacy
- Social skills
- Workplace problem solving skills
- Communication (with boss, coworkers, and customers)
- Activity analysis of a specific job to assess environmental modifications
- Arrange for the client to join a prevocational transitional program after high school
Mental Health
- OTs can work with adolescents with mental health conditions in the school system, outpatient facility, or community setting.
- Treatment sessions may range from individual to group sessions.
- OT treatment session may focus on:
- Social anxiety/social skills
- Depression/anxiety/suicidal thoughts
- Eating disorders
- Self expression through art and group tasks
- Stress management/ Positive coping skills
