Why Your Child Benefits from a Multidisciplinary Model

When kids face developmental, social, emotional, or academic challenges, it can affect them in a variety of different ways. For example, sensory sensitivities can impact a child’s physical well-being, emotional state, and social interactions. Because of this, children benefit from an approach that addresses both the root cause of their challenges as well as provides support and strategies to help them thrive in all areas of their life.

At Come Play, we firmly believe in the power of combining various disciplines, such as Occupational Therapy and Play Therapy, to provide comprehensive care for your child.

In this article, we will explore why your child benefits from a multidisciplinary model, focusing on both diagnosis and treatment.

Team Approach to Evaluation and Diagnosis

Pediatric therapists tend to view children through the lens of their own expertise, be it child psychiatry, occupational therapy, or behavioral therapy as examples. However, this specialized view can sometimes lead to misdiagnoses or incomplete evaluations. Many of our clients come in with a previous diagnosis from a child psychiatrist, such as anxiety, but this diagnosis does not take into account the full picture or root cause of the child’s challenges.

In addition, many of the symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder overlap, making it difficult to distinguish between them.

At Come Play, we believe that having multiple disciplines and training backgrounds on our team allows us to paint a more accurate picture of your child's developmental and behavioral needs. By working collaboratively, our experts can gain a comprehensive understanding of your child's challenges. This holistic approach allows for a complete and accurate diagnosis, rather than merely addressing surface symptoms.

What Are the Benefits of Multiple Therapies?

In the treatment phase, the multidisciplinary model truly shines. Take, for example, a child who has experienced trauma. Trauma can profoundly affect a child's sensory system, leading to a host of issues. Occupational therapy (OT) can help the child address these sensory issues and regain self-regulation.

By having an occupational therapist involved in the treatment plan, we can first focus on regulating the child's body and brain. After a 45-minute OT session, the child is in a better state to process the trauma and manage their emotions effectively.

Once the sensory system is regulated, our team of behavioral and play therapists then steps in to help the child process the trauma and provide them with tools and strategies to manage anxiety-like symptoms. This collaborative approach ensures that each aspect of the child's needs is addressed systematically.

Without OT, the child may only have a brief window to address their trauma during therapy. With the multidisciplinary model, we can dedicate the full session to processing the trauma, resulting in more significant progress and emotional healing.

How Trauma Affects a Child

Trauma comes in various forms, and it can affect any child. Whether it's a car accident, physical or emotional abuse, or a one-off incident, trauma can have a lasting impact on a child's development. When the brain becomes stuck in processing negative sensory stimuli related to trauma, it can trigger panic and freezing responses when similar situations arise.

Therapy is the key to moving through trauma effectively. With the help of a multidisciplinary team, children can learn to navigate challenging situations without getting stuck in a state of fear or panic. We classify trauma as either "big" or "little," recognizing that its impact varies but is significant in both cases.

Autism and Sensory Regulation

The same multidisciplinary model can be applied to children with Autism. Starting with occupational therapy to regulate the child's sensory system is essential before moving on to play therapy, such as Autplay. Many of our young clients come to us directly from school, which can be overstimulating and overwhelming.

Regulating their bodies and brains through sensory interventions is key to preparing them for productive play therapy or speech therapy sessions. What's particularly fascinating is that as they engage in their sensory diet or other regulation techniques, they often begin to talk to us more!

When a child’s sensory needs are met, they become more willing to communicate. They feel safe and empowered to process the challenges they are facing at school or at home. This helps our therapists address issues as they arise and allows the child to share their thoughts and feelings freely.

How Can We Help?

Whether your child has experienced trauma, faces challenges related to Autism, or needs assistance with other developmental or behavioral issues, our team of experts is dedicated to providing comprehensive care that addresses both their physical and emotional well-being. We understand that each child is unique, and our collaborative approach ensures that we can help them reach their full potential.

Contact Us to discuss your child’s needs!