Occupational Therapist

A team of therapists should be involved with the well being of your affected child throughout his/her life.  An adjunct to a Physical Therapist is the Occupational Therapist. 

An Occupational Therapist will assess and report on the following at regular intervals throughout your child’s life: 

• fine motor skills
• postural positioning and equipment
• sensory integration (which could involve a further referral to a Sensory Integration Specialist)
• feeding positioning and equipment
• self care

It is very important that therapists are experienced with chronically ill children and are readily contactable.  They need to be prepared to listen, trust your instincts and willing to collaborate with other professionals involved with your child.

A therapist should provide a written report of their findings after each assessment (not each session). These can be copied to all those involved with the handling and care of an affected child and provide information and techniques needed for carers to adopt on a day-to-day basis. 

These reports also help to monitor long-term improvements (or worsening) of an affected child’s state and therefore should also be copied to the Medical Professionals also involved with your child.