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Self-care skills

Find out how we can help

Helping children develop independence and confidence

Learning to perform basic self-care tasks such as dressing, teeth cleaning and using cutlery are important milestones on the journey towards independence.

We regularly assist parents and school staff concerned about a child's development towards their self-care. And when we help children with these skills, we typically observe improvements in other areas of development too, including their academic progress and behaviour.

How OT's help

Whether your child's school has expressed concerns, or you have noticed difficulties yourself, we can help. Some of the most common reasons for approaches to us include:

  • Avoidance of certain tasks
  • Changes in behavior at certain moments of the day such as bath-time
  • Difficulty using cutlery or other basic tools
  • Problems with dressing, especially with buttons or zips
  • Over-reliance on adults, siblings or friends

Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify the nature of your child's difficulties, and the reasons for them. Once identified, we can work with you and your child to put in place a plan to address them.

Packages of care

We are flexible around the needs of your child and family and offer a variety of treatment packages to ensure we provide the right solution for you. All of our interventions are oriented towards ensuring that you and your child see measurable improvements.

This might include one or more of the following:

  • An eight-week block of one-to-one bespoke treatment sessions, delivered to your child at home or school, after which we will review and plan the next steps with you
  • An intensive block of treatment delivered over the holidays - this is popular with overseas families, or those with limited weekend or after-school capacity in term time
  • A home and school programme providing practical, everyday techniques, with advice and support to ensure that the approach is consistent throughout your child's day
  • Attendance at a children's independence group at weekends or over the holidays

Common areas we work on

Through our assessment we will identify the specific areas of self-care that your child is struggling with, and the source of these difficulties, allowing us to plan a targeted treatment programme.

Some of the most common areas that we would expect to be working on are:

  • Visual perception and sensory processing
  • Body awareness
  • Sequencing and planning
  • Gross and fine motor skills
  • Balance and dexterity
  • Working with parents and schools to ensure that the right approaches to handwriting continue even when the OT is not present

Schools, LEAs and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

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Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with self care difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you and your child are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated paediatric team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you and your child at home or school at a time convenient for you, with no clinics or waiting lists, offering after-school and weekend appointments where necessary
  • We devise home and school-based treatment plans to ensure that our assessment and advice is relevant to each child’s unique environment
  • Our nationwide network of registered children’s occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • Intensive treatment available during the school holidays
  • We believe our role is to equip you and your child to become as autonomous as possible – ultimately independent of, and not dependent upon, the help we provide

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Schools

Delivering individual or group therapy for children, or advice and training to up-skill members of staff.

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LEA's

Occupational therapy provision at home or school as recommended in an EHCP or Statement on behalf of LEA's.

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Case Managers

Providing OT to families & children with complex or multiple needs to achieve optimum independence.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

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Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our paediatric client management team, who will be able to understand what your child's difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange an assessment visit at home or school, a mixture of formal and observational methods - as well as conversation with yourself, your child and their school - after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations, together with practical advice on how to help your child. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our paediatric specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in helping children grow in independence with their self care.

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Natalie

Kent, South East of England

Natalie is a Paediatric OT working across Kent and the South East, providing support to children and their families.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Sharon

Surrey, South East of England

Based in Surrey, Sharon is a Paediatric OT delivering expert therapy for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Joanne

Birmingham, Worcestershire

Located in Birmingham, Joanne is a Paediatric OT delivering expert assessments and treatments for children in the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Catarina

London - East, London

Based in London, Catarina is a Paediatric OT who specialises in Sensory Integration assessments and interventions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Tamsin

London - South, London

Based in London, Tamsin is an expert Speech and Language Therapist who supports children in both home and school settings.

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Profession

Speech and Language Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Behaviour management, School Based Therapy/Support

Lucy

Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham

With over 10 years’ experience, Lucy is an experienced Paediatric OT visiting children and their families across the North East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Chailey Postural Management, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Janet

Kent, South East of England

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Tina

Glasgow, East Renfrewshire

Tina is a Paediatric OT specialising in Sensory Integration. She is based in Glasgow and visits children across Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow (City of), Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Joy

West Lothian, Scotland

Joy is located in Falkirk, providing specialist Housing and Equipment interventions for adults and children across Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Clackmannan, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Lothian

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments

Richelle

Surrey, South East of England

Specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation and Paediatrics, Richelle is an OT based in Epsom, Surrey, visiting clients across the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Catriona

London - South, London

Based in London, Catriona is an expert Paediatric OT, working with children with complex needs and conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England , London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Lorna

Shropshire, West Midlands

Lorna is a Paediatric OT located in Shropshire, supporting with sensory and motor needs for clients across the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Powys, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Counselling, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Liz

Surrey, South of England

Liz is a highly skilled Paediatric OT working with children and their families across Kent, London, Surrey, and Sussex.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Behaviour management, Balance, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Makaton, Sensory attachment intervention

Lynn

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Lynn is an expert Paediatric Occupational Therapist, working with children in the East Midlands and Lincolnshire with Sensory Processing needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Ganga

Kent, South East of England

Ganga is a highly experienced OT delivering specialist rehabilitation for adults and children across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Social integration

Hannah

Hampshire, South of England

Specialising in Paediatrics, Hannah is an experienced OT located in Basingstoke.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills

Alison

Coventry, West Midlands

Based in Coventry, Alison has been a Paediatric OT for over 10 years, specialising in fine motor skills and handwriting.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Coventry

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Carien

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Carien provides expert Paediatric Occupational Therapy helping children with handwriting, sensory, and complex physical needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Cumbria, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Kelly

London - East, London

Based in London, Kelly is a Paediatric OT offering holistic intervention for children with autism, learning disabilities, and sensory difficulties.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - North, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Claire

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Trained in advanced handwriting and sensory integration techniques, Claire is an experienced Paediatric OT helping children across the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, South East of England, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Counselling, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment

Vimbai

Bedfordshire, South East of England

Vimbai is a Paediatric OT based in Bedford, providing expert therapy for children across London and the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Kirsty

Renfrewshire, Scotland

Kirsty is an expert Paediatric OT who supports children with a range of conditions across West Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling

Lucy

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Lucy is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist offering expert advice and treatment. She visits clients across London, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Surrey, London - North

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Conductive education

Specialist skills

Counselling, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Jo

London

Jo is a paediatric physiotherapist providing expert assessments and treatment for children across London and the home counties.

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Profession

Physiotherapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support

Shira

London - Central, Middlesex

Shira is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist specialising in Sensory Integration. She is based in London, visiting clients across the city.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - North, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, School Based Therapy/Support

Manpreet

Staffordshire, West Midlands

Located in Stafford, Manpreet is a Paediatric OT with expertise in Autism and Sensory Integration.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Marie

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Based in Evesham, Worcestershire, Marie is a Paediatric OT specialising in neurological conditions and brain injury.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Katy

Durham, North East England

Katy is a Paediatric OT based in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, experienced helping with a variety of physical and sensory needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Cleveland, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Chailey Postural Management, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support

Amanda

Hampshire, South of England

Based in Hampshire, Amanda is an experienced Paediatric OT helping children and their families with a wide range of needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Amie

Somerset, West and South West of England

Based in Somerset, Amie is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Neuro-Rehabilitation and visiting clients across the county.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Self-Care and Mental Well-Being: Do we practice what we preach?

OT Claire specialises in enduring and complex mental health conditions. In this Expert Blog she shares her reflections, insights and advice on mental well-being, stress and resilience as a health professional.

Read more

Our news & press

Our YouTube channel is live

We are delighted to announce the launch of our YouTube channel. The first videos are focused on our paediatric developmental services. Told through OT Practice Kids clients and their families, we explain our ethos for working with children is to focus on resolving their difficulties not their diagnosis.

Read more