Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists help and empower children and young people from birth to adulthood to lead active lives to their full potential.
This involves gradually developing healthy independence in all the daily activities important to them.
We look at what each child does in their day-to-day life, and help find solutions to things which are challenging.
Assessments and treatments are based on the needs of the child and their family.
We offer both advice and practical help with the following issues.
- Preparing for surgery and the implications for family life and routine
- Posture and seating including supportive seating in hospital
- Safe hoisting and safe manual handling
- Safe car seats after surgery
- Returning to school
- Adaptations to accommodate a child's needs at home and school
- Communication with, and referrals to, community services
- Safe bed, chair, toilet, bath and car transfers
- Dressing and self-care skills
- Setting realistic goals
- Handwriting and fine motor skills
- Pacing activities to manage fatigue and gradually increase energy levels
- Techniques to aid sleep
- Relaxation / Mindfulness
- Journaling to help process the day's events
- Domestic tasks, such as cooking and cleaning
- Daily life in the community, such as shopping and using public transport
Newborn Care Unit
If your baby is born prematurely, or needs additional support, they may see an Occupational Therapist in the Newborn Care Unit.
We look at a baby's interactions, reading their cues and their response to the environment.
We support positive touch, and safe holding and positioning of babies, and understand the importance of early sensory experiences. We work with families to observe babies' early developmental skills which help to lay the foundation for future health and independence.
Our Occupational Therapists mostly work within the hospital setting, but may occasionally visit a child's home or school in order to offer advice or support.
Our aim is to enable each child to discover just how much they can do for themselves: as a child's confidence improves, so does their independence and sense of achievement.
Links