Occupational Therapy
We commission an Occupational Therapist three days each week. Our Occupational Therapist works with the pupils to help them to develop functional skills for everyday life in the areas of self-care, life skills, academic pursuits, play and sensory processing differences linked to the pupils ASC diagnosis. Our pupils can present with a range of sensory differences including sensory seeking or sensory defensiveness traits and the occupational therapist works with class teams in a consultative manner to develop strategies to support the pupils and lessen impact upon participation and learning. Assessments are completed by observing the pupils in the classroom and playground environment and obtaining information from parents and teaching staff. The occupational therapist is also involved in delivering staff training on the subject of sensory processing differences and also parent workshops on a range of subjects linked to functional issues faced by pupils.
The school has two dedicated sensory integration rooms (primary and secondary) where sensory integration therapy is delivered if required and staff teams can follow sensory circuit programs designed by the occupational therapist. The rooms include specialist suspended equipment, a ball pit, along with a range of other pieces of equipment to allow the pupils to challenge their somatosensory systems and find the “Just Right Challenge”.