Occupational Therapy

Part 4

Paediatric OTs visit children at school and at home. Children may have difficulties in learning to write for example holding a pencil, keeping up with the class as they may write slowly, and it may be painful. There are all sorts of gadgets to help ranging from pencil grips, special scissors,  slant boards to raise the writing surface to help the sitting posture, to word processors/laptops which may be funded by education. Children may need some cutlery with shaped, lightweight or wider handles and cups with two handles to help their grip at mealtimes. They may need to wear wrist, thumb or finger splints at times, which OTs, physiotherapists, orthotists can make. Paediatric OTs look at how children sit on chairs and at the desks/tables, advising whether they need chairs to encourage their sitting development and their way of getting on/off by themselves. Children who fidget may be helped by sitting on a textured air cushion (often called a wobble cushion) on the floor or on a chair. Paediatric OTs advise how to play, helping with any clumsiness or dyspraxia/Development Co-ordination Disorder. Some children may need a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Paediatric OTs can work out how much help they need throughout the school day, without making them too dependent, and trying to encourage them to be as independent as possible with or without additional equipment.

I know a man who can! .. Please do ask your OTs about any disability matter. If they are unable to help, they usually can point you in the right direction for advice regarding transport, holidays, employment, leisure, for example. They discuss disability benefits, and some may help with the form filling. They can let you know about the Disabled Blue Car Badge criteria and how to apply.

OTs work in hospitals, some GP practices, within Social Services, in private practices (OTs in Independent Practice Enquiry Line - www.otip.co.uk) and in other places such as Disabled Living Centres (Disabled Living Centre Council www.dlcc.org.uk; Disabled Living Foundation www.dlf.org.uk). Your GP or other medical professionals involved in your care can advise whether you need to and how to see NHS OTs. The OTs in Social Services usually accept referrals from their clients who have telephoned, visited or written to the local Social Services Department. You can find out which is your local Social Services office by asking your GP receptionist. There is a College of OT for all professional matters (www.cot.co.uk). 

As everyone is different with their hypermobility, please do ask for an occupational therapist's assessment of your own particular needs.

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