Supporting Teens and Young People
Did you know that the teenage brain is undergoing significant change? No wonder they can often seem like different people!
Not only are their brains developing new pathways but their brains start ‘pruning’ (yes just like gardening!) and deciding which brain pathways to keep and which to drop. This means that although childhood gives us all the foundations of our brain, experiences in adolescents, shape the brain further for adulthood. What an opportunity we have!
Adolescence is a time for working out who you are, and who you are going to be. It is also a time that many struggle with their identity, managing emotions, social relationships and if they have any extra challenges, the battle to find and retain their self esteem is vital.
Our team of passionate OTs bring together neurodiverse-affirming, trauma-responsive, and family-centred principles of practice to support young people and their families as they transition into adulthood.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Individual Supports
Group Therapy
Mental Health Supports
What is the role of an Allay Occupational Therapist?
Here at Allay Occupational Therapy, we work alongside young people and their families to support them to identify their own goals, and to build skills to support the young person’s transition into adulthood at home, at school, and within their community.
Examples of how we support young people and their support networks include:
- Building positive routines; from waking independently, to homework schedules
- Building independent life skills, such as domestic living skills, and self-care skills
- Supporting transition into work or further study, finding a life that suits them!
- Learning to drive a car
- Developing understanding about themselves, through:
- Understanding how they learn
- Understanding how they engage with their sensory environment
- Building self-advocacy skills
- Building emotional regulation capacity and self esteem
Therapy plans are tailored to the individual needs of the young person and their family, drawing from a wealth of innovative, evidence-based resources, and training held at Allay.
We highly value and advocate for collaborating with other supports such as doctors and therapists, to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated approach.
Who might see an Allay Occupational Therapist for support?
Young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health, have been given a health or disability diagnosis, or are having difficulty with their everyday activities may benefit from occupational therapy.
At Allay, typical difficulties we support include challenges at school, with identity or sexuality, relationships, learning and communicating, or learning the skills ready for adulthood. This may be without a diagnosis, or it could be associated with Autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, social-emotional difficulties, trauma, or behavioural difficulties.
Our Approach
At Allay, we believe in a holistic approach to therapy, bringing together the young person, their family, and their support network to build skills for a satisfying and meaningful life. We aim to centre the voices of our young people, building their confidence and skills as they transition into adulthood.
