The Local Therapy Company specialises in paediatric occupational therapy...
We have extensive experience supporting families in securing the right support for their child in school. This includes collaborating with schools to implement effective programs and interventions. We can also guide you through the complex process of applying for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and advise on appropriate Occupational Therapy provisions.
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Our team is skilled in writing detailed, specific, and quantified reports for EHCP applications and understands the requirements of the process. We can also connect you with trusted organizations that offer legal or procedural advice.
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Additionally, we provide expert witness services for tribunal hearings and can accompany parents, with or without legal representation.
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Please contact us to discuss your needs. We are happy to offer advice with no obligation.
Referals
We accept referrals from a variety of sources, including:
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​Healthcare professionals who recognise potential challenges in children
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Schools seeking input for Education Health Care Plans
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Case managers and solicitors
Consultation
We provide a complimentary 30-minute initial consultation to discuss your child's needs. To schedule your free consultation, simply click the "Book Your Consult" button.
Coverage
Our independent occupational therapy services cover a wide range of conditions, including:
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
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Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Pathological Demand Avoidance)
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Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder
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Developmental Trauma/Attachment Difficulties
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Dyslexia
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Cerebral Palsy
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Acquired brain injury
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Stress and anxiety
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Delayed motor skills
Contact us today to learn how we can support your child's development and well-being.
Assessment
Our Occupational Therapy assessments usually take place in the child or young person's home and/or school over one or two sessions. Carefully selected standardised tests are used in order to compare performance with other children of their age.
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Non standardised tests and clinical observations are also extremely important in providing comprehensive assessment information. It is therefore important to ensure that the therapist working with your child has experience and additional training to enable them to accurately assess need. All our therapists have post graduate training in sensory integraton (Level 3 from Sensory Integration Education (SIE)).
Parents and children’s opinions and feelings are central to the process, and targets are planned which are child centred and motivating.
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Most parents also need a formal report to be provided for school, and recommendations for where to start and how to proceed are always included with a formal report.
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We regularly provide reports for children who require formal Occupational Therapy reports for an Education Health Care Plan or for Tribunal purposes. Local Therapy Company Occupational Thrapists are able to attend SENDIST Tribunals as an expert witness.
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Treatment
Not all children who are assessed go on to have treatment with The Local Therapy Company, but those who do will be provided with key equipment for trial and any paper resources required so that parents and school staff will have equipment and information at hand, ready to work effectively on the therapy programme.
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Treatment can range from Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), to a short planned intervention for handwriting.
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No treatment is undertaken which is not clinically thought to be advantageous for the child and which is considered to reasonably expect positive change.
Treatment blocks can be offered in the home or at school. Normally, six to twelve treatment sessions are planned, and then progress is reviewed in order to assess whether a further block of treatment is required. We work with parents and school staff to ensure we are working towards appropriate goals for the child, and we measure the progress towards those goals.
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Treatment is made to be as fun as possible, with the aim of building motivation and raising confidence. Most children enjoy the process and look forward to sessions as we ensure that we use good equipment and challenge the child at a carefully planned level where success is almost ensured.
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Please contact us to discuss your requirements. In the majority of cases, treatment must follow an assessment which has been performed by a Local Therapy Company Occupational Therapist.
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Parents
We understand it can be difficult to know where to begin when trying to create/establish new routines and implement advice. We provide initial steps on how to do this within therapy reports (where relevant). Some parents may be looking for additional support with this. We also offer one to one coaching sessions with parents (online or face to face where viable) to help support you to implement and review therapy advice once an assessment has been completed with your child.
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The number of sessions required will vary for each family and be agreed with you once your needs have been discussed.
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Coaching sessions involve using a collaborative approach with you as the parent and the therapist to help explore your child’s needs, strengths and difficulties and consider possible solutions and steps forward.