Therapy Services for Adolescents
EHCP's, Annual Reviews and Tribunal
At FunctionAbility, we utilise a mix of standardised and non-standardised assessments to enhance the evidence for your child’s EHCP, providing tailored recommendations to support their development and attainment of personal goals. These may include (but are not limited to):
• Background information and Occupational Profile,
• Clinical Observations of Movement Patterns: Postural stability, Ocular Reactions and reflexes,
• Sensory Profile Assessment,
• Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) assessment,
• Developmental Test of Visual Perception – 3rd Edition (DTVP-3)
• Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC).
• Individual and caregiver interviews
• Classroom or other educational setting observations
As part of our services, we can also implement the recommendations required from your child’s EHCP, monitor goal attainment, provide evidence and re-assess the Occupational profile and needs of your child in preparation for annual review as well as for a tribunal case. Upon request, we can also attend annual reviews, tribunals and Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings (MDT) to ensure that your child’s goals and needs are being included within their EHCP and are being met.
Preparation for independent living
Preparing to live independently can be challenging for every young adult. Even more so for those living with mental health or physical challenges. These challenges may impact on a young adult’s ability to perform activities such as planning to shop, maintaining the home area or finding appropriate employment.
At FunctionAbility, we offer assessments and intervention to assist with preparation to live independently. This may include assistance with pre-vocational skills (such as finding work and post-schooling education) as well as instrumental activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, shopping and financial management skills. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist in preparing for independent living.
Parent and Carer Support
Occupational Therapists play a crucial role in providing parental and carer support for children facing difficulties. We do so by offering guidance and strategies tailored to your child's specific needs, aiming to enhance their functional abilities and overall well-being.
This support can involve educating and supporting you to understand your child's condition, helping you understand the impact on daily activities, and offering practical techniques to promote your child's development. Additionally, we collaborate closely with you to establish realistic goals and implement interventions both at home and in other settings. By empowering you with knowledge, skills, and resources, you are then able to effectively support your child's growth, independence, and participation in meaningful activities.
Sensory Integration
Sensory Integration (SI) encompasses the complex processing, harmonsing, and organising of sensory signals originating from both our bodies and the surrounding environment.
Essentially, it refers to how we percieve, understand, and react to sensory information, whether by acknowledging or filtering it out. This process is crucial in all our daily activities, including tasks such as self-care, engaging with others and productivity tasks.
SI intervention necessitates the expertise of a qualified SI Practitioner, who, at FunctionAbility, is an OT with specialist postgraduate training in SI. This entails an in-depth grasp of the neuroscience and empirical foundation supporting SI, as well as proficiency in assessing and administering interventions for individuals facing SI challenges.
SI interventions encompass structured exposure to sensory stimuli, movement therapy, balance regimens, and tailored physical activities and adjustments, such as environmental or routine modifications including development of a sensory diet.
For many individuals, minor adaptations to their surroundings or movement allowances at home or school can significantly enhance their ability to navigate daily life. If you believe that sensory integration intervention could benefit you or someone you know, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
It's common for children and adolescents to experience worry related to school events such as transitioning to a new school or facing exams. However, there are instances where school-related challenges, stress, or distress persist over an extended period. If your child is experiencing school-related anxiety or struggles to attend, it can be draining for you all. Mornings, in particular, may become exceptionally tense as you navigate your child's emotions while also managing your other responsibilities like work. Even if you successfully get your child to the school gate, you may anticipate their difficulties throughout the day or foresee encountering the same issues the next morning.
Occupational therapists play a vital role in supporting children struggling with emotional based school avoidance. Through a holistic approach, we can address the underlying emotional, sensory, and cognitive factors contributing to your child's avoidance of school. We collaborate with your child, family, and school staff to develop personalised strategies aimed at managing emotions, coping skills, and self-regulation techniques. This may involve creating a supportive environment at school and implementing gradual exposure to academic and social challenges. Additionally, we work with your child to identify and express their emotions effectively, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-confidence. By providing tailored interventions and ongoing support, we can help your child overcome emotional barriers, regain their enthusiasm for learning, and successfully reintegrate into an appropriate education environment that is right for them.
If you find yourself in this situation, please get in touch with us.