Bagless Therapy!
Bagless Therapy!
I was at a networking lunch today, and the concept of Bagless Therapy came up. As providers of community OT, we believe that therapy, including early intervention (EI), is most effective when it’s one-on-one, conducted in a familiar and natural to the child environment, and involves family members and caregivers at its core. Therapists can’t wave a magic therapy wand each week or fortnight.
We’ve been asked why we sometimes recommend a ‘bagless’ approach to early intervention programs. So, let’s explain what it is and why it’s beneficial for the child and everyone involved.
What is Bagless Early Intervention Therapy?
The term ‘bagless therapy’ is quite literal. When therapists use this approach, they arrive without a bag of toys or tools for the therapy session. This approach has become popular in early intervention therapies. The idea is to increase caregiver interaction by involving the family in selecting routines and materials already in the home to address the client and families goals.
Why Choose Bagless Approach to Early Intervention?
Bagless intervention is flexible, individualised, and adaptable. It encourages interaction between caregivers and the child between therapy appointments. For example, if the therapy activities use items already present in the child’s home, the work with that item can continue between the caregiver and child after the therapist leaves.
Benefits of Bagless Approach
Fun for Kids and Parents: Bagless early intervention therapy provides practical and functional support and creative solutions for everyday activities that the child and their caregivers can explore together anytime.
Flexible Learning Schedule: Bagless early intervention therapy offers a great deal of flexibility, as it focuses solely on the child’s needs and the family’s goals using tools they are familiar with.
Brings Families Together: The bagless approach may involve a family meal with the therapist. With all caregivers involved, the therapist isn’t just helping the child advance toward a milestone but also showing the family “therapy in action” that is easily repeatable at any meal.
Bagless Intervention Therapy Ideas
Bagless intervention applies to speech, physical, occupational, and developmental therapies. Home based therapists practicing bagless early intervention can get really creative finding functional solutions around the house. For example, Tupperware can replace plastic stacking cups, a cardboard box and items found around the house can replace a shape sorter, and a wooden spoon or rolling pin and bracelets or scrunchies can replace stacking rings.
In conclusion, the benefits of taking a bagless approach are plenty. So, when a therapist shows up empty-handed for an early intervention program therapy session, they are simply ready to immerse themselves in the patient’s world and work as a unit to achieve milestones based on the family’s goals.
