Occupational Therapy
“Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through engagement in occupation.”
— World Federation of Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapy (OT) supports individuals across all stages of life by enabling participation in everyday activities (occupations) that are essential for living, learning, and personal growth.
Interventions may include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social settings, assisting individuals recovering from injury to regain skills, and supporting older adults experiencing physical or cognitive changes.
School-Based Occupational Therapy
At Lantern School, occupational therapy focuses on enhancing learners’ ability to access and succeed in the classroom. Support may include:
- Developing handwriting and fine motor skills to complete written work.
- Assisting learners in organising their workspace and environment.
- Collaborating with teachers to adapt classrooms and materials to promote successful participation.
What Occupational Therapists Do
Occupational therapists at Lantern School provide a holistic range of services, which include:
- Assessing a child’s performance in critical developmental areas.
- Observing the child’s home and school environment to recommend modifications that encourage development.
- Developing treatment plans in coordination with other professionals involved in the learner’s care.
- Recommending adaptive equipment to support the development of age-appropriate abilities.
How Parents and Caregivers Can Help
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in supporting learners by:
- Staying informed and involved in the child’s treatment plan.
- Following up with the occupational therapist and other professionals to monitor progress.
- Encouraging developmental activities at home to reinforce therapy goals.
Eye Tests
Vision screenings for Lantern learners are done once a year on-site. All primary school learners are screened yearly while high school learners are done via referrals.
Parents can contact Spec-Savers via their website, for free screenings for children under 12, and reduced rates for learners under 18.
Areas of Development Addressed at Lantern School
1. Motor Development
- Gross Motor Skills: Large muscle movements such as walking, jumping, and climbing. Therapy may focus on muscle tone, coordination, and balance.
- Fine Motor Skills: Precision movements, e.g., handwriting, cutting, and using utensils. Therapists evaluate underlying skills like strength, coordination, and motor control. Handwriting, a complex skill, is carefully supported as it directly impacts classroom performance.
2. Visual Perception Development
Visual perception involves interpreting what we see, and it links closely with memory, attention, and learning. Areas addressed include:
- Position in Space – understanding object placement.
- Visual-Spatial Relationships – perceiving how objects relate to each other.
- Form Constancy – recognising shapes regardless of size, colour, or orientation.
- Figure-Ground Perception – focusing on key details despite background distractions.
- Visual Discrimination – distinguishing similarities and differences.
- Visual Closure – recognising incomplete forms.
- Visual Memory & Sequential Memory – recalling and reproducing visual information.
3. Sensory Integration
Based on Ayers’ definition (1972), sensory integration is how the brain organises sensory input to support effective functioning. Challenges in this area may cause distractibility, hyperactivity, or under-responsiveness. OT helps learners regulate sensory input, manage emotions, and improve focus.
4. Cognitive Development
Cognitive skills include memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. Therapy may involve:
- Teaching study and learning strategies.
- Guiding decision-making and problem-solving.
- Assisting with organisation, time management, and memory training.
- Improving attention and helping learners apply skills across environments.
Summary
Occupational therapy at Lantern School provides learners with essential support to build independence, confidence, and academic success. By addressing motor, perceptual, sensory, and cognitive development, our occupational therapists empower learners to reach their full potential—both in school and beyond.
