Wide-ranging therapy that assesses and teaches life skills, fine motor movement and creative activities. Sometimes incorporate aspects of the arts therapies within their practice. Other areas that paediatric OTs work in include play therapy, making use of psychotherapeutic techniques; advising on such matters as positioning; sensory integration / stimulation; and embedding exercise within occupation. NOTE: not all OTs specialise in the same areas. They are registered with the Health Professions Council.
British Association / College Of Occupational Therapists (BAOT/COT), tel: 0207 357 6480, www.cot.co.uk Publishes registers of OTs in NHS and private practice. Advice about finding an OT, with links to the registers, tel: 0800 389 4873, www.cot.co.uk/public/findinganot/intro.php
Law M et al. Focus on Function - a randomized controlled trial comparing two rehabilitation interventions for young children with cerebral palsy. BMC Pediatrics 2007 Sep 27;7(1):31
Novak I et al. A pilot study on the impact of occupational therapy home programming for young children with cerebral palsy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 2007 Jul-Aug;61(4):463-8.
Siebes RC et al. Transparency and tuning of rehabilitation care for children with cerebral palsy: a multiple case study in five children with complex needs.
Developmental Neurorehabilitation 2007 Jul-Sep;10(3):193-204.
