Occupational Therapy
Within school, Occupational therapists work to promote, maintain, and develop skills needed by students to be functional in a school, home or wider environment depending on identified needs. School and daily life is made up of many activities (or occupations). Occupations for children or young people may include, for example:
Self-care (getting dressed, using cutlery, managing toileting needs and managing personal hygiene routines, preparing a healthy snack, cleaning own trainers)
Productivity (going to school, volunteering, posture, sleep routine, handwriting, using a switch to access technology and activities linked to organisational skills, problem solving, gaining a sense of purpose,)
Leisure (play, socialising with friends, belonging to a club, participating in hobbies, Physical education, achieving awards)
Occupational therapists may grade activities, suggest alternative ways of doing things, provide advice on learning new approaches and techniques, or make changes to the learning environment, for example, through use of equipment, adaptations or strategies devised to facilitate an environment conducive to a students learning needs.
During the school term, Occupational therapists provide therapy intervention to students with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, as well as those with speech, language and communication difficulties. Although therapeutic interventions can vary significantly between students and are bespoke to their individual needs, intervention may work towards goals relating to selfcare, productivity and/or leisure. These could include:
- Life skills
- Fine motor skills
- Access to technology – Use of software, switches, eye-gaze and/ or environmental controls
- Recording work – Handwriting skills, use of technology and/or software
- Organisational skills and Problem solving
- Sensory processing strategies to aid emotional regulation
- Selfcare/ self-help skills/participating in daily routines
- Meaningful occupation (all the things we need, want or have to do)
- Application of multisensory environment
- Accessing the community
- Powered wheelchair and manual driving
- Adaptive equipment including small aids/ equipment
- Preparation for adulthood
- Postural management
- Access the learning environment within the school setting.
- Healthy lifestyle and leisure
Percy Hedley School provides an integrated approach where Occupational therapy is embedded across the school day to promote access to the curriculum and improve performance in activities of daily living. OTs form part of the class team consisting of Specialist Teacher, Physiotherapist, Speech and Language therapist (SaLT) and Learning Support Assistants (LSA’s). There is a shared accountability for all professionals to work towards goals and provide opportunities to maximise learning throughout the school day. This approach is embedded within the school curriculum and therefore forms the basis of transdisciplinary working.
Occupational therapists work with students through individual, small group and whole class sessions, Therapy input may occur within classroom settings, therapy rooms, or within community settings.
Collaboration towards shared goals with outside agents including the NHS, wheelchair services, community Occupational therapists or equipment representatives occurs to approach therapy interventions in an effective and holistic manner.