Children's Occupational Therapy

Children's Occupational Therapy

The Children's Occupational Therapy team and the Children's Physiotherapy are based in the Child Development Centre, Horton Wing, St Luke's Hospital.  Occupational Therapists help children join in with or become more independent at daily living tasks at home, in school and during play.  Daily living tasks include activities like getting dressing, making snacks, handwriting and riding a bike. 

We work with babies, children and young people who have a range of medical and/ or developmental difficulties including:

• Physical difficulties like cerebral palsy and arthritis
• Coordination difficulties like developmental coordination disorder (Dyspraxia)
• Special educational needs
• Developmental delay

The Occupational Therapy team see children in the Child Development Centre, on the Children's ward at the Bradford Royal Infirmary,at home, in mainstream schools, in special schools and in nurseries. We work closely with other professionals to provide support for children and families.

Who can refer to Occupational Therapy?

Referrals are made in writing, usually by the child's GP, Consultant Paediatrician, Physiotherapist or other health professionals.  Interpreters can be provided for the assessment if required.  Families and professionals are welcome to contact the department to discuss a referral in more detail.

What happens at the Occupational Therapy assessment?

Assessments usually happen at the Child Development Centre.  We ask the family and child to tell us about their daily routine and this helps us to find out which daily living tasks are difficult for the child.  We watch the child doing lots of different games and activities and this helps us to identify any difficulties they may be having, for example with movement, coordination, attention or understanding.  We often visit the child's school or nursery to talk to the teacher about how the child is coping in the classroom.

Together with the child and their family we agree what goals they would like to work on.  We consider what skills are important to the child and the family.  We talk about what skills the child needs in the classroom.

What Services do we offer Children and Young People?

We offer a range of services to help children and young people. This would be agreed with the family after the assessment.

• Advice - we provide general information and advice, signpost families to other useful services and make referrals to other professionals.
• School visits - we work with classroom staff to help them understand the child's difficulties and support the child to achieve in the classroom.  Sometimes we recommend equipment to help the child join in activities, for example a special chair or different pencils.
• Group work - we see groups of children together and help them to achieve key life skills, for example getting dressed, using a knife and fork, making drinks and snacks and joining in with games.
• Individual work - we sometimes see children on an individual basis to help them achieve key life skills.
• Parent support - we aim to help the family in understanding the child's difficulties.  We teach strategies for encouraging the child's independence and confidence in daily living tasks.
• Supporting hospital discharge.

How can I get more information?

Contact the Children's Therapy Department on (01274) 365612