Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapy, often shortened to OT, aims to help individuals with their every day activities or occupations. 

With children and young people in mind, OT will help with the following: 

• Attention and focus in class or at home
• Sensory processing: tolerance of different sensory experiences which cause significant difficulties or strong need to be constantly ‘on the move’ which impact on focus and learn
• Emotional regulation impacting on a child/ young person accessing their school or community
• Understanding of the different sensations coming from the body and how they can impact on emotional responses (interoception)
• Playing skills (also a strong part of DIR® Floortime) 
• Remembering things and organising oneself?
• Self-care including dressing, cutlery or toileting skills
• School-based activities such as writing, drawing, cutting with scissors draw
• Body awareness and coordination in order to run, join in PE class or play in the playground/ with friends?

As part of the OT process, I provide individualised assessment and blocks of therapy for individuals with a range of needs and diagnosis, such as autism, ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder(DCD), developmental delays, Downs Syndrome, Hemiplegia. I have training and experience working using a trauma-informed approach.

“Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.”

Chinese proverb

DIR Floortime®

This is a therapeutic programme and model that focuses on social-emotional and relationship-based practice. We know that the brain grows best through positive healthy interaction with caregivers.

DIR stands for Developmental, Individual and Relationship-based model. 

It promotes a strong foundational framework for understanding human development and learning, and how each person individually perceives and interacts with the works differently. It focuses on playful and meaningful interactions and relationship based therapy and a comprehensive assessment of the child’s Individual’s strengths and needs. The most beautiful about DIR Floortime® is that it pushes for connection over conformity, supporting the neurodiversity movement.

Although it is best known in relation to neurodiversity and autism, late Dr Greenspan worked on creating a therapeutic model that could be adapted to support any children with developmental challenges.

As an OT, I use different hats to best meet the needs of the child and young person and inclusion. 

To learn more about this approach, watch this video with Dr Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder, funders of DIR Floortime® at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBXGfKuX5-I (6.26 min)