Introducing myself - Occupational Therapist, SEND Mum
Hi, just to introduce myself - I'm an independent Occupational Therapist. I have personal and professional experience of the challenges children with SEN face as my children have additional needs.
I have been doing face to face work with schools in deprived areas, but am moving now to offering resources for schools, therapists and families online, and am writing some books! I'm passionate about breaking down barriers for children, and making adaptations to make schools as inclusive as possible - fix the lesson/classroom not the child!
Recent Comments
I have been a professional advising on getting kids back into school.
Now I sit on the other side of the table as the parent. It's heartbreaking seeing your child in distress every morning. It's so difficult to balance your child's needs with work and to make the right decisions. On top of this is work and financial pressures of missed days. And the dread when phoning school and not knowing how they will react. Parents in this position have been through so much and are often struggling. They are the expert on their child. A few things that can help:
1. The first thing you can do is to take away the fear of being fined or prosecuted. Reassure parents that if their child is to anxious to come to school that the absence will be authorised as it would for a physical illness.
2. Ask how they would like to be contacted.
3. Listen to what they say may work for their child.
4. Validate that it's hard and that they are doing their best. This will mean so much.
5. Learn about masking and realise that lots of children who look 'fine' are anything but.
Hi Lynn that's fine. Can you include the link to this blog article I've written on these points please https://www.schoolot.co.uk/2023/07/13/emotional-based-school-avoidance/
I have been a professional advising on getting kids back into school.
Now I sit on the other side of the table as the parent. It's heartbreaking seeing your child in distress every morning. It's so difficult to balance your child's needs with work and to make the right decisions. On top of this is work and financial pressures of missed days. And the dread when phoning school and not knowing how they will react. Parents in this position have been through so much and are often struggling. They are the expert on their child. A few things that can help:
1. The first thing you can do is to take away the fear of being fined or prosecuted. Reassure parents that if their child is to anxious to come to school that the absence will be authorised as it would for a physical illness.
2. Ask how they would like to be contacted.
3. Listen to what they say may work for their child.
4. Validate that it's hard and that they are doing their best. This will mean so much.
5. Learn about masking and realise that lots of children who look 'fine' are anything but.
Just heard a few minutes so far, but a brilliant interview.