Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy helps people take part in everyday life to improve their health and wellbeing. They can help with activities, or occupations we would normally perform every day.

These are examples of occupations that young people need to perform.

Self-care occupations, for example:

  • getting ready to go out
  • eating a meal
  • using the toilet

Being productive occupations, for example:

  • going to nursery or school
  • volunteering

Leisure occupations, for example:

  • playing with friends
  • doing hobbies

Find out more about occupational therapy from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) website.

Birth to Settled Adulthood Occupational Therapy (B2SA OT) service

The Occupational Therapy (OT) team works with children up to the age of 18 who live in the Dorset Council area and who have:

  • a substantial and permanent physical condition
  • a neurodiverse condition and/or on a relevant pathway or likely to have a neurodiverse condition
  • a moderate to severe intellectual disability who are eligible for/or attend specialist education provision

And as a result of the above, they experience a significant impact on their activities of daily living. This may include:

  • washing/dressing
  • toileting and bathing
  • sleeping, seating and access in/out of the house

"Substantial" means the extent of the disability (caused by a person’s medical condition) which significantly affects their ability to carry out one or more essential activities of daily living.

"Permanent" means the condition is deemed to be life-long with little prospect of improvement, and / or there is a likelihood of further deterioration.

Find out more about the B2SA OT service.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can help restore movement and function as a result of an injury, illness or disability. You may need a referral from your GP.  Find out more about Physiotherapy on the NHS website.

Speech and language therapy (SALT)

Find out more about SALT.

Therapy services in Dorset

There are Children's therapy services in Dorset County Hospital and Poole Hospital.

The Children's Therapy Service sees children and young people in Dorset.

Find more information about occupational therapy support and physiotherapy support on our Family Information Directory.