The purpose of occupational therapy is to help the child to achieve or maintain their maximum level of independence and to develop practical life skills so that the child can participate to his/her full potential in the home and classroom environment. This occurs in partnership with the child’s family or teacher, within the child’s home or school community.
What do we do?
-
Assessment:
The occupational therapist assesses your child through observation in different settings e.g. play, school activities and undertaking everyday life skills e.g. dressing.
Assessments can explore the following areas:
- Sensory issues e.g. child carrying out excessive spinning or avoiding touch.
- Developmental skills including motor and play development
- Self care and functional skills such as feeding, toileting and dressing
- Fine motor skills in relation to handwriting and using a knife and fork
- Gross motor skills in relation to riding a bike, sitting posture etc
- Visual perceptual skills in relation to handwriting and other functional tasks
Assessment may include the following:
- Parent/teacher questionnaires
- Interviews with key people e.g. parents/carers, teacher
- Direct interaction with the child
- Standardised tests
-
Therapy:
The exact nature and amount of therapy provided will depend on the child’s needs. It could be in the form of:
- Direct individual or group therapy sessions, with a defined period of time prior to review
- Use of home and school programmes to integrate treatment activities into real life environments
- Regular review or monitoring of the child’s progress
- Consultation and training for school staff and parents
The OTs also participate in the delivery of the NAS Early Bird and Early Bird Plus programme for families and school staff.
Where do we work?
- In ASD units/provisions such as Netley School ASD Unit, Langtry Nursery ASD Unit and other specialist ASD provisions
- In special schools such as Swiss Cottage School
- Mainstream schools in North and South Camden
- Camden nurseries
- Other Specialist units
- Royal Free Hospital
Age range
Children from birth to 16 years of age.
Who can refer?
- Teachers
- SENCOs
- School/hospital doctors
- GPs
- Allied health professionals
- Parents
Who may be referred?
Any child aged 0-16 years with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/autism who attends nursery or school in Camden and who has difficulties in the areas mentioned overleaf. For further information on appropriate referrals please consult our referral form.
Where do I send referrals?
All completed referral forms should be forwarded to:
Betty Hutchon
Head occupational therapist
Lower ground floor
The Royal Free Hospital
Pond Street
London
NW3 2QG
Email: bettyhutchon@nhs.net
Telephone: 0207 830 2535
Once a referral is accepted the child will be placed on our waiting list and the referrer will receive an acknowledgement letter.
Service hours
9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday