What is Occupational therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a science-based allied healthcare profession regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Occupational Therapists can work with an individual across various settings, including the home, in their workplace and in the community. The primary goal of OT is to empower people to engage in the activities they want, need, and are required to do in their daily lives. Getting the right balance in the activities we do is important to increase health and happiness, promote mental wellbeing, reduce stress and increase companionship. Occupational Therapists focus on an individual’s circumstances, strengths, aspirations and develop customised strategies to promote independence.
Occupational Therapists often tackle barriers that neurodivergent individuals may encounter in these various settings. For instance, in an educational environment, an Occupational Therapist could help students develop productive study techniques or improve their time management abilities to thrive at school, college or university. In the workplace, OTs can support individuals in maintaining employment by providing recommendations for reasonable adjustments to be implemented.
Occupational Therapists can enhance an individual’s overall well-being and promote social inclusion and participation in local communities by signposting individuals to community groups which are appropriate for them. If required, individuals can be supported to community groups until comfortable attending more independently.
Occupational Therapists can assist with independence around the home. For example, cooking meals, completing domestic tasks or managing personal hygiene.
For more information about daily living activities and tasks that Occupational Therapists can assist with, please refer to the “Activities of daily living” page.
What can Occupational Therapists do for you?
Occupational Therapists consider all your needs, such as physical, psychological, sensory, social and environmental.
Occupational Therapist can help in the following areas;
• Leisure and social activities
• Social activities
• Activities of daily living
• Sensory issues*
• Interoception
• Emotional Regulation
• Accessing health appointments by providing hospital passports
• Form filling, i.e. Personal Independence Payments (Initial consultation must be completed)
• Signposting to local groups or other services if we are not the correct service for you at this moment in time or require ongoing support.
We can work with individuals who have a diagnosis, are waiting for a diagnostic assessment or consider themselves neurodivergent without a diagnosis.
*we look at your sensory preferences; if you would like an in-depth sensory integration assessment and sensory plan, you will need to find a Sensory Integrated Therapist in Kent via the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
