occupational therapy (OT)

Children’s OTs help children and young people to be as independent as possible in everyday life. OTs consider environmental, physical, learning and sensory needs and their impact on the child’s participation in functional activities (occupations). 

We work in partnership with the child, their parents/carers and other important people in the child's life such as teachers and other health professionals. 

For more information on how we can support your young person and details about our pricing, please don't hesitate to contact us! 

Our primary focus is enhancing a child or young person's participation in meaningful daily activities, known as "occupations." These occupations are essential for their development, well-being, and independence. 

For children, key occupations often include:

🔹Self-Care Activities: These are daily tasks that foster independence and personal responsibility, such as: Dressing; Bathing; Brushing teeth; and Preparing and eating meals

🔹Education and Productivity: Engagement in both formal and informal learning activities is vital for cognitive and skill development. This might include: Handwriting; Using scissors; Participating in classroom tasks; and Being 'available' for learning opportunities 

🔹Play and Leisure: Play is a fundamental occupation for children, essential for developing motor skills, language, cognition, and social interactions. Examples include: Participating in physical education (P.E.); Engaging in sports and recreational activities; Accessing community events, such as going to the cinema. 

When assessing a child's participation in these occupations, we consider a wide range of skills that may influence their performance including:

🔹Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Including manual dexterity and bilateral coordination. 

🔹Pre-Writing and Handwriting Skills: Foundational abilities that support effective written communication.

🔹Movement and Coordination: The ability to move efficiently and control body movements during various activities.

🔹Visual Perceptual Skills: The capacity to interpret and make sense of visual information, crucial for reading and navigating environments.

🔹Sensory Processing: How the nervous system receives and responds to sensory input, affecting a child's comfort and reactions in different settings.

🔹Attention and Focus: The ability to concentrate on tasks and sustain attention over time.

By evaluating and supporting these areas, we aim to empower children and young people to fully engage in their daily occupations, leading to improved independence and quality of life.

We tailor our assessments to meet the unique needs of each young person. While the specifics may vary, our comprehensive evaluation process typically includes the following components:

🔹Consultation with Parents, Carers, and School: We begin by engaging in discussions with the child's primary caregivers and educators to gather insights into the child's daily routines, strengths, and areas of concern.

🔹Information-Gathering Questionnaires: To gain a holistic understanding, we utilise specific questionnaires completed by individuals close to the child, such as parents and teachers. These tools help us plan our next steps in assessment and help us to gather crucial information. 

🔹Observations of Daily Activities: We observe the child in their natural environments—most often at school or home—to see how they engage in daily activities. This allows us to identify any challenges and understand the context of their experiences.

🔹Direct Assessment with the Young Person: When appropriate, we conduct direct assessments to explore participation challenges in more detail. This may involve standardised tests or engaging activities designed to assess specific skills.

🔹Discussions with the Young Person: Understanding what is important and meaningful to the young person is crucial. We have conversations with them to learn about their interests, goals, and any difficulties they perceive in their daily activities.

This comprehensive approach ensures that our assessments are thorough and individualised, providing a solid foundation for developing effective intervention strategies.