Occupational Therapy
Supporting children to participate in meaningful activities
Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people improve their ability to do everyday tasks that are important to them. At Craighalbert, OT is about helping children become more independent by overcoming challenges relating to daily life activities. These can include; playing, learning, dressing, eating, going to the toilet or going to sleep.
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We believe in:
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Focusing on real activities - We help children do things they need and want to do at school, like getting dressed, making art, playing with friends and siblings, and moving between classes.
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Working together - We partner with teachers to help students participate in all school activities. We also work with families, local therapists, and other support services to help children.
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Considering the environment - We look at how physical spaces, social settings, and sensory aspects affect a child's ability to participate. We recommend practical changes that help children succeed.
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Finding solutions - We identify what might be limiting a child's participation and find practical solutions that build on their strengths.
What makes our approach and our school so special is our ability to work collaboratively with our Education team and our AHP colleagues, to help design the curriculum, work together on lesson plans, so that therapeutic elements can be integrated and woven throughout the child's day in a practical and meaningful way. For example, fine motor skills might be practiced during art projects, or dressing practice incorporated after a swim session.
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This integrated approach means your child receives consistent therapeutic support throughout their school experience, helping them develop skills that transfer to all aspects of their lives.
Our goal is to support every child's right to develop to their full potential, following the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy focuses on promoting, maintaining, or restoring health and wellbeing, taking a ‘whole person’ approach which includes the person and their wider world.
We help to manage pain, posture, balance, mobility, motor function and respiratory function, as well as promoting and facilitating participation in physical activity.
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Our Physiotherapists work with children and young people, families, school staff, and the wider team to help them achieve their full potential.
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Assistive Technology
Assistive technology plays a powerful role in helping children and young people with complex physical disabilities to engage fully in life. Occupational therapists understand that assistive technology is not the goal- participation is. The focus is on using assistive technology to remove barriers that prevent children from engaging in education, play, and social activities.
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With the right tools and support, children can overcome physical or communication challenges that may otherwise limit their opportunities. Specialist technologies- such as communication devices that speak a child’s chosen words on their behalf, adapted switches or joysticks, accessible software, and smart home tools- are carefully matched to each child’s individual needs.
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These technologies empower children to:
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Take part in classroom activities
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Communicate with teachers, friends, and family
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Control aspects of their environment
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Build independence in daily routines
When children can express themselves and do more for themselves, it lifts their confidence, strengthens their skills, and supports their emotional wellbeing.
Assistive technology represents more than just equipment- it’s a pathway to inclusion. By enabling participation, we open doors to education, play, and social activities.
Importantly, the benefits extend beyond the classroom. The skills children develop through using assistive technology prepare them for a more inclusive future- at home, in school, and in the wider community.
Powered Mobility
Why Powered Mobility Matters
Powered mobility devices can offer children with disabilities the freedom of self-initiated, independent movement for play, learning, and developing driving skills. For children who have significant difficulties moving independently, these devices become gateways to exploration, peer interaction, and full participation in educational, social, and play activities.
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Developmental Benefits
Research shows that independent movement supports cognitive development, builds spatial awareness, and creates countless opportunities for play and joy! We believe early introduction to powered mobility can have profound, long-lasting benefits, increasing independence, providing dynamic opportunities to explore environments, and fostering active engagement with the world around them.
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By giving your child control over their movement, powered mobility opens doors to new experiences and developmental milestones that might otherwise be inaccessible, helping them build confidence and independence for life.
Our Powered Mobility Options
Craighalbert offers several specialised mobility solutions to meet different needs. Our equipment includes a Permobil Mini Explorer for our littlest children, two Meru Bugzi chairs designed for younger children, and a Drive Deck that can be adapted to accommodate for various seating systems. These specialised devices allow children to experience different mobility solutions based on their individual needs and abilities.
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Additional Support Services
Our comprehensive approach extends beyond equipment provision. We support families through the NHS Wheelchair Services referral process and connect them with Whizz-Kidz, an organization that provides wheelchair options beyond what's available through statutory services. Our Therapy team works closely with our Learning team to help children develop their wheelchair skills, whether using powered or manual wheelchairs, ensuring they gain confidence and independence throughout their mobility journey.
Supporting your Child's Independence: Occupational Therapy at Work
Our Occupational Therapists help your child master the everyday activities that matter most - from getting dressed to eating meals and participating in school activities.
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Understanding Your Child's Unique Needs
We start by watching, assessing, and talking with you and others who know your child best. This gives us a complete picture of their strengths and challenges with daily tasks, allowing us to create strategies tailored specifically to your child.
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Practical Solutions for Everyday Challenges
Your child might benefit from:
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Breaking down complicated tasks into simpler steps
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Specially adapted clothes with easier fasteners, or hands-on help that decreases as your child gains confidence
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Mealtime assistance with specially designed utensils or positioning techniques to help your child eat more independently, in partnership with our Speech and Language Therapists
Creating Supportive Environments
We may suggest helpful equipment or simple changes to your child's surroundings at school, while coordinating with community therapists to ensure similar support at home.
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Our therapists work closely with both families and teachers, ensuring techniques can be consistently used throughout your child's day. We'll show you practical ways to incorporate these strategies into everyday routines.
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With creativity, expertise, and respect for your child's preferences, we turn daily challenges into stepping stones toward greater independence and confidence.
Enquire about a placement
If you feel Craighalbert is the right place to support both your child and you, click the link below to submit an enquiry.
or you can call us on 01236 456 100 or email us admin@craighalbert.org.uk