Occupational Therapy

How Occupational Therapy can help

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Occupational therapy is especially helpful for individuals who are experiencing difficulties with:

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• Daily routines and independence (e.g., dressing, eating, grooming, toileting)

• Fine and gross motor skills (e.g., handwriting, coordination, balance)

• Emotional regulation and coping skills (noticing emotional states, managing feelings)

• Focus, concentration, attention, and transitions between activities

• Sensory sensitivities, sensory processing and sensory seeking behaviours

• Executive functioning (e.g., planning, organisation, memory)

• Self-care

• Self-esteem and confidence​

 

What services do Pathways Therapeutic Services Ltd offer?

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1. SENSORY PROFILES

Rather than focusing only on the challenge, we look at why a person might be struggling—and, in our experience, sensory processing often plays a major role.

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Understanding Sensory Processing & Sensory Profiles

Every person experiences the world through their senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, body awareness (proprioception), movement (vestibular), and internal sensations like hunger or temperature (interoception). For some individuals, their nervous system processes sensory input differently, leading to their senses being over or under stimulated. This is known as sensory processing differences.

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At our therapy rooms in Chester or online we use evidence-based assessments to build a Sensory Profile—a personalised map of how someone perceives, seeks, or avoids sensory input. The Sensory Profile™ 2 family of assessments provides tools to help evaluate a child's sensory processing patterns in the context of home, school, and community-based activities. This can be incredibly powerful in understanding and supporting a person's behaviour, comfort, emotions and function.

 

Benefits for children

Knowing your child’s sensory profile can:

• Improve behaviour and reduce ‘meltdowns’: Often what appears as "bad behaviour" is actually a stress response to sensory overload or sensory seeking behaviour. Understanding your child’s triggers allows us to build in calming strategies and modify environments.

• Support focus and attention at school: A child who seeks movement might benefit from built-in movement breaks or flexible seating. A child who is sensitive to noise may need noise-reducing headphones or a quiet space to regroup. The sensory profile helps us to put in place strategies that foster the most helpful environment for learning

• Enhance social success: If your child struggles with touch or closeness, sensory-aware social skills interventions can build confidence and reduce anxiety in peer interactions.

• Promote self-advocacy: When children understand how their body works, they’re better able to express what they need to feel safe and supported.

 

We often work closely with parents, caregivers, and educators to integrate sensory strategies into home and school life—making routines smoother, reducing daily frustrations and fostering a healthier and happier atmosphere.

 

How sensory profiling can help teenagers

Sensory profiles aren’t just for kids. Many teens and adults, especially those who are neurodivergent (including Autistic Spectrum Condition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or sensory processing disorder), can benefit from understanding their sensory needs.

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It can

• Improve emotional regulation: Learning your sensory profile can explain why certain environments feel draining, irritating, or calming—and what you can do to stay grounded.

• Enhance productivity: Discover the types of input that help you focus better (e.g., background music, movement, deep pressure) and those that may hinder your performance. This may be particularly helpful in school or for revision/ exam preparations.

• Reduce burnout: Many teenagers have gone through life masking their discomfort, unaware that sensory needs are part of their stress. Identifying these needs allows for proactive self-care and boundaries as well as an understanding of themselves that helps them to accept who they are.

• Strengthen relationships: When you know how your nervous system responds to the world, you can better communicate needs to friends, partners, and co-workers as well as advocating for or creating environments that work for you.

 

2. MOTOR SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION

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We understand how deeply motor skills impact everyday life—from zipping a jacket and holding a pencil to climbing stairs or running and joining in play. When motor development is delayed or disrupted, children and young people may struggle with independence, learning, and confidence. That’s where Occupational Therapy comes in.

 

Our motor skills assessment and intervention services are designed to support individuals in building the strength, coordination, and control needed to navigate their world with greater ease.

 

What Are Motor Skills?

Motor skills are divided into two main categories:

• Fine Motor Skills: These involve the small muscles of the hands and fingers, used for tasks like writing, buttoning, tying shoelaces, using utensils, and manipulating toys or tools.

• Gross Motor Skills: These involve the large muscles of the body and are used for actions like running, jumping, climbing, sitting upright, and maintaining balance and posture.

 

We also consider bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body together), motor planning (figuring out how to move through a new task), and core strength, which provides the foundation for all physical activity.

 

When Should You Consider a Motor Skills Assessment?

You might notice your child or teenager struggling with:

• Difficulty with handwriting or using scissors

• Clumsiness or frequent tripping

• Poor posture or core strength

• Avoidance of physical play or playground equipment

• Trouble keeping up with peers during sports or group activities

• Hand fatigue during writing or drawing

• Challenges using both hands together for tasks like tying, catching, or cutting

• Frustration or low confidence during motor tasks

 

These can all be signs that an occupational therapy motor assessment could be beneficial.

We take a thoughtful, child-centred approach to assessment. We begin by listening—gathering insight from parents, teachers, or the individual themselves to understand what's happening day to day. We want to understand what life is truly like for you. Assessments are based on standardised measures, observational assessments and our conversations.

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We tailor the assessment process to be developmentally appropriate, engaging, and stress-free—especially for young clients who may feel nervous in new settings.

 

Intervention that starts from where you are at now

Once we’ve completed the assessment, we develop a personalised intervention plan based on strengths, challenges, and goals. Our sessions are hands-on, play-based, and fun—because that’s how brains (and bodies!) learn best.

 

We also collaborate with families, schools, and other professionals to ensure that progress in therapy translates to real-life improvements in home, school, and community settings.

 

Why Early Support Matters

Motor skills are foundational to so many areas of development—academics, social participation, self-care, and self-esteem. Early identification and intervention can help prevent long-term difficulties and open the door to greater independence and joy in everyday experiences.

 

If you are concerned about your child’s development or noticing some challenges, we’re here to guide you with care, empathy, expertise, and encouragement every step of the way.

 

Empowering You with Insight & Strategies

At Pathways, our goal is not just to treat challenges, but to empower each person with a deeper understanding of themselves. Knowledge gives you the power to find solutions to overcome the difficulties and celebrate strengths. When your child or teenagers sensory profile is known, everything from daily routines to relationships can feel more manageable—and even enjoyable.

 

Through Occupational Therapy, we’ll work together to create individualised plans and strategies that promote comfort, confidence, and connection in everyday life.

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Ready to learn more? Reach out to book an initial consultation or to just ask questions. We’re here to help.