Let's Talk Series: Just-Right Challenge

Welcome to the "Let's talk" series where I discuss various phrases that are thrown around in the OT world.  These phrases often reflect our philosophy and underpin our practice.  Depending on an occupational therapist's experience, you may find individuals having different opinions on some of these topics. I'm hoping to share something from this series each month. 

So let's kick this off with discussing a "just-right challenge".

Children are learning and growing at their own pace.  They might be good at some things and have difficulties with other things.  This is part of normal child development. 

The children who benefit from OT are those children where daily challenges affect their ability to carry out their regular activities, meet developmental milestones or the expectations of others.  This can vary from physical skills, social skills, play skills, daily living skills (eg. eating, toiletting, dressing), organising skills, etc.

So what is a "just-right challenge"? 
The term originated with Jean Ayres, occupational therapist. She is attributed with being the OT who first conceptualized sensory integration theory and practice.  The "just-right challenge" or "adaptive-response" method describes a place where the child is met between boredom from something being too easy and frustration from it being too difficult. 

According to Rebeiro & Polgar (1998), the "just-right challenge" ...
---> is an optimal fit between the demands of the person, occupation and the environment
---> causes clients to be motivated to continue or repeat their experience
---> contributes to greater life satisfaction

Occupational therapists are always looking to help meet the child where they are at.... working from what they can do, extending them just that bit to meet a stepping stone towards their goals OR modifying the activity, environment or goal itself. 

This enables a child to feel some success and encourages them to keep working towards their goal.  

Just-Right Challenge Infographic ©2021 Your Kids OT

Download a poster version of this image from the YKOT shop.

Just-Right Challenge Poster

Ways to achieve a "just-right challenge"!
The relationship between therapist and child is a balancing act where rapport is built through engagement and trust. Therapists are constantly adjusting their prompts, changing the amount of assistance they provide, modifying the activity, presenting the activity in a different way, making things harder, making things easier, changing environmental demands ... to meet your child where they are at on the day and at that time.  OTs call this process "grading". 

We want to encourage children to extend themselves to learn new skills (maybe outside of their comfort zones) but not feel overwhelmed with the demands causing them to be anxious, shut down or demonstrate challenging behaviours. We want children to work at their optimal level of arousal.

Therapists also look for ways to help children to be motivated, find satisfaction and rewards (internal and external) from working towards or achieving their goals. 

There may some situations where achieving a goal or completing a task is not possible without some accommodations or adaptions. This may be when a therapist recommends specialized equipment, tools or techniques outside what is conventionally used.  Achieving goals with modifications or accommodations is achieving and should not be considered "a cop out".  Function is function. 

Over time, we have seen some specialized equipment or adaptions become a "norm" in society. Sometimes this is wonderful - like grab rails in toilets, accessible ramps, visual schedules, scooter boards sold in department stores... Sometimes we (OTs) are cautiously optimistic but concerned - for example, with the use of weighted blankets and vests, some pencil grips, "sensory programs", etc - where the advice of an OT can be informative. 

Things to consider...

• What is challenging for one child may not be challenging for another. 
• Too much of a challenge can result in a fight or flight response.
• Too little of a challenge can result in a fight or flight response. 
• Providing accommodations or changing a task can give a child successful function. 

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Let's discuss...

• When is it NOT appropriate to have a "just-right challenge"? 
• How does a "just-right challenge" work in telehealth when children are sometimes overwhelmed before logging on? 
• How does a "just-right challenge" work in a group setting? 
• What are your favourite ways to increase a challenge? 
• What are your favourite ways to reduce a challenge? 

For non-OTs reading this... therapy can look like "just playing" but OTs are considering all of the above when working with your child.  Read more--
* Why is my child just playing when they see an OT? 
* OT assessment process
* Sensory Triggers in the classroom

I would love to hear your comments on a "just-right challenge"! Comment below or join the conversation in my social media posts - I'll be sharing the YKOT Instagram and Facebook pages. 

Let's keep talking and I hope you join in with this series. Let me know if there is something that you would like to "talk" about!
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​Reference: Rebeiro KL, Polgar JM. Enabling occupational performance: optimal experiences in therapy. Can J Occup Ther. 1999 Feb;66(1):14-22. doi: 10.1177/000841749906600102. PMID: 10462878.

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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