Occupational Therapy Department
Occupational therapy looks at supporting a young person to reach their highest level of independence in their daily occupations.
Occupations are the daily activities that a child engages with in the areas of self-care e.g. getting dressed and grooming, productivity e.g. play and school work and leisure e.g. sports, bike riding and hobbies. In adolescence, occupations include money management, organisation in school, pursuit of hobbies, accessing public transport, planning and scheduling, cooking, shopping and independent living skills.
Taking part in activities that have meaning for the young person leads to an increase in their self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and an improved quality of life.
The Occupational Therapist works as part of the multidisciplinary team. If the young person is referred to Occupational Therapy they are waitlisted for an assessment.
Assessment may take the form of classroom/play observation, talking with the child/teenager, their parents and or school staff and through the use of questionnaires and/or standardised assessments. Some children and teenagers may need more than one assessment to provide an accurate picture of their abilities. This is particularly relevant to the older child and adolescent when more than one session is required to establish a trusting and working relationship. This will in turn help the young person and their family work together with the therapist.
The goals that are set by the young person and their families form the basis of the intervention that is provided.
Lynn Jenkinson
Joint Head of Occupational
Therapy Department
Nodlaig Olden
Joint Head of Occupational Therapy
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