Occupational Therapists work with children to help promote development of life skills, fine and gross motor skills, sensory and self-regulation skills. They can also recommend suitable equipment such sensory items, seating aids and pencil grips.

Occupational therapists work with our children to help them remain regulated and to overcome difficulties with sensory processing. Pupils will have either high or low thresholds for sensory input, meaning some will seek movement and sensory activity whilst others will seek to avoid stimulation and seek quiet, calm spaces. Sensory processing needs can present in different ways and include:

Sensitivity to noise
Sensitivity to smells
Sensitivity to textures
Sensitivity to light
The need for regular movement breaks
The need to seek quiet, calming spaces
The need to engage in messy/sensory play/fidget toys
Blurred or distorted vision
Oversensitivity or under-sensitivity to taste
Oversensitivity or under-sensitivity to touch
Hypermobility
Sensory overload
Poor interoception

Provision

We work with therapists from Speaking Space Ltd and together we offer a tiered approach based on presenting needs and EHCP provision:

Tier 1 – training for staff to recognise and respond to the sensory needs of pupils, daily Readiness for Learning provision to help pupils meet their sensory needs so they are regulated and ready to learn

Tier 2 – in class support and advice to fine tune sensory input for certain pupils

Tier 3 – sensory screening, which can be used to develop strategies to support the child’s sensory needs both at home and at school

Tier 4 – full assessment of sensory processing needs resulting in a sensory diet

The school’s therapist can work directly with families of children with high level sensory processing needs and may include meetings at the school or direct work within the family home to support the implementation of sensory diets within the family setting.