Occupational Therapists

We are a group of Specialist Learning Disability Occupational Therapists (OT) covering the city and county within 4 localities: City, South, North and West.

Our service is for adults over 18 with a confirmed diagnosis of an Intellectual Disability, sometimes called a Learning Disability. We work closely with other health professionals and social care.

What we can help with

Primary reason for the referral to the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) occupational therapy team must relate to the impact of the person's intellectual disability when performing self-care, leisure and / or productive tasks.

OT's are experts in activity analysis. They assess the person's abilities and difficulties and ensure activities are appropriate for the person's level of ability. They also maximise a person's potential to complete tasks by using adaptation and grading. The IDD Occupational Therapy team works collaboratively with clients and carers to set personalised goals for input.

The purpose of the referral must be linked to the overcoming of barriers which are currently preventing the client from engaging in meaningful occupation (activity).

IDD Occupational Therapists can help with:

• Sensory assessment and based intervention: Linked to behaviour of concern, behaviours of distress, or impacting person's participation in occupation (activity).
• Dementia screening and training: Where the person is in cognitive decline and a baseline of function skills is required or support with adaptation or adjustment.
• Activities of daily living: Linked to promoting independence and quality of life outcomes, understanding skills and enablement.
• Development and understanding of roles and routines: Where impact of occupational deprivation is adversely impacting client's health.

This may include:

• Working with family and support staff.
• Giving you advice.
• Working with social care and other agencies.
• Working with other health professionals e.g. doctors, hospitals or dentists etc.