On Wednesday, November 6, the Children and Family Committee in Herning Municipality invited to “The Future of the PPR” (Pedagogical Psychological Counseling). Three hours with, among other things, inspiring presentations and dialogue among municipally invited professional groups and other stakeholders, including parent representatives from both schools and daycare institutions. We praise the initiative and the broad participation, but missed an essential professional group: ergotherapists and physiotherapists.

PPR’s current composition of psychologists, pedagogues and health visitors is a good foundation. These professional groups possess important competencies and play a central role in supporting children and young people’s well-being and development. But to ensure the best and most versatile help, we believe that it is necessary to also involve ergotherapists and physiotherapists in PPR.

Ergotherapists and physiotherapists have specialized knowledge of senses and motor skills. Crucial factors for children’s well-being and development. They can contribute with a unique perspective and valuable observations that can complement the other professional groups’ competencies. Having a general knowledge of senses and motor skills, which is the case with the current composition in PPR, is not the same as having the specialized knowledge that ergotherapists and physiotherapists possess. Roughly speaking, it would be like anyone with knowledge and interest in neurology being able to write psychologist on their CV.

Ergotherapists and physiotherapists have an in-depth understanding of how sensory and motor challenges can affect a child’s behavior, learning and social interactions. These challenges can have a major impact on children’s well-being, learning, social skills and general well-being - and thus also on their mental health.

We therefore urge the Children and Family Committee to think broadly and involve all relevant professional groups in the Future of PPR. A multidisciplinary approach, where different professional groups collaborate and complement each other, so we create the best conditions for all children and young people in Herning Municipality to thrive and develop optimally, so we do not overlook crucial parts of children’s well-being.

This reader’s letter has been translated from Danish.