As someone who has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for almost thirty years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and anxieties that children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) face every single day. Whether it’s the result of some form of abuse, neglect, or because the child has experienced a traumatic accident, the impact of that trauma on children can be significant, affecting their overall well-being, emotional development, social relationships, and even academic success. That’s why it’s crucial for parents, caregivers, and professionals to stay vigilant about possible warning signs, so that they can provide the child with the necessary support and resources to help them continue to grow.
While it’s important to keep in mind that not all experiences of trauma will lead to PTSD, there are certain signs and indications that we look for when we suspect a child has gone through something difficult. Traumatic experiences can leave lasting imprints on their minds, resulting in emotional and behavioral difficulties. They might struggle with heightened anxiety, have nightmares or flashbacks, become irritable, or find it hard to concentrate. Children often aren’t old enough to articulate their experiences and talk through them like grownups would, and so they tend to feel the anxiety and distress caused by the event much more intensely. All of these issues make it tough for them to grow and reach their full potential.
So, how can occupational therapy address these challenges? Fortunately, pediatric occupational therapists (including myself), who specialize in working with children are trained to address and treat their unique needs. Specifically, by taking a holistic approach to therapy and looking at physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional challenges,we can help children overcome these obstacles. That includes doing things like sensory-based activities to help regulate emotions, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques to manage stress, creative projects to encourage emotional expression, play therapy to process trauma, social skills development to enhance relationships, and self-care and life skills training to restore a sense of control and independence.
A lot of people take for granted or even overloop the importance of play in healing. The truth is, play is an incredibly powerful tool in pediatric occupational therapy, because it’s a natural and enjoyable activity for children that promotes engagement, learning, and development. The aim of introducing a comprehensive, personalized group of OT interventions is to create a supportive environment that promotes healing, but also resilience and the development of healthy coping mechanisms.
One of the most essential parts of addressing PTSD through occupational therapy is early intervention. That’s because untreated disabilities or obstacles can have serious consequences in the long run for the child. In particular, they can negatively impact things like success in school, affecting their academic performance and social interactions. Not only that, but there is a lot of research that demonstrates the association between childhood trauma and the risk of mental health problems, physical illness, and substance misuse later in life. By intervening early through OT, we can reduce these risks and set children on a path toward a brighter future.
Even with the best OT intervention, the best chance at setting kids up for success ultimately depends on the cooperative collaboration of parents and caregivers to continue nurturing that child’s development and healing. By working together, we can encourage active participation in therapy sessions as well as reinforcement of therapeutic strategies at home by incorporating play-based activities into their daily routines.
So, in summary, pediatric occupational therapy offers a lifeline of support for children with PTSD, by working to help them overcome challenges and anxieties that can otherwise hinder their growth. By providing early interventions, we can prevent those undesirable long-term consequences and equip children with the skills they need to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. Through the power of play, occupational therapy not only makes learning and development enjoyable but also empowers children to reach their full potential. If you know a child who may have experienced some form of trauma, I highly recommend getting them in to see an occupation therapist to ensure that they receive the support they need to thrive and flourish in life.
Kim Cunningham is the Senior Occupational Therapist for the NYC Department of Education and founder of Hands on Fun OT who has over 30 years of experience dealing with multiple levels of needed help.
