Occupational Therapy supports people to participate in the activities that matter to most of them. For children and young people, this means enabling them to access learning, manage daily routines, regulate their emotions and develop independence. 

OT looks beyond individual skills alone. We consider the interaction between the person, the task, and the environment. 

Occupational therapists are trained to identify how underlying sensory, motor, cognitive and emotional factors impact functional performance. These may present as:

• Difficulty sustaining attention or remaining regulated in class

• Challenges with transitions, routines or changes in expectations

• Avoidance of tasks such as writing or group work, including playtime and PE

• Sensory sensitivities or sensory seeking behaviours 

• Fatigue, frustration or emotional dysregulation that affects learning 

• Delays in gross motor and fine motor skills that have an impact on their participation and independence during self-caring skills

Through observation, discussion and collaboration, OT helps: