An adult and two children are sat in a room with their hands on their heads, the children are sat in the swing

Speaker Spotlight: Nerys Hughes on the role of OT in supporting children’s independence

At Whole Child Therapy, our mission is simple yet profound: to enable every child to engage, achieve, and thrive in both learning and life.

We focus on individual strengths, removing the limitations of labels so that every young person can connect fully and authentically with their world. At the heart of our practice is the 'Human' - we honour each child's unique identity, agency, and capacity for joy before any clinical goal is ever set.

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a key part of this journey toward self-actualisation. It is not just about correcting deficits; it is about empowering children to discover the delight of movement and the thrill of independent achievement.

Ahead of her talk at Naidex Roadshow South on September 9, Nerys Hughes, Clinical Director and CEO of Whole Child Therapy, outlines the top five ways OT can help children develop independence, and how adult carers can partner in this process.

  1. Supporting Core Strength and Postural Stability

Before a child can explore fine skills like writing or using cutlery, they need a strong physical foundation. Postural stability, the ability to sit upright without constant conscious effort, is essential. OT supports these deep stabilising muscles. By facilitating a strong core and shoulder stability, we reduce physical fatigue, freeing up a child's energy so they can engage in classroom learning and pursue their interests with vigour, rather than exhaustion.

  1. Enhancing Body Awareness (Proprioception)

Proprioception is our body’s internal map, telling us where our hands and feet are without looking. OT helps children refine this mapping system. When a child has excellent body awareness, they gain the independence to navigate busy spaces safely, coordinate both sides of their body, and use the right amount of force when holding a pencil or a delicate toy. This mastery brings a deep sense of confidence to their physical play.

  1. Managing Sensory Load and Self-Regulation

Sensory environments like bustling classrooms or school dining halls can easily overload a child's nervous system. When overwhelmed, a child may experience a "fight, flight, or freeze" response, leading to withdrawal. OT helps children explore their unique sensory profiles and build a personalised self-regulation toolkit. By understanding their needs, children gain the autonomy to participate fully in everyday life, transforming potential stress into an opportunity for successful engagement.

  1. Improving Motor Planning (Praxis)

Praxis is the multi-step process of coming up with an idea, planning the physical steps, and executing the movement. For some, tasks that should be automatic, like dressing, feel effortful, leading to avoidance. OT explicitly guides children to figure out how to plan novel movements, paving the way for them to tackle complex daily routines independently. This turns "I can't" into "I did it!"

  1. Refining Fine Motor Skills for Daily Living

From zips and buttons to handwriting, daily independence relies on hand strength. Rather than looking at hands in isolation, OTs use a whole-body approach. By stabilising the trunk, shoulders, and wrists, we give children the precise physical control they need to accomplish academic tasks without needing constant adult help. This independence is a catalyst for creativity and self-expression.

Relational Practice: 5 Tips for Supporting Adults

Real, lasting change happens outside the therapy room. The bond between the adult and child is the primary tool for growth. You are our vital partners in this journey.

  • Introduce "Heavy Work" Strategies: Incorporate activities that provide deep pressure and resistance to help calibrate and soothe your child's nervous system, creating a calm baseline for joy.
  • Leverage "Backward Chaining": Break down complex routines so that your child completes the final step, ensuring every task concludes with a sense of mastery and pride.
  • Focus on Co-Regulation: Act as a steady, emotional anchor during periods of dysregulation, choosing connection and validation over traditional disciplinary measures.
  • Establish Sensory-Safe Environments: Foster a sense of autonomy by minimising environmental triggers and providing structured choices that offer the gift of predictability.
  • Prioritise Autonomy and Self-Advocacy: Empower your child by providing structured options that allow them to lead (e.g., "Should we use the blue pen or the pencil for this?"). Providing space for them to process and choose nurtures their vital sense of agency.

Ultimately, Occupational Therapy is about more than developing specific physical skills; it is about building a sensory-rich foundation that empowers a child to engage with the world on their own terms.

By prioritising "regulation before education," we provide the stability and confidence every child needs. As a supporting adult, your consistent actions create the space for real, lasting independence. Let’s keep fostering those spaces of delight and connection, ensuring that every child feels seen, supported, and ready to grow.

Nerys Hughes will deliver a session on Paediatric Occupational Therapy: Supporting Children to Thrive in Everyday Life on the Naidex Professionals stage during Naidex Roadshow South on September 9. She will be joined by Lucinda Williams, Director and Senior OT at Functionability.