Nature Based OT Flashcards
Bearfoot OT’s Mission
“Our mission is for kids to receive the services they need to go forth successfully into the world. No holding back, we are ALL IN on helping your kid and family learn the tools and build the skills to thrive. Let’s do what it takes, learn what works, and make real changes so your child’s future includes more playdates, school success, and a sense of belonging.”
- strengths-based
- child-led and play-based
- connection-focused
Strengths-based
“What that study found was that the parents who are exposed to strengths-based language had stronger parent-child interactions. They had a more positive effect towards their child. They were better able to support their child. They had less stress. They were better able to cope.”
Assessments
- 15-Minute Discovery Call
- Sensory Profile-2 (Caregiver and school questionnaire)
- Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT)
- 45-Minute Pre-Evaluation Call
- School Observations
- Abbreviated vs. Comprehensive vs. Group Evaluations
Typical Day
Mornings = Work from home! Treatment planning, documentation, report write-ups, consultations with parents, school observations, emails, and projects
Afternoons: See kiddos in the park: 50 minute sessions; maximum of 5 kids a day, 2 groups
- We hold sessions in the parks and occassionally see kids in the school
The parks to visit
- Glen Canyon Park
- The Presidio
- China Camp State Park
What’s in a typical OT backpack (nature edition)
- bean bags
- hammock
- trapeze
- bubbles
- walkie-talkies
- cones and rings
- water
- first aid kit
Things to consider while treatment planning
- weather! (always outside unless unsafe conditions like air quality, high wind, and lightning)
- flow of the day
- have to carry the supplies
- How many uses did the item have?
- the client
Session follow up
- Treatment notes after each session
- progress notes, and goal updates every 6 months
- Keep the parent conversations short between sessions
- The parents have the option to opt into a package that includes Google Classroom, where the OT sends a debrief video, home exercises/recommendations, and where conversations throughout the week take place (home/school updates, parent questions)
Differences from traditional pediatric setting
- private pay or superbill provided
- eposed to the public during sessions
- mobile practice
- unlikely to co-treat during a session
- connection-focused, strengths-based, neurodiversity affirming
- multiple session locations
- weather constantly impacts the environment
- MUST be flexible
The Bearfoot way
- benefits of spending time in nature
- affirming a child’s experience without “fixing them” = validating the autistic and neurodivergent experience
- flexibility in therapy focus
- taking a step back and really focusing on the child, their experience, their needs, and how this is impacting them
Change of language
- impaired, delayed, poor > emerging, quantitative data, successfully
- compliance-based, adult-focused agendas > child-led, connection-focused, affirming
- imposing neurotypical traits/values on neurodiversity/autistic kids > learning/teaching about the neurodiversity experience, learn from others
