Behaviour and Family Support
‘Oh Behave’, Positive Parenting and Coaching
Our Approach
Our approach aims to prevent problems in the family, school and community before they arise and to create family environments that encourage children to realise their potential. Most strategies focus on developing positive relationships, attitudes and conduct.
Occupational Therapy Whitsunday staff believe that “kids do well if they can” and challenging behaviours are seen in kids who have difficulty meeting our expectations which can leave us feeling frustrated, angry and overwhelmed.
To support the supports (you), OTW offers the Positive Parenting Program integrated into the session, in addition to other evidence informed behaviour management strategies such as Collaborative Problem Solving® and Motivational Interviewing. (These are evidence informed coaching approaches to parenting that gives parents tools and strategies to raise their child in an environment that is safe, loving and predictable).
How does it work?
Your child will learn evidence-based strategies to manage their emotions and frustrations. We use motivational techniques, cognitive behavioural strategies, exercises, relaxation and mindfulness; helping your child to develop the skills to be more flexible, solve problems and handle frustrations more effectively.
Positive parenting allows parents to decide what is important to them. We don’t tell parents how to raise their children, but give you the confidence and skills to build good relationships with your child, set boundaries, and follow up with consequences that aren’t harmful and to learn co-regulation strategies. The evidence also shows it helps parents feel more confident, less stressed, less angry and less depressed. And that’s positive!
Steps we take.
Your Occupational Therapist will assess, and assist you and your child to identify current strategies, any lagging skills and then to collaboratively and proactively solve problems with you. This will contribute to your child’s individual OT plan and help families to understand why behaviour occurs and adjust expectations. We create plans, and build capacity to prevent future challenging behaviours and children and their families will be learning strategies to calm in the moment.