We've all heard of Occupational Therapists – but do we truly understand the breadth and depth of their role?

Kim Griffin has been an OT for over 20 years and joins Dale for today's podcast 'What is an OT?'. Kim sheds light on the history of the profession, explains how the name was derived and how it can specialise in different areas; such as working with children, adults, mental health, SEND, orthopaedics and so on. An OT's role can support people across their lifespan!

Kim specialises in paediatrics and has extensive experience working with SEND children within schools. During the podcast, I ask Kim the below questions:

• What should a school use an OT for?
• What are the areas that OTs support in schools? Starting with the EHCP.
• How much work do you get to put in with the teachers?
• How can schools really maximise what they get from their OT?
• What do you need to ask for when buying in private OT time?

"If the lesson is too hard for them, no amount of movement break or sensory circuit or weighted blanket is going to help that child access the lesson." Kim Griffin

Listen to get a deeper understanding of the OT role and how you can maximise their contributions within your school to support your students.

About Kim Griffin

Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years' experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives. Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism. Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.

Contact Kim

https://twitter.com/Griffin_OT

http://www.GriffinOT.com

https://www.facebook.com/GriffinSensoryOT/

Useful Links

Description of OT by Kim

Fidget toys

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

The SENDcast is powered by B Squared

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.