Occupational therapists aim to maximise children’s development opportunities to support independence in every day tasks, learning, play and to access the national curriculum. They also help to maximise independence, access and safety at home. OTs see children experiencing difficulty with every day tasks due to physical and developmental difficulties, delays and disabilities.

What to expect from an assessment

• The first assessment will last approximately 1 hour
• There will be one or two therapists present
• The assessment will include discussion with the parents and child, observation of the child doing different activities and standardised testing  

How do OTs work with children at school?

• Help school staff to understand the impact a child’s difficulties will have on their education
• Help to promote inclusion in the classroom
• Provide advice to make the school more accessible
• Provide activities for support staff to carry out with  children to help develop their skills
• Recommend equipment to increase independence.

How do OTs work with children in the home?

• Helping parents and children understand their difficulties with everyday tasks
• Providing treatment and activity ideas to help promote independence
• Assess and recommend equipment and adaptations to  promote access, independence and safety

Case studies

Blessing is 11 and has learning difficulties and challenging behaviour. Her mother is worried as Blessing is able to get out of the house by herself onto the busy road nearby, and is able to get dangerous items out of kitchen cupboards and drawers. The OT visited Blessing at home and recommended different locks to the Housing Association and different ways for mum to organise her kitchen so that Blessing can be safe at home. 

Frank is 7 and is sometimes uncoordinated in his movements. He is struggling to get dressed and is messy when he feeds himself. His OT worked with him for six  weeks and showed him ways to do these activities differently so he can manage them better. Now Frank and his mum understand how to tackle other activities he finds difficult.
 
Yahlini is 10 and has Cerebral Palsy which affects her movement and her speech she’s having difficulty getting in and out of her house now she has a larger wheelchair and at school she’s finding it difficult to record her work. Her OT advised ways to widen the front door and also suggested a ramp so that Yahlini can be independent and her parents won’t hurt their backs. Her OT also visited school and recommended a way to adapt her computer so that Yahlini can record her work.
 
Tahir is 15 and had an accident which resulted in memory and mobility problems. He wants to be more independent in the community and go out with his friends. His OT helped him to learn strategies to find his way to and from set routes and to get on and off the bus safely. He now visits friends and travels to school independently.

 
This short film explains how occupational therapists help people carry out the activities they need or want to do. Clare Rader, Specialist Pediatric OT, talks about how she works with four year old Dina to help her regain mobility in the right side of her body after illness.