Diana’s Occupational Therapy Services

Diana’s Occupational Therapy Services Supervision for Paediatric Occupational Therapists, educational services and OT students.

Encouraging children and young people to take part in gardening can be a powerful way to support both Occupational Thera...
25/05/2026

Encouraging children and young people to take part in gardening can be a powerful way to support both Occupational Therapy goals and overall mental health.

Gardening naturally builds a wide range of skills. From a therapeutic perspective, it supports both gross and fine motor development through everyday tasks like digging, planting seeds, watering, and weeding. It also engages the senses in a meaningful and structured way.

Beyond physical skills, gardening can bring routine and predictability—regular tasks such as watering or checking plants help introduce structure into the week. As children begin to see their plants grow, it can also build confidence, resilience, and a real sense of achievement.

Importantly, it can also support emotional well-being. Being outdoors, engaging with nature, and focusing on the present moment can help reduce stress and anxiety, while encouraging calm and emotional regulation.

There is so much to be gained from time spent in nature. Let’s continue to create opportunities for children and young people to experience it.

Want to support your child or young person?

Contact us here 👇
💻 http://www.dotsforchildren.com
📩 [email protected]
☎️ 020 3538 8337

Eating more fruit and vegetables is often talked about as something simple- but for many children and young people with ...
21/05/2026

Eating more fruit and vegetables is often talked about as something simple- but for many children and young people with SEND, it can be anything but.

The texture, the smell, the taste, even the way food looks can all feel overwhelming. And because these can change each time, it can feel unpredictable and unsafe.

It’s easy to see why certain foods are avoided. This isn’t about being “fussy” or difficult - it’s about how the sensory system experiences food.

As parent carers, this can be a really challenging area to navigate, especially when advice from others doesn’t reflect your child’s lived experience.

Progress often looks like very small steps, taken at the child’s pace, without pressure.

Food should never feel like a battle. Understanding and patience can make all the difference.

Contact us for step-by-step advice 👇
💻 www.dotsforchildren.com
📩 [email protected]
☎️ 020 3528 8337

When we look at the skills our young people with SEND have, it’s clear they have so much to offer—being reliable, depend...
20/05/2026

When we look at the skills our young people with SEND have, it’s clear they have so much to offer—being reliable, dependable, good at teamwork, creative, able to problem-solve, positive, and honest.

So it raises an important question: if these strengths are so evident, why do so many still struggle to access employment?

For many, the barriers aren’t about ability. They are often about systems, assumptions, lack of opportunities, and workplaces that aren’t always set up to include everyone.

If we truly value these skills, we need to do more than acknowledge them. We need to actively create pathways into employment that are accessible, supportive, and flexible for all young people.

Inclusion isn’t just about getting in the door. It’s about what happens once you’re inside.

👉 Share this post to raise awareness.

This week is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸.It’s a reminder that a brain injury is never just a diagnosis - it can affect ...
18/05/2026

This week is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸.

It’s a reminder that a brain injury is never just a diagnosis - it can affect every part of a person’s life, from memory and communication to relationships, confidence, and daily routines. It also has a ripple effect on families and carers who support them every step of the way.

The message behind #𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗠𝘆𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 is so important: people are not defined by their injury. They are individuals with their own strengths, stories, and hopes for the future.

Let’s use this week to raise awareness, share understanding, and recognise the importance of ongoing support and rehabilitation.

Every bit of awareness helps build a more informed and compassionate community.
👉 Please feel free to share.

As a parent carer, it’s important to remember that behind every young person is a whole family navigating the journey to...
15/05/2026

As a parent carer, it’s important to remember that behind every young person is a whole family navigating the journey together.

Appointments, therapies, and care plans don’t just affect one individual -they touch everyone. Routines change, responsibilities increase, and the emotional weight is often shared across the family.

This is why a truly family-centred approach matters. When the whole family is supported, it creates stronger, more sustainable outcomes for the young person too.

Care doesn’t happen in isolation - and neither should the way we think about it.

👉 If this resonates with you, share it with another family who might need to hear it today.

As parents carers, you play a vital role in nurturing the everyday protective factors that make a lasting difference to ...
13/05/2026

As parents carers, you play a vital role in nurturing the everyday protective factors that make a lasting difference to your teen’s emotional well-being. Small, consistent actions at home can create a strong foundation of safety, connection, and resilience that supports them as they grow.

Here are 5 top tips to support your teen’s mental health:

𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
A balanced diet fuels both body and mind. Regular, nutritious meals can positively impact mood, energy levels, and concentration.

𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆
Exercise helps reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost overall well-being. This doesn’t have to mean structured sport -walking, dancing, or simply getting outdoors all count.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲
Consistent bedtimes, reduced screen time before sleep, and a calming night-time routine can make a significant difference to emotional resilience.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Meditation focuses on being present — in the here and now. Even a few minutes of mindful breathing each day can help relieve the stresses of everyday life and support emotional regulation.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀
Positive connections with friends, family members, teachers, or mentors provide a sense of belonging and reassurance. Feeling understood and supported is key to emotional well-being.

You might also consider creating a gentle plan together for situations they find more challenging. Having strategies in place can help reduce anxiety and build confidence.

At Dots For Children we are here to support your teen (and you as a parent or carer) to enhance your teen’s life experiences and emotional well-being.

Find support here:
🌐 http://www.dotsforchildren.com
📧 [email protected]
📞 020 3538 8337

Our profession thrives because we have robust boundaries in place and abide by rules governed by the HCPC and the RCOT. ...
11/05/2026

Our profession thrives because we have robust boundaries in place and abide by rules governed by the HCPC and the RCOT. Here is just some of the ways these support client-centred care:

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻-𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗱 – ensuring support is tailored to the individual’s goals, values, and daily life.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 – giving therapists a structured way to assess needs and plan effective interventions.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 – focusing on real-life skills (like self-care, learning, and social participation), not just isolated abilities.
𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – helping therapists work effectively with families, schools, and other professionals.
𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 – providing a foundation for choosing the right strategies and adaptations.
𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 – building confidence and independence over time.
𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 – whether in healthcare, education, or community environments.

We should always return to the idea that it’s about enabling young people to engage, participate, and thrive in their everyday lives.

👉 Like this post in support

08/05/2026

Many young people with SEND can struggle with self-esteem. This can come from finding things harder, comparing themselves to others, or feeling like they don’t quite fit in.

As parent carers, there’s so much you can do to support them.

Focusing on their strengths, celebrating small achievements, and reminding them of what they can do can really help build confidence over time. Creating opportunities where they feel successful, no matter how small, can make a big difference.

Most importantly, feeling understood, accepted, and supported at home helps them develop a stronger sense of self-worth.

Take a look at some of our top tips here 👇

Celebrating World Book Week with activities that every young person can enjoy and that it will look different for every ...
06/05/2026

Celebrating World Book Week with activities that every young person can enjoy and that it will look different for every family.

This week is a great opportunity to explore books in different ways whether that’s through play, movement, sensory experiences, or simply sharing a story together.

The activities we’ve shared are all about making reading fun, engaging, and accessible helping to build confidence without pressure.

Remember, it’s much more than reading the words on the page. It’s about enjoying the story, spending time together and immersing yourselves in the experience.

Take a look at some of our inclusive family activities here!

We all know how tricky it can be to practice skills at home, especially when there are so many more fun things to do!But...
03/05/2026

We all know how tricky it can be to practice skills at home, especially when there are so many more fun things to do!

But here’s something to keep in mind, therapy works best when it feels enjoyable. Adding laughter can make a big difference.

Laughter helps reduce stress, supports memory, and makes it easier for young people to learn and remember new skills. When learning is linked with fun and positive moments, it becomes much more meaningful.

So if things feel tough, try to bring in a bit of silliness and laughter. A shared giggle might be just as important as the skill you’re practicing!

As Occupational Therapists, we support you in navigating the education system and help ensure appropriate adjustments ar...
01/05/2026

As Occupational Therapists, we support you in navigating the education system and help ensure appropriate adjustments are in place at every stage of your young persons education.

Contact us to reduce overwhelm and increase support 👇
💻 www.dotsforchildren.com
📩 [email protected]
☎️ 020 3538 8337

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