Speech and Language

What is speech and language delay?

• A delay in developing speech and language is common, occurring in approx 1 in 20 children
• Frustrated behaviour or ‘tantrums’ can result if a child is not able to articulate their needs or how they are feeling, leading to anxiety or isolation from peers
• This can have a further impact on learning and achievement
• If this persists, particularly after 2 years of age, an assessment to look further at the cause may be indicated e.g. autism, hearing difficulty or learning difficulty

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Ongoing Occupational Therapy (OT) Sessions – Information for Patients and Families 

Occupational Therapy (OT) – Goal-Based Therapy Blocks

Information for Patients and Families

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps individuals build the skills needed for everyday life and meaningful activities — including self-care, learning, work, play, and social participation. OT focuses on enabling people to live as independently and confidently as possible by recognising both their strengths and the challenges that may affect participation.

Occupational Therapy supports children, young people, and adults who experience:

• Motor coordination difficulties (e.g. DCD / Dyspraxia)
• Sensory processing differences
• Fine and gross motor delays
• Difficulties with daily living skills (e.g. dressing, eating, handwriting, organisation)
• Emotional regulation challenges linked to sensory or motor needs

Purpose of Occupational Therapy Blocks

Following an initial assessment, individuals may be offered a block of goal-based OT sessions. These blocks aim to:

• Build specific skills such as movement, self-care, handwriting, or organisation
• Develop strategies to support sensory or motor challenges
• Promote confidence and independence across home, work, and community settings
• Support wellbeing by reducing frustration and improving self-esteem
• Collaborate with families or employers to ensure consistent, practical support
• Where relevant, we can tailor provision to meet Section F of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Each therapy block is tailored to the individual’s goals, abilities, and preferred learning style, using evidence-based approaches. Goals are reviewed at the end of the block to determine next steps.

What Happens During Sessions?

Sessions within a therapy block may include:

• Targeted skill development (e.g. core strength, balance, dexterity)
• Task-specific practice (e.g. handwriting, using cutlery, dressing, workplace tasks)
• Sensory-based activities to support regulation and attention
• Strategy work with parents or employers
• Ongoing goal tracking to ensure therapy remains relevant and outcome-focused

Parents are actively encouraged to stay and participate in sessions. This collaborative approach helps ensure strategies carry over into daily life and provides space to discuss practical ideas for home. It also supports shared understanding and consistent implementation across environments.

Sessions may take place in a clinic setting or via telehealth, depending on individual needs.

Frequency and Duration

Therapy blocks are structured to allow focused progress and regular review:

• Weekly or fortnightly sessions over a term or intervention block (typically 6 sessions, 60 minutes each)

At the end of each block, progress is reviewed to establish whether further input is needed, whether initial goals have been met, or whether parents feel confident continuing with agreed strategies.

How Therapy Blocks Can Help?

Goal-based OT blocks can lead to meaningful improvements in:

• Daily independence (e.g. dressing, meal preparation, using tools)
• Motor coordination and endurance
• Sensory regulation and focus
• Confidence and self-awareness
• Participation at home, work, or in the community

Therapy blocks draw on evidence-based approaches, including the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) and Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), to support functional outcomes and promote meaningful participation. These approaches are selected and adapted based on individual goals, learning style, and clinical need.

Occupational Therapy blocks can build on the universal support already available through schools and the NHS. They offer a more focused level of input for children who need something additional — for example, to meet a specific goal or where universal strategies are already in place but further support is needed. Each block is shaped around clear, achievable goals, with progress reviewed regularly to ensure input remains purposeful and responsive.

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Initial 30-Minute Occupational Therapy (OT) Call – Information for Families and Patients

Initial 30-Minute Occupational Therapy (OT) video call

Information for Families

Purpose of the appointment 

If you’re unsure where to start, this 30-minute call can be a helpful first step in the OT pathway. It’s a relaxed, collaborative conversation with an occupational therapist to explore current concerns, ask questions, and consider whether further assessment or therapy may be helpful.

The call is designed to:

• Discuss priorities and daily challenges
• Gather background information
• Identify whether OT input is likely to be beneficial
• Outline next steps in the therapy pathway
• Share initial strategies where appropriate

This is not a formal assessment, but a practical and supportive first contact.

Who is it for?

The call is suitable for:

• Parents or carers seeking advice about a child with coordination, sensory, or self-care difficulties
• Young people or adults needing support with motor skills, organisation, or sensory processing

What to Expect

During the call, the therapist will:

• Listen to your concerns and observations
• Ask about routines, strengths, and challenges
• Review any previous reports (if available)
• Explain the OT pathway, including possible assessments and therapy options
• Offer initial strategies to trial at home or in school

After the Call

You’ll receive:

• A brief summary email
• Clear recommendations for next steps (e.g. assessment, observation, or review)
• The option to book further appointments if appropriate 

How It Helps

The initial call:

• Provides early advice and reassurance
• Supports informed decision-making
• Builds a foundation for collaborative care
• Helps ensure assessments are appropriate and individualised