Occupational therapy for conditions at every age

Occupational therapy starts with everyday life, not a diagnosis

Occupational therapy looks at the things a person needs and wants to do each day: getting dressed, eating, writing, playing, cooking, working, studying and getting out into the community. When a condition makes any of those harder, an occupational therapist works out why and what would help. That is why Private Occupational Therapy plans support around the difficulties you describe rather than the name of a condition.

You do not need a diagnosis to book an assessment. Many families get in touch while waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment, and many adults have long-standing difficulties that have never been formally named. Where a diagnosis exists, it adds useful context. The starting point is the same in every case: what is hard right now, where it happens and what you would like to change.

Neurodevelopmental conditions in children and adults

Much of our work with children and young people involves neurodevelopmental conditions: autism, ADHD, dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder), sensory processing differences, learning disabilities, developmental delay, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. These often overlap, so one child may struggle with handwriting, dressing, sleep and noise at the same time.

Assessment covers motor skills, sensory processing, self-care and how a child manages at home and in the classroom. Therapy might involve building specific skills, adapting routines and equipment, or giving parents and teachers strategies they can use every day. Our paediatric occupational therapy service covers most of this work, with sensory integration therapy for children whose sensory needs are central. Where a child needs more help in school, an EHCP and school assessment can set out their needs and the provision that would support them.

Adults with neurodevelopmental conditions are welcome too, including people diagnosed later in life.

Long-term physical conditions and recovery after surgery

Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, chronic pain, ME/CFS, long COVID and arthritis share a common problem: ordinary activities cost more energy or cause more pain than they should. Occupational therapy helps people plan their day, pace activity, protect their joints and use equipment so their energy goes on the things they value. For children with hypermobility, this often includes advice on handwriting and seating at school.

After a joint replacement or other orthopaedic surgery, a home visit can identify the equipment and changes needed to wash, dress and move about safely while you recover. Our adult occupational therapy and equipment and seating assessments pages explain this support in more detail.

Mental health, and conditions not listed here

Anxiety and depression can make it hard to keep up with self-care, work, study and contact with other people. Mental health occupational therapy focuses on rebuilding routine and meaningful activity in small, achievable steps, and it can sit alongside talking therapy or medical care. It is not a crisis or emergency service: if someone is at immediate risk, contact 999 or NHS 111.

The conditions on this page are the ones we hear about most, but the list is not complete. If a health condition, disability or injury is affecting everyday life, send us a short description of the difficulties. We will tell you honestly whether occupational therapy is likely to help.