Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists work with children in a variety of settings, such as:

• specialist departments in or affiliated to general hospitals
• children’s hospitals
• psychiatric hospitals
• schools
• residential care settings
• the child’s own home.

Occupational therapists are employed by:

• health trusts
• social services departments
• some independent special schools
• independent and voluntary organisations.

Children can be referred to an occupational therapist through the local social services department or their family doctor.

Occupational therapists work with children who have:

• physical disabilities as a result of cerebral palsy, spina bifida, head injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions
• limb deficiencies as a result of congenital problems or traumatic amputations
• learning disabilities
• developmental coordination disorder as a result of dyspraxia (children often described as clumsy)
• classroom activities – for helping to devise and implement handwriting programmes
• ensuring the effectiveness of seating adaptations in the classroom setting
• advising on and providing a range of equipment or adaptations for schools, especially designed for use by or with disabled children eg. splints, standing frames, wheelchair trays, adjustable tables, bookstands, toilet adaptations, hoists
• working through people – training parents and others, including teachers and support staff.