Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses upon promoting health and wellbeing through engagement in occupation – that is, everything that a person wants or needs to do.

When pupils present with learning, emotional, psychological or physical difficulties, this can hinder their ability to grow, learn, socialize and play, resulting in them not coping with basic activities at school, such as concentrating in class or having the confidence to take part in playground games such as playing catch. This will affect their ability to learn, participate in school activities and make friends, which can be difficult, because ‘fitting in’ is so important to a child’s self-esteem and happiness. Through assessment the occupational therapist aims to maximize student’s development opportunities to support independence in everyday tasks, learning, and play and to access the national curriculum.

At Meadow High School, Occupational Therapy input is provided through:

  • Sensory sessions; in our custom-made Sensory Integration Suite, as well as group work designed to help pupils understand their own sensory needs
  • Functional groupwork
  • Behavioural intervention, working alongside the teaching staff and in classrooms
  • Assessment and monitoring of fine and gross motor skills
  • Observation of other functional needs including eating and drinking (in conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapy team)
  • Assessment and advice for any specialist seating needs
  • Assessment of mobility needs, such as wheelchair assessments.