Occupational Therapy - self referral ?

[LIZS]

We are currently living outside the UK. Whilst here ds (now 7) has been identified as having Motor Skill issues, both gross and fine, for which he has received Occupational Therapy for the past year. This has been available through his school, to which his OT is attached, and funded by our private insurance (so far at least).

It is probable we will return to UK this summer and we would expect that he will continue to require OT to support his development in the classroom.

My question therefore is, how would we go about arranging a suitable therapist ? Could we find someone without having to start at the beginning with GP, which would presumably cause a huge delay. Can we self refer, with the reports from his OT and paediatrician to back us up ?

tia

[LIZS]

bump

[Fio2]

amazingly my friend is an OT with SN children! i will ask her if she knows how to self refer or any private therapists as I know in some parts (most parts) of the country OT's are non-existant!

[LIZS]

Thanks fio2 that would be a great help. My initial searches suggested that they are potentially quite rare, particularly those specialising in kids.

[heartinthecountry]

LIZS - I think unless you are going private it will be difficult to get a referal before you have moved. I have been told that you have to be living in an area before they will accept referrals. Which is crap cos it will usually mean a wait. If anyone knows if you can be referred in advance I'd love to know.

I also have a feeling that you won't be able to refer directly but will have to go through a GP. But that may vary from region to region. I know I couldn't refer my dd directly.

Probably none of which you wanted to hear! Hopefuly someone will come along and say I am wrong .