Occupational Therapy and Learning Disabilities

As part of our support for children and young people, Seashell offers occupational therapy for autism and additional learning needs which is designed to provide the essential help that children and families need.

Seashell’s team of trained specialists offer assessments to children and young people in their home and/or education or care setting to address the challenges that are frequently associated with occupational therapy and supporting people with learning disabilities. By providing assessments in a variety of locations, we place the children and their needs at the centre of the therapy’s objectives.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps our young people develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Our therapists work within our multidisciplinary team to provide occupational therapy and learning disabilities support. We also work hard to train staff to facilitate involvement in all activities that are important to the student.

However, occupational therapy isn’t just utilised for children and young adults with learning disabilities, it’s also used to help support those with physical disabilities. Our therapist’s overall goal is to promote the individual’s ability to undertake activities which will enhance their overall quality of life.

Our occupational therapy offering

The aim when delivering occupational therapy for children and young people is to support their needs and disabilities. This is why our therapists’ main focus is to prioritise assisting students in effectively participating in all areas of everyday life. 

What do occupational therapists do?

Our therapists work within our multidisciplinary team to provide occupational therapy and learning difficulties support, training staff to facilitate involvement in all activities that are important to the student, including:

• Enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement in taking part in activities which leads to learning and mastering new skills and developing positive self-esteem
• Physical wellbeing, for example, improved stamina may be achieved through taking part in an enjoyable activity such as gardening
•   Activities are opportunities for shared experiences and promote the development of communication and social interaction

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Occupational therapy for autism and complex needs

Our occupational therapy for autism and learning disabilities acknowledges that many of our students face sensory processing difficulties. When working with autistic children this often presents barriers to participation in activities.

Specialists here at Seashell focus on occupational therapy for learning disabilities using our facilities to provide sensory profiling, sensory assessment, embedded sensory strategies and sensory diets to help students lead more meaningful, dynamic lives.

Our occupational therapy provision when working with autistic children includes:

• Assessing a need for, and providing adapted equipment for students that will enable increased levels of independence e.g. angled spoon
• Assessing and treating sensory difficulties
• Advice and strategies to carers/staff that will enable students to manage sensory difficulties e.g. using a weighted blanket to reduce anxiety when travelling
• Providing advice and support that will help adapt activities for a variety of skill levels e.g. using cooking as a way to explore the senses, improve hand function or develop independence
• Providing advice and support regarding environmental adaptations to enable students to function effectively e.g. providing a low arousal setting within a classroom to assist the individual in concentrating
• Working holistically within the multidisciplinary team to ensure students are supported in all areas of their lives, and addressing all of their needs to achieve maximum levels of participation and engagement.

Find out more about how Seashell can help autistic children with their health and therapy needs.