Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy improves health and well-being by enabling people to participate in activities in daily living that are important to them.
The Luton and Bedfordshire Paediatric Occupational Therapist Service (POTS) supports children and young people to engage and participate as fully as possible in childhood occupations (activities) such as:
- Play
- Eating
- Self-care e.g. washing, cleaning your teeth, toileting
- Dressing
- School and life skills, e.g. writing and alternatives to recording information and using scissors.
- Managing at school e.g. getting around the class / school, supportive seating, specialist toilet seats
- Hobbies and leisure activities.
POTS will see children and young people:
- Aged up to 18 years old or 19 for a child with SEND if in full-time education
- With a Luton or Bedfordshire GP
- Present with functional difficulties that are not in line with their overall developmental abilities (this includes academic attainment levels).
The POTS approach is based on supporting parents and schools to be aware of sensory processing difficulties and how to adapt the things around the child, such: as the environment; the child’s activities; our expectations and responses. POTS cannot change the sensory experiences of children but they can aim to increase participation and help you manage the impact of these at home and in the classroom.
POTS' sensory processing resources are available on the website (found below), including a training video.
Also included on the website page below is POTS' service statement which explains the service they provide, how they can support and help, and clarification over the offer for sensory challenges.
Where can parents go for more information?
You can find all the contact details, and information about referring to the POTS service, on the website: