Insider Scoop: OT with At-risk Youth

I had the opportunity to communicate with Hannah Phillips prior to her inservice presentation to gain more knowledge on the role of OT with at-risk youth. I chose to write a reflection on this topic because it is relevant to my first level II rotation, which is in pediatrics, but also because adverse experiences in childhood can impact an individuals across the lifespan. I was able to gain a clear definition of "at-risk" youth, why it matters, what OTs can do, and a hand full of assessments and resources.

Youth at-risk is a child or adolescent who faces extreme threats to successful transition into adulthood. A few examples include, involved in drugs/alcohol, neglect, mental illness, & sexually abused. Hannah mentions that in children, exposure to ACEs or childhood trauma can affect brain development and hormonal and immune systems, which can cause behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and physical health issues. In adults, exposure to ACEs dramatically increases the likelihood of 7 out of 10 leading adult causes of death.

As OT practitioners, screening for ACEs in children as early as possible and providing children and their families with the support services they need is a critical step to prevent and undo the existing and future harm to children’s brains and bodies caused by toxic stress. There are some existing programs in Memphis as well as around the United States for those who have had these experiences.  For example, Youth Villages is a program that provides help for children and young people across the United States who face a wide range of emotional, mental and behavioral problems.  Their goals is to improve these individuals' long-term success.

Learning and looking deeper into this topic has better prepared me for my upcoming fieldwork rotation at Kenny Rogers Children Center in Sikeston, MO.  I will definitely take what I have learned from Hannah about at-risk youth and ACEs with me and now feel more prepared if I were to find myself in a situation similar to this!