Working in partnership with our colleagues in LBN, Children's Centres and Health Visiting,  we first recommend that you speak with your health visitor/specialist health visitor.  They will be able to advise and support you and your child with their general development.

Feel free to access the pages on our website where you will find a variety of videos and resources  on topics such as dressing, toileting, self-feeding, play, gross and fine gross motor skills.

Follow our link to find the timetable and location for your local Children’s Centre where you will have the chance to speak to a member of the Children’s OT Team at one of the many Stay and Play Sessions.  

We are currently working closely with our Speech and Language colleagues, developing a joint offer for children of Pre school age. The OT part of this offer will include parent workshops. 

Here we will provide parents with tools and strategies to support your child as they continue on their journey within Specialist Children & Young People Services (SCYPS).

One of the five sessions is dedicated to understanding your child's sensory needs. We will jointly identify environmental challenges, help set functional goals and give practical solutions to support your child's participation and engagement in everyday tasks. 

These sessions offer families the opportunity to meet with other parents and share their lived experience. 

Visit our schools model page launched in January 2023 where we offer school based support at geographical sites around the borough. Teachers receive training, group resources and consultation opportunities. 

OT Schools webpage

Please speak to your child's school and discuss reaching out to the allocated OT Team, who can connect with staff and provide school-based support.

We are currently working with our partners in post 16 services to develop more resources and links to support young people to access their local community and develop independence at this stage of their life. 

When will these sensory behaviours go away? Will they grow out of them?

A: Every child is different, and sensory behaviours are complicated. Sometimes they happen because of a particular environment like a busy setting. Sometimes they are just a way of communicating stress. All children change as they grow up, and it’s hard to predict what sensory behaviours might stay or go away. The most important thing is to focus on making sure they are safe, and thinking about what their sensory behaviour might teach you about how they’re feeling, and what they like to play with.

How can I help my family understand my child's sensory needs?

A: It can be challenging trying to explain your child’s sensory needs to family members. You can help your child by learning about them, and teaching others why they might do the things they do. You can share this webpage with your family, encourage them to google sensory needs to learn more, and remind them that everybody has sensory needs, some just look more invisible than others. For example, everybody likes different types of food, different types of music, some like crowds and rollercoasters and some people really dislike these things. For children, it’s extra tricky because they don’t always know why they feel the way they do, or what to do about it.

What can I do if my child is hurting themselves with some sensory behaviours?

A: It can be very challenging for families when sensory behaviours can cause hurt. Try investigating why the behaviour might be happening, what time of day, what could cause it, and what helps it reduce or finish. If you can change something in the routine or home that causes distress, try that, such as using the hoover when they’re playing outside, or playing music for them at the same time, if the sound is distressing for them. If you can change the behaviour by giving another option, try that, such as providing a chewy food like dried fruit if they are biting their hands, or helping them move on to a new activity they like, like sitting on a swing. If these behaviours continue, seek a referral from your GP for more support.