Sensory processing difficulties and occupational therapy

[chloerobyn]

Hi,

I am a occupational therapy student in my second year of my MSc. I'm writing my dissertation on autism, sensory processing difficulties and the NHS children's occupational therapy service within my local borough. My daughter is a service user at this service and as they only provide assessment and generic recommendations to implement at home and at nursery, following sensory integration therapy principles. My expectations of support and intervention from this service were far greater than what this service offered, since my daughter's difficulties are extensive and significantly affect most aspects of her life. The service discharged her after we received the report with recommendations and did not offer a follow up appointment. Children with sensory processing difficulties are expected to live with challenges that impact their ability to function, manage and learn in educational settings with no specific treatment or intervention provided by NHS professionals, other than general recommendations to follow.

I wondered if this was a concern for other parents of children with sensory processing difficulties.

Any comments on this matter would be greatly appreciated

Is your question from a personal perspective or will you be using replies for your studies?

No it's from a person perspective only, I just wondered if this was an issue that resonates with others.

That’s fine, I just didn’t want any comments being used so thought I would ask before posting.

Sadly, this is a big issue in the NHS. Many areas don’t even commission sensory OT assessments or provision at all now. A mistake in my opinion, and perhaps other care wouldn’t be necessary e.g. MH care if sensory needs were better met.

Unfortunately, the issue is a wider issue and not limited to sensory OT. Similar happens with SALT, physio, MH services, community paediatricians and even other areas of OT.

If DC have an EHCP the way around it is by securing sensory OT provision in section F of the EHCP, although they may need an independent report and tribunal to ensure this. Then it must be provided. need be and the NHS can’t, or won’t, provide it the LA would have to commission independent provision. In some LAs parents find once it’s in the EHCP the NHS do offer it.

I think some DC miss out on sensory OT support because their parents and others don’t realise OT covers sensory aspects. Similar to people’s perceptions of SALT being focused on the physical act of speaking when it is about much more than that.

My daughter (ASD) definitely has some sort of sensory processing issue. I have asked for an OT referral and been told they only deal with motor skills issues. Will be asking again for our EHCP