Authors (including presenting author) :
WONG TY, BUT WS, LOUIE FTM
Affiliation :
Occupational Therapy Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
In Hong Kong, there is a growing demand and increased resources are provided in mental health services for students with special educational needs (SEN). However, early school drop out, lack of vocational trainings and unemployment are still common problems faced by SEN adolescents in their transition period to adulthood. The Census and Statistic Department Report in 2017 showed that the unemployment rate for population aged 15 to 24 maintained at a high level between 8.5% and 10.5%. In 1997, the World Health Organization had highlighted the importance of transition program with life skills education, family support and pre-vocational training for SEN adolescents. Occupational Therapists plays a critical role in providing independent living skills training, work analysis and pre-vocational training in adolescents transitional care via addressing their psychosocial needs and sensory processing problems.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of OT interventions in the aspects of psychosocial and community engagement for adolescents receiving child and psychiatric day hospital service (CPDH).
Methodology :
26 adolescents aged from 14 to 19 with problems of school refusal or home idling completed the transitional training program conducted by OT in CPDH from Jan 2018 to Oct 2019. Clients received ongoing individual counseling, therapeutic group trainings targeting on executive functioning, social skills, pre-vocational trainings and job hunting workshops. Ongoing phone consultations and individual counseling were provided to parents for career stress and expectation management. Chinese Version of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (C-SWEMWBS), Chinese Self Efficacy Scale (CSES) and Life functioning assessment inventory (L-FAI) were conducted in the baseline and final review session.
Result & Outcome :
There were significant differences (p< 0.01) in C-SWEMWBS and all 4 sub-scales (home-maker, work, social, leisure) of L-FAI. 23 out of the 26 participants found their future pathway of either resuming school or starting vocational training (VTC or SHINE). 1 adolescent decided to work after the program. Only 2 out of the 26 participants could not find their ideal way out. The community engagement rate was 92% among these 26 participants. In summary, OT interventions in adolescents transition program can effectively boost their wellbeing and occupational performance. In addition, it facilitates adolescents in formulating their future plan, and prevents further social withdrawal and risk of social maladjustment.
