What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy focuses on enhancing a child's ability to perform everyday activities and to participate in different environments. Occupational Therapy should result in increased functional skills which will improve quality of life, independence, self-esteem, learning and achievement for the child/young person.

Who can be referred to the Occupational Therapy Services?

Children who have needs and difficulties within:

• spatial awareness, 
• self-care 
• postural motor function e.g. weak muscle tone
• sensory processing functions e.g. sensory seeking behaviour or hyperactivity to external stimuli etc.
• gross and fine motor skills, e.g. balance, ball skills, hand grasp, activities of daily living, e.g. self-dressing, self-feeding
• where there is evidence of significant and severe functional impairment and where the functional impairment is significantly out of line with the perceived potential of the child

Who can I speak to if I am concerned and/or need advice?

If there are concerns regarding your child’s fine motor skills, the first point of contact is the class teacher. You can also speak to your GP and one of the Inclusion Managers to ask for advice. If your child meets the criteria for a referral, then we can discuss making a referral to the NHS Occupational Therapy Services.