Role of the Occupational Therapist at Brainwave
Paediatric occupational therapy helps children gain independence and promotes the development of gross, fine and visual motor skills that children need to function and socialise in their homes, schools and community environments.
Occupational therapy is a key element in enabling children to succeed in their ‘occupations’ of playing, learning and self-help. The Occupational Therapists’ focus is on helping children to overcome difficulties with:
- Gross motor and fine motor skills
- Self-help activities
- Visual perceptual skills
- Sensory processing
- Bilateral skills
- Handwriting
When skills, strength and independence cannot be developed or improved, Occupational Therapists may offer advice regarding specialised equipment or housing adaptations that may be required to enable the child to maximise their levels of independent functioning.
During a Brainwave assessment, the Occupational Therapist will use a combination of standardised assessments, structured and unstructured clinical observations as well as gather information from the family, school or carers to establish a developmental baseline of the child. The areas that will be assessed include:
- Play skills
- Self-help skills (eg washing & dressing, toileting, eating & drinking)
- Visual perceptual skills
- Sensory processing and sensory-based behaviours
- Sensory motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Handwriting
- Motor planning
- Balance and co-ordination
- Bilateral integration
The outcome of the assessment will provide the Occupational Therapist with the information necessary to devise an individual Therapy Programme, which is often used within the school environment. The Programme will offer a range of activities to help improve motor and sensory skills, functional skills and ultimately maximise levels of independence. The Occupational Therapist can also offer advice and signposting to other services if required.
Occupational Therapists at Brainwave work within the multidisciplinary team, as well as collaboratively with the family and external professionals to ensure the best functional outcomes for the child.