Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy at Bensham Manor School focuses on the occupations and skills that are required to be successful at school. At Bensham Manor we focus on providing individual therapy to children who are identified to have a specific need for individual therapy on their Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP).

Our Occupational Therapist work closely with the teaching staff and other therapists providing advice and support to enable all the students to access the Curriculum. At Bensham we have one fully qualified Occupational Therapist who works four days a week. We also have visiting Occupational Therapists as part of Croydon commissioned service with the NHS.

What do we do?

At Bensham Manor we recognise the importance of maximising our students’ potential to learn and to become as independent as possible. We aim to equip the students with the necessary skills needed in everyday life such as:

• Fine and gross motor skills (e.g. handwriting, scissor skills, stair mobility)

• Visual perceptual skills (e.g. modified worksheets)

• Visual motor integration (e.g. bilateral integration)

• Alertness (e.g. daily movement breaks)

• Sensory processing skills (e.g. individualised sensory diets)

• Organisational skills (e.g. time management, daily routines)

• Independence and life skills (e.g. school hygiene routines, cooking, dressing, eating, self-care)

• Depending on individual needs, we can provide advice regarding seated posture and make recommendations for equipment and environmental adaptations.

Why would my child need Occupational Therapy?

There are many ways occupational therapy might help your child. If your child has marked difficulties that are affecting his or her participation and function within the school, please speak to the class teacher and they can refer the child for an OT assessment if appropriate.

What happens in Occupational Therapy?

An Occupational Therapist will evaluate your child as well as the environment and the task and develop individualised goals together with your child that address the identified need. Your child will then work together with the Occupational Therapist to help improve or maintain your child’s ability to perform daily occupations. This may include modifying both the task and the environment to allow your child to be as independent as possible. The intervention plan may also include for example a home exercise programme.