Perceptions on Pediatric Group Therapy Sessions

A recent study examined administrators, therapists and parents perceptions on the use of pediatric group therapy.  Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 13 administrators, 19 therapists and 5 parents of children with special needs.  The results indicated the following:

• adminstrators perceived groups to help with accessibility to services
• increased effort on the part of the therapist to conduct groups
• therapists expressed doubts about service quality in groups
• therapists reported benefits of social participation
• in general parents were supportive of group sessions

What are your thoughts on group therapy sessions?  Based on my experience, I have found them to be very beneficial.  The children can learn motor skills by watching peers, interacting with peers and modeling for peers.  Additional benefits are the ability to practice turn taking and self regulation skills in a group setting.  Although in the school systems, the biggest issue was not preparing for the group session but finding space to conduct a group session.

If you need ideas for group therapy sessions check out 25 Instant Sensory Motor Group Activities and Sensory Motor Group Activities A to Z.

Reference: Chantal Camden, Sylvie Tétreault, Bonnie Swaine. Increasing the Use of Group Interventions in a Pediatric Rehabilitation Program: Perceptions of Administrators, Therapists, and Parents. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics May 2012, Vol. 32, No. 2: 120–135.