SEN Professionals

Special needs therapists

'When my child was diagnosed with physical difficulties I was told he'd need to see either a physiotherapist (PT) or an occupational therapist (OT). The referral came through to see the OT. Initially I was disappointed;

I thought OT was to physio, what a nurse is to a doctor, but I was wrong... I just wish I'd had a better understanding beforehand.'

A number of key personnel may advise, assess and treat your child, to help give them the best possible chances to realise their potential.

But precisely who does what?

Team work

In an ideal world, a multi-disciplinary team made up of an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, educational psychologist, speech and language therapist and paediatrician would be available to help every child who needs it.

Each discipline can add an important part to the jigsaw that is assessment and treatment. Unfortunately, lack of funding for staff, or staff shortages (a national problem), means this situation is rarely found. Even those who have therapies identified on their statement are not guaranteed delivery of provision.

How do they help

Mostly, practitioners assess and treat a range of needs and there may be a degree of overlap or interdependence between therapies and treatments:

An occupational therapist's role is a crucial one in independence training of all neuro-diverse conditions; physiotherapists provide exercise regimes to improve a child's balance, proprioception and co-ordination over a wide range of conditions.
Speech and language therapists are especially helpful with feeding difficulties; where language is delayed; or where there are communication problems in autistic spectrum disorders or dyspraxia.
Osteopathy can be very helpful for children who have lower-back problems and have never crawled, while cranio-sacral therapy may be helpful for autism or for children who had difficult or caesarean births.
A nutritional therapist will advise not only on a healthy diet, but also on the effects of specific factors; for example, research into the benefits of essential fatty acids hit the media spotlight in early 2005 following the perceived success of the Durham schools trial, and vitamin B6 and magnesium have been helpful to some children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Additionally, some of the schools that have adopted healthy eating policies report not only fitter children, but improvements in behaviour too.
Homeopathy may be helpful for sleep or behaviour problems.
Chinese medicine and acupuncture can be helpful for sleep and energy problems (too much energy or tiredness).

Exercise and therapy have a place too:

t'ai chi is an excellent exercise and mediation regime that promotes gentle balanced movement on each side of the body.
Karate helps promote good co-ordination skills organisation and movement - particularly beneficial to children with dyspraxia as well as promoting a positive outlook for asthma sufferers and helping those with behavioural or confidence problems.
Pilates is helpful in developing co-ordination and muscle strength, especially core muscles.

As with all therapies, some trial and error may be needed before you find the therapy to suit your child.

However, these therapies treat the whole person with gentle non-addictive methods and support natural development and maturation. Finally do remember there are cowboys out there, so please, only work with qualified practitioners.

Who to turn to first?

If you have concerns, speak to your health visitor or your child's school, or seek a referral from your GP to your local child development centre or paediatric service.

Early diagnosis from a paediatrician, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist or educational psychologist is important; the sooner the correct support is put in place, the better. Unfortunately, long waiting lists and limited therapy time are not uncommon. If this is the case, it may be worth considering contacting a private therapist who can work with your child and the school over a longer period.