Occupational Therapy
At The Family Treatment Service we offer occupational therapy and comprehensive assessments at our London clinic. Our occupational therapy service is designed to enable people to live their lives to the full, by providing specialist practical advice and techniques.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is an evidence-based profession that seeks to enable a person to engage in everyday activities that they need, want, and/or have to do, that are necessary, meaningful, and supportive for everyday life. Occupational Therapists believe that engagement in these activities supports health and wellbeing both physically and mentally.
Who could benefit from Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy focuses on enabling people of all ages to increase their abilities and independence in daily living tasks.
Our Occupational Therapists work with children and adults with any number of diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, or physical health difficulties.
The aim of the intervention is to listen, support and encourage clients to re-engage or learn new skills in any area of their life that they feel is important to them and their future.
What difficulties can Occupational Therapy help with?
Sensory processing difficulties (e.g. easily distracted by noises, smells, or touch).
Motor coordination difficulties (e.g. clumsiness, difficulty engaging in sports, getting tired in lessons, losing attention or focus etc.)
Fine motor difficulties (e.g. handwriting, difficulties with dressing)
Anxiety associated with any area of occupational performance.
Difficulty with planning, executing and completing activities, including general household chores, personal care, washing and bathing, difficulty following instructions.
Difficulty going out with family to weddings, funerals, birthday parties, family meals and gatherings.
Recommending adaptations or equipment in the home environment in the case of physical disability, to increase independence in daily activities
What is an Occupational Therapy Assessment
An Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessment within a Family Treatment Service is a comprehensive evaluation that aims to understand an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and participate in family life. The assessment is typically designed to support children, adolescents, or adults who face challenges due to physical, developmental, sensory, or mental health conditions.
We offer the following Occupational Therapy Assessments at The Family Treatment Service. These can only be booked following an initial appointment with one of our Occupational Therapists.
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Handwriting Assessment
Handwriting is used to express and communicate language in daily life. It is a whole body skill, involving the integration of motor, cognitive, perceptual and language skills. Handwriting is not a natural skill and therefore needs to be taught and practised. If your child is struggling with handwriting, our Occupational Therapists can provide an assessment and intervention plan. This will include a mix of observational and standardised assessments, with tailored individual plans developed for your child's specific needs. Our Occupational Therapists will work collaboratively with the child, teacher and parent/s in order to provide the most holistic intervention.
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Gross Motor Skills Assessment
If the difficulties reported relate specifically to gross motor skills alone (e.g. difficulty with riding a bicycle, throwing, catching, kicking a ball etc) the our Occupational Therapists may recommend this assessment. This includes a two hour face-to-face assessment either in school or at home, discussion with key staff at school, a full report with person specific recommendations and an online feedback call. Please note this assessment is only available for children between the ages of 3-16.
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Fine Motor Skills
If the difficulties reported relate specifically to fine motor skills (e.g. difficulties with handwriting, messy eating, doing up zips, buttons, tying shoelaces etc) the our Occupational Therapists may recommend this assessment. This includes a two hour face-to-face assessment either in school or at home, a full report with person specific recommendations and an online feedback call. This assessment is available for both children and adults.
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Developmental Coordination Disorder Assessment
Developmental Coordination Disorder (previously known as Dyspraxia) is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. Symptoms are typically present from early childhood and include clumsiness, slowness, or inaccuracy of motor performance. Our service includes a three hour face-to-face assessment with an Occupational Therapist either in school or at home, discussion with key staff at school, a full report with person specific recommendations and an online feedback call.
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Sensory Processing Assessment
This assessment is for people who have difficulties tolerating noises, tastes, textures of food, or are highly sensitive to touch including feel of clothing on skin. It includes a one hour online interview, a classroom observation (children only) , a full report with person specific recommendations and an online feedback call. If you or your child has recently been diagnosed with a Neurodevelopmental disorder such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, occupational therapy or assessment for sensory processing needs may have been recommended.
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Home Assessment for the Elderly or Disabled
The assessment can help you to identify your goals and assess your ability to manage everyday tasks. These may include washing and dressing, meal preparation, moving around your home, appropriate seating, or advice on falls prevention.
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Occupational Therapy for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can have a huge impact on daily activities such as self-care, work or study, leisure and socialising. By using a client-centered and goal focused approach our Occupational Therapist can support you towards recovery by improving your relationship with food and your body. Occupational Therapy can be especially beneficial after being discharged from an in-patient hospital, day programme, or NHS out-patient service.
Occupational Therapy at The Family Treatment Service
The first step for accessing our service is a one hour initial appointment with an Occupational Therapist billed at £180. During this appointment the Occupational Therapist will work with you to identify the specific areas of difficulty you or your child is experiencing in order to tailor the most appropriate assessment or intervention. You will be sent a pre-screening questionnaire on booking and receive a summary of the consultation (including an outcome and plan) after.
Our occupational therapy appointments are for children over the age of 5 online and we kindly ask that only parents attend the initial appointment.
Subsequent follow-up appointments for therapeutic intervention are billed at £160 per session and can take place in our clinic, or in school / at home subject to a travel charge.
Our Wimbledon Clinics
Our occupational therapy sessions take place at our beautiful, welcoming Therapy clinic on Ridgway Mews in Wimbledon.
