OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
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Occupational Therapy (OT) enables individuals to increase their functional capacity in everyday tasks which are meaningful for them to improve independence and quality of life.
We assist through providing professional insight and recommendations through assessments to support the development of life skills. Within Paediatric Occupational Therapy, we assess children and identifying underlying areas that can impact their development, behaviour, learning and performance. This includes all areas of development, play, self-care or learning skills.
Paediatric OT’s use play based activities to motivate and engage children to develop a variety of skills and overcome any areas of challenge that is hindering their performance. Although therapy can look and feel like play to the child, the therapist is enhancing the child’s brain, body and skill development, which supports learning, builds self-confidence and sets the foundations for success.
PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS TARGET THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
- General development
- Emotional and self-regulation skills
- Anxiety
- Awareness
- Attention and memory
- Planning and organisational skills
- Sensory processing differences
- Self-care skills (sleeping, dressing, toileting and feeding)
- School readiness skills
- Prewriting/Handwriting skills
- Learning and academic pursuits
- Play and social skills
- Movement and coordination skills
- Fine and gross motor skills
Brooke is a certified Holistic Occupational Therapist, using a holistic outlook on therapy, with a vision to help individuals find their true passion by creating sustainable change from within and finding that self-love we all have inside of us. She is passionate in supporting others to improve their physical health, mental health, nutrition, mindset, relationships, purpose and so much more.
Brooke has a special focus on woman and children. Preventative health is an important factor for Brooke to uphold in her approach. Educating her clients on the importance of self-care, development, movement, mindfulness, sleep and nourishment is important to live the best quality of life.
CAN MY CHILD BENEFIT FROM OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
SENSORY MANAGEMENT AND SELF-REGULATION
- Always ‘on the go’ or struggles to sit still
- Finds it hard to concentrate
- Sensitive to noise, touch, crowds
- Easily upset or overwhelmed
- Nervous or anxious
FINE / VISUAL MOTOR SKILLS
- Struggles with fine motor activities (drawing, cutting)
- Avoids or has difficulty with puzzles
LEARNING
- Delayed school readiness
- Struggling at / dislikes school
- Slow to develop new skills or concepts
- Poor attention and concentration
- Poor retention of information
HANDWRITING
- Complains of a sore hand
- Fatigues quickly
- Poor letter formation or messy writing
- Poor pencil grasp
- Difficulty putting thoughts on paper
BEHAVIOUR
- Delayed school readiness
- Struggling at / dislikes school
- Slow to develop new skills or concepts
- Poor attention and concentration
- Poor retention of information
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS
- Uncoordinated / clumsy (bumps into things/people)
- Poor balance
- Difficulty sitting with an upright posture
- Difficulty riding a bike or learning to swim
ORGANISATION
- Need constant reminders to get ready or organised
- Often misplaces things
- Difficulty following instructions
- Reduced problem-solving skills
SELF-CARE SKILLS
- Difficulty with feeding skills
- Difficulty dressing, toileting, using cutlery, tying shoelaces
- Difficulty getting to sleep
WATER IMMERSION THERAPY
Research has shown water Immersion into hydrotherapy spa helps children to improve their body systems by strengthening bones and muscles, increasing circulation and digestion, stimulating reflexes, and supporting healthy respiratory and cardiovascular development. It can also boost cognitive and fine and gross motor-skills development.
Many parents who bring their child to this therapy find their child is able to settle better of a night and obtain a fulfilling sleep. Water Immersion has been known to help with several mild medical issues your child might be facing some of the common alignments being relief from colic and reflux.
Heated Mineral Enriched Hydrotherapy sessions are provided in our centre. These sessions are delivered by health professionals who are highly trained in Paediatrics. Our sessions include a Play-based and Music-based program that aims to foster and develop your little one’s fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, communication and social skills.
The mineral heated hydrotherapy spas are also a great environment for your child to relax into a fun and interactive therapy. The Minerals we use are specifically designed and created by the doctors and scientist at MG2+. With 4 minerals and 80 trace minerals it has been proven to relax muscles, increase sleep and improve digestion.
School based occupational therapy services can greatly benefit children experiencing challenges at school. We provide assessment and therapy services on site in a room provided by the school, and believe that working collaboratively with the school sets the child up for success.
Our occupational therapy services are provided in schools as a private service to parents. We work closely with the school to support teaching staff and the students we provide therapy to. Enlightened Living Co coordinates all referrals, assessments and therapy sessions with the school, and the payment of services with families. We just require a room on the day of therapy.
We tailor our assessments to focus on the area’s of concern which have been identified by the parent and/or school and work closely with those working directly with the child (e.g family, school staff, and other health professionals). This allows for goals to be purposeful, realistic and achievable. A collaborative process sets the platform for success.
Enlightened Living Co provide presentations and workshops to parents, teaching staff, health professionals and other organisations who are interested in professional development or further education.
We offer a range of informative and engaging workshops at your location of choice, and are able to meet your specific area’s of interest. Some of the topics include school readiness, handwriting skills, increasing concentration and attention skills in the classroom and at home, homework and organisational tips, emotional and self regulation and sensory processing challenges in children. We also offer a free introductory presentation explaining “What is Occupational Therapy?”, and how we can support you.
Please contact us and let us know if there is a workshop you would be interested in and watch this space for upcoming presentations and workshops.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOUR CHILD OR THE CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND STAFF AT YOUR SCHOOL OR CENTRE.