What is Paediatric Occupational Therapy?
Paediatric Occupational Therapists work with children to maximise their potential ability in specific areas and to increase their independence at home, at school and in their recreational activities. We liase closely with other professionals - physiotherapists, doctors, speech therapists, occupational therapists who work within social services, health visitors, social workers, psychologists, teachers and nursery nurses
Who do we see?
Children seen are aged 0-18 yrs, and can be seen either at home, school or nursery, sometimes a mixture of locations depending on need, equipment etc. e.g. home / nursery.
Children have a variety of diagnoses including:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spina Bifida
- DCD
- Developmental Delay
- Neonatal
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Down’s Syndrome
- Rare Syndromes
- J.I.A
- Brain Injuries
Areas Assessed
Children are assessed in the following areas:
Daily Living and self care skills
- dressing
- eating / drinking
- bathing, showering, toileting
- seating and positioning
- equipment, environmental adaptations
Gross Motor Skills
- posture
- motor development / planning
- balance
- bilateral integration
- co-ordination
Fine Motor Skills / Hand Function
- manual dexterity
- functional use i.e. cutlery, scissors, pencils
- laterality
- strength, range of movement
Perceptual Skills
Play Skills
Possible Treatment
After being assessed, a child may enter into anyone of the following options:
- Individual Treatment
- Group Treatment
- Offered a programme of activities
- Advice and liaison only
The decision on what the child will be offered will be made through comprehensive assessment and therapist’s clinical judgement.
Where are we based?
The Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service covers North and South Lanarkshire. We are currently divided between 3 bases:
Airdrie Community Health Centre
Airdrie
Tel: 01236 772 262
Cleland Hospital
Cleland
Tel: 01698 863 217
Douglas Street Community Health Clinic
Hamilton
Tel: 01698 368 700
If you would like further information please feel free to contact:
Marion Berry
Head Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Tel: 01236 772 261
Eileen Lochead
Head Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Tel: 01236 772 261
or any of the three bases.