Community Children Occupational Therapy
Community Occupational Therapy
The Community Occupational Therapy (OT) Service is part of Evelina London Children’s Community Services, under Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. We are based at Sunshine House and Mary Sheridan Centre and provide an occupational therapy service in Lambeth and Southwark.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy helps people take part in daily life to improve their health and wellbeing. For children and young people this might include helping them with eating, washing, using the toilet, doing their schoolwork or playing with friends and hobbies.
What does an occupational therapist do?
The role of the children's occupational therapist (OT) is to work with babies, young children and school-aged children who have difficulties with the practical skills they need to succeed in everyday life.
An OT will aim to enable a child to be as independent as possible in self-care, school work and play.
Our OTs and technicians provide specialist assessments to identify the underlying difficulties impacting on your child's function (for example motor, sensory or perceptual skills). We provide therapy intervention and recommend appropriate strategies to help children overcome these difficulties.
We work with parents and people who know your child best, to enable you to support your child and help them achieve their potential at home, school and during play.
Things we can help with
- self-care skills - getting dressed, using cutlery, moving around with ease
- school skills - handwriting, using scissors, attention, visual perception, sitting positions
- play skills - developmental play, taking turn, playing with others, messy play
- upper limb and hand function - strength, tone, range of movement
- co-ordination skills - smooth/jerky movements, using two hands together
- sensory processing skills (how a child understands information from the outside world) - loud noises, bright lights, or different textures.
Where do we work?
We work in a variety of settings including child health centres, schools, nurseries and in your home. We aim to work in partnership with your child, their family and other professionals.
How can I access this service?
We take referrals from parents/carers, other health professionals, nurseries and schools. When you contact us we can help you with this.
For more information, please visit our website https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/our-services/community/community-occupational-therapy/overview.aspx