NHS physio or private paediatric OT or neither?

[lingle]

DS2 (4.9) is progressing wonderfully with his receptive language and social communication problems and his sensory issues don't seem to be bothering him too much (even used a hand-dryer with ear defenders). He is growing in confidence.

I'd always semi-ignored the lesser problems with gross motor skills coordination as they are only mild - but to give examples, it was complicated teaching him to pedal (I had to break it all down by keeping the bike still) and he still goes down the stairs one at a time.

Yesterday I took him to visit a private paediatric OT practice to check it out. He had great fun, they were very tuned in to sensory issues; they basically follow Jean Ayres' philosophy and lent me a book called "Sensory Integration and the Child". They said he's doing ok, everything is "functional", but some skills are immature and need "fine tuning", probably as a result of his sensory issues, so they recommended some targetted practice to help him meet his potential. They recommended 6-8 sessions which we'd try to complete before he starts school in September. It won't be cheap, but we can manage it. This morning, he came down the stairs using one foot per stair for the first time ever and confirmed that the OT had showed him how to do this - so I'm pretty impressed.

I wanted to double-check I couldn't get anything similar on the NHS so called my GP today. He referred me back to the paed. to coordinate but said that it wouldn't be an OT, but rather a physiotherapist that we'd get access to (if paed. thought appropriate).

Can anyone shed any light on this? Does the NHS just not do sensory integration work, or would it be the same help done under a different name?

Where we are the NHS OT did a joint OT and Physio assessment first. Gross motor difficulties were ruled out as being a significant issue so there was no further physio input (although they said would keep an eye on this).

NHS OT then did a few sessions linked to sensory issues, but used our private sensory integration report as the basis for their interventions. However we have stopped going for a while as DS not been going to school and we were having too many problems with compliance (although can't help thinking that is a bit chicken and egg) - time to go back privately for a bit I think as they really engaged him!

So yes, I think NHS do do some sensory integration work - and certainly here would be OT not physio - but probably unlikely to be as well equipped!

Ampersand, the private practice was TIP - where you have also been.

I'm glad your NHS OT was receptive to learning from TIP's report. I wonder which NHS bit you come under - I am under Bradford.

Maybe I should go for it with TIP (haven't had the quote yet!) but also get back in the system re NHS - my feeling is that school may find it easier to take up NHS suggestions than private OT suggestions....

Will email you later if that is OK (need to do some work now, having concentration issues!!!)

when we tried chasing OT/snesory for dd1, we were told it wasn't available for her age group (ie those not at school)

that was when she was 3, and had clear issues.

no OT assessment for her in new county either, for Statementing, despite clear issues still.

we have given up asking/fighting/threatening, and have gone private.

dd1 now sees an OT for sensory integration, and it has been immediately obvious.

A LOT less stress wen out and about - noise doesn't bother her as much anymore (although still not at the using a hand dryer level, she can now use a public loo with them in use dby other people). her co-ordination has come on amazingly, and her confidence too. she can now use playground equipment on her own - even thigns like getting on a swing, where before she would try, the swing would move and she would not be able to work out what ot do, now she holds the rope, the swing moves,and she moves with it, still trying and co-ordinating her movements accordingly.

HOneslty I nver thougt I'd see her hopping along, one foot in a boat swing, holding onto ropes,etc - previously she'd ahve fallen straight over! it all looked so natural. she has so far had 5 sessions.

so, in short - nhs no help at all, sadly, paying works.

I would wonder about the NHS waiting list if you went down that route. Here it's 18 months for physio, OT and SALT - let alone the wait to see the paediatrician.