Play time is therapy time for some of Northern Light Health’s youngest patients

GREENVILLE — Learning a new dance routine or gliding around the room on a scooter board may sound like child’s play, but at Northern Light CA Dean Hospital these activities are more than pastimes for kids — they’re empowering some of the hospital’s smallest patients to overcome their biggest challenges.

Play is a primary part of the treatment plans that CA Dean’s pediatric occupational therapists develop for their patients. Individualized play encourages children to buy into therapy while helping them meet development milestones and overcome sensory challenges.

“Everything we do is play-based,” says Bryanne Lovell, MSOTR/L, CLC, a CA Dean pediatric occupational therapist. “Play is the biggest occupation of a child’s life, and what better way to achieve success than through engaging the child in fun, captivating activities? It helps us build rapport with our patients, and the kids really enjoy participating when they see the success.”

Activities are developed to meet each child’s specific needs and therapy goals. For example, conquering a ninja obstacle course may benefit a child who has difficulty with body coordination. For Halloween, the therapy team created a spider web activity to help patients improve their visual scanning skills and ability to pick up small objects. Some patients’ care plans also incorporate outdoor activities.

“We have a beautiful lawn behind our building and there is so much that nature can provide us,” adds Lovell. “The environment isn’t as predictable and new challenges present themselves for us to work through together. There is also so much research backing the importance of getting outside each day for our mental health and I try to encourage the kids to be outside and enjoy what nature has to offer, when appropriate.”

Northern Light Health’s pediatric occupational therapists statewide help children improve their fine motor skills, learning skills, social and emotional skills, and activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, and toileting. Many patients have developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability.

For Lovell, the best part of being a pediatric occupational therapist is using her creativity and clinical skill to develop therapeutic treatments that can change kids’ lives.

“We celebrate big when we have an activity that works on multiple goals at once and brings the child closer to success. It is so rewarding to see a child succeed at something they have worked so hard to achieve,” she adds.

For more information about occupational therapy services at Northern Light Health, please visit Rehabilitation Services – Northern Light Health at https://northernlighthealth.org/Services/Rehabilitation/Occupational-Therapy.