WildTherapy Overview
We believe that every child is unique and deserves a supportive environment in which they can thrive. At RWT we aim to create a space where children and adults feel a strong sense of belonging and confidence in who they are, and see the outdoor environment as the perfect setting for this.
Occupational Therapy
“In occupational therapy, occupations refer to the everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life. Occupations include things people need to, want to and are expected to do.”
World Federation Occupational Therapy 2012
Our ‘wild’ therapy is occupational therapy provided in the outdoor environment. While appointments may look quite different to the indoor clinical setting, our skilled therapy assistants use the benefits that the natural environment provides to work towards each child’s individual therapy goals. All our pre-screening and post- therapy assessments are done within an indoor clinical setting in Port Macquarie.
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While the RWT space is designed replicate the family backyard, we also have an indoor space called the 'Therapy Shed'. This room replicates the indoor clinic and gives children a familiar space to regulate and feel secure when attending RWT.
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Many children will start their therapy from the 'Therapy Shed', and gradually work their way further out into our 'wild' spaces as they become more comfortable and confident.
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Developmental Needs
A child’s developmental needs vary according to their stage of life, their needs could be physical or cognitive or emotional. Some children need therapy focused only on one domain or all domains to be supported to reach their full potential and work towards independence as an adult.
Some of these developmental domains include:
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Emotional Regulation
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Play Skills
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Sensory Processing
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Behaviour Management
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Memory and Attention
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Creativity and Ideation
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Self Concept and Confidence
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Social Skills
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Visual Perceptual Skills
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Auditory Perceptual Skills
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Self Care Tasks (toileting, dressing and eating)
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Organisational Skills
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Planning
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High-Level Cognition Skills (problem-solving)
What does therapy look like at RWT?
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Risk taking
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Natural sensory integration
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Messy play
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Imaginative play
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Tree climbing
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Fire work
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Construction and use of real tools
How RWT helps
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Building resilience through risky play
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Building confidence in self and ability
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Connection to and awareness of the natural world
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Developing resilience in all weather
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Confidence and communication skills in a social setting
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Develop the ability to assess and manage risks in a controlled environment