Butterflies Holistic Occupational Therapy Leeds & Yorkshire
Making positive change happen
Holistic & Bespoke
Leeds and Yorkshire
What we are all about
We are a Neuro affirming practice which means that we believe in a strengths and rights-based approach to developmental differences and aim to provide support and adaptations that affirm the child's neurodivergent identity. This is rather than thinking that we need to fix a child or cure them of their neurotype.
We are a friendly and reliable local occupational therapy service offering a bespoke and personalised approach within and around Yorkshire. We are non-judgemental, flexible and transparent.
We provide;
-1:1 assessment and intervention for children with a wide range of challenges,
- Group intervention for children (such as our school readiness group),
-Specialist training within schools and other organisations to enable engagement of pupils with the curriculum,
-Supervision for university students, such as long arm supervision and also for local authority occupational therapists,
If you have any concerns and are unsure if yourself or child needs input in anyway please feel free to contact us and we can discuss these concerns. If you do not want to wait for NHS assessment / intervention we are able to provide a considerably faster and personalised service to meet your needs.
Announcing our specialist Handwriting Assessment
We use a range of standardised (VMI, Motor Perception, DASH, Interoceptive Awareness Assessment) and non-standardised assessments to review sitting and positioning, fine motor skills and toileting.
Say "Hello" to our new team members!
Welcome to the team.... Sara and Claire
Sara and Claire will be completing assessments, 1:1 and group intervention as well as working across Yorkshire in schools.
We're Hiring!
Occupational Therapy Associate Roles
Butterflies Occupational Therapy is expanding. Having started working with children in their homes we now have a dedicated Sensory Integration Therapy space, school contracts and lots of clients.
We are looking for a band 6/7 who has lots of working knowledge of paediatrics and is ASI trained (L3 and above). With some training of our systems you would be working between 1-2 days a week to assess and work with a small caseload at our studio and/or in the community.
With this role you would be working as self employed and we would send the referrals to you and support you to build your caseload confidently and safely.
For more information contact
New specialist 'Cocoon and Evolve' training package launched
New training package launched July 2023
As Butterflies evolve, we want your team to come out of our training cocoon so that they are skilled and confident to work with the young persons / adults who they work with. This will enhance team working, work satisfaction, enable a healthy work/life balance AND will reduce staff turnover and excess costs!
We are in a great position to offer this specialist training package for schools / charities / care homes linked to:
- How to engage with young people / adults with sensory processing difficulties to meet their full potential and their independent goals,
-Identifying patterns of behaviour, and provision of suitable intervention to support that person,
-Building confidence and upskilling staff to complete individualised and group programmes,
Structure of the programme
The training includes a mix of virtual and face to face training which will keep your costs down whilst also embedding what has been learnt with staff.
There will be provision of lots of resources and hands on time with equipment.
We can bespoke your training by adding on extra sessions as required.
Feedback from Workshop / Training Sessions to schools
"Learnt lots of new information"
"Jenny was very clear, knowledgeable, and charismatic"
"Great content and presentation, particularly the sensory spider"
"I've gained a better understanding of our internal senses"
'Cocoon and Evolve' Specialist Training Series
Cocoon & Evolve
Cocoon & Evolve...At Work!
Cocoon & Evolve...At Work!
Highly specialist training for schools, charities, care homes, children's homes and anyone working with a neurodivergence population.
Cocoon & Evolve...At Work!
Cocoon & Evolve...At Work!
Cocoon & Evolve...At Work!
For small, medium and large businesses who are wanting to meet the needs of their employees to ensure a positive, peaceful and productive workplace.
Welcome to our NEW Multi Sensory Room
Welcome to our special corner of the studio, our multi sensory room (MSI).
WELCOME TO ALL!!
Available for bookable sensory sessions, to hire for small groups/ parties and we will be running sensory groups for all ages, parent support groups and specialist SEN sessions.
We have lots of sensory toys and bigger equipment such as the fibre optics, swing and bubble tube!
Some benefits of MSI rooms
-Develops and improves visual, auditory, tactile sensory processing.
-Develops fine and gross motor skills.
-Brings a sense of calm and comfort.
-Increases attention and interaction skills.
Butterflies News
January 2024
June - December 2023
June - December 2023
We have been catching up on our reports for families and the local authorities as well as providing training to mainstream nurseries, specialist SEN schools and taking on some more 1:1s.
We also have one more team member, called Emma (more information about Emma coming up soon).
Our SALT is also available for sessions 1 day a week so if you are interested please contact the team for more information.
June - December 2023
June - December 2023
June - December 2023
These past few months have flown by...
We have two new occupational therapy team members (Sara and Claire) working in schools and 1:1 with young people.
We have some new fun pieces of equipment.
I (Jenny) have supervised 3 students from Leeds Beckett University.
I (Jenny) have been developing our approach working with pre-5 children to develop their sensory processing, praxis, social communication and interaction skills.
We have a Speech and Language therapist working with us.
Feeling very grateful and ready for 2024!
May 2023
June - December 2023
April 2023
Butterflies Occupational Therapy is lucky enough to have some fantastic MSc students (Emma and Amy) completing their role emerging placement with us which is super exciting!
April 2023
November 2022
April 2023
Butterflies Occupational Therapy continues to grow with some more school contracts, work with the local authority and lots of self funded clients.
This young man finished the S.O.S Programme!!!! (please see the feeding page for more information)
December 2022
November 2022
November 2022
Busy month with new clients starting, 3x assessments and some organisational training.
Roll on time to energise and plan for 2023. It's going to be a big one!
November 2022
November 2022
November 2022
Busy month which consisted of both parent and learning mentor training around sensory processing, sensory regulation, environmental adaptation and how to access the curriculum. If you're interested get in contact for more information.
Jenny completed L2 Makaton and Handwriting without Tears Training.
Lots of 1:1 intervention and some new clients have started which is great. We are now running at capacity and there is a waiting list for 1:1 intervention.
October 2022
February 2022 Moving into new studio space
August 2022 New Equipment has arrived
We have been non-stop busy since the Autumn term started. We have one assessment slot left for this year!
Lots of getting used to the new studio and working it to its best ability with the young people l work with.
Lots of parent and school education happening at the moment - if you're interested please do get in contact.
Jenny has also completed L1 Makaton Training which is very exciting and great for the people l work with.
August 2022 New Equipment has arrived
February 2022 Moving into new studio space
August 2022 New Equipment has arrived
So happy to say that our space is now fully set up as intended!! We have lots on the agenda for new groups, training and beyond!
February 2022 Moving into new studio space
February 2022 Moving into new studio space
January 2022 Being part of the Therapy Day at a specialist school in Leeds
We have moved to a larger studio space (still in North Leeds). We have a reception room, separate assessment room, large therapy studio and kitchen. We also have full ASI equipment coming very soon including a custom swing frame and ball pool!!
January 2022 Being part of the Therapy Day at a specialist school in Leeds
January 2022 Being part of the Therapy Day at a specialist school in Leeds
January 2022 Being part of the Therapy Day at a specialist school in Leeds
Great day being part of the very first therapy day at Springwell Academy Leeds. Myself and other therapy disciplines showcased what we are about, the work we have been doing within school, and offered outreach opportunities to the families and main caregivers of the pupils - loved it! It is so positive to see therapeutic interventions and the education system coming together and building strong ties to support pupils and main caregivers in a holistic way to meet their goals and potential!
November 2021 Certified Advanced Sensory Practitioner status
January 2022 Being part of the Therapy Day at a specialist school in Leeds
November 2021 Training of school staff in a specialist school in Sheffield
Thrilled to see my name on the sensory integration network news board, due to gaining my advanced practitioner status. I would never have thought this would be achieved with a young family and various commitments. Very proud, and it goes to show that hard work pays off!
November 2021 Training of school staff in a specialist school in Sheffield
January 2022 Being part of the Therapy Day at a specialist school in Leeds
November 2021 Training of school staff in a specialist school in Sheffield
Butterflies Occupational Therapy was asked to present a workshop around what is occupational therapy?, sensory processing and sensory regulation. This was a workshop with lots of discussion and action planning to start implementing changes to the classroom environment and daily routine and structure to enable pupils to access the curriculum and meet their full potential.
Butterflies In Schools
Sensory Exploration Sessions
Praxis difficulties, emotional regulation and mental health
Sensory Processing Difficulties Assessment
These sessions work well in school in which it is difficult to engage the pupils due to their difficulties.
This approach is blended with environment assessment, classroom observation and standardised assessment tools.
Sensory Processing Difficulties Assessment
Praxis difficulties, emotional regulation and mental health
Sensory Processing Difficulties Assessment
Sensory Processing Difficulties assessment is completed with the children who can engage with a more formal assessment structure.
Praxis difficulties, emotional regulation and mental health
Praxis difficulties, emotional regulation and mental health
Praxis difficulties, emotional regulation and mental health
Current research is suggesting that praxis challenges can have a detrimental affect on behaviour. If demands are too high for a student their arousal levels will increase and their behaviour can decrease. This can impact on their ability to access education, self esteem and mental health. We provide specialist input and training to schools and staff to support students with this.
School Testimonial
'Initially I did not think that movement breaks / sensory circuits would work. I was fearful that my already dysregulated class would become even more turbulent, however I was willing to give them a try and I am very glad that I did. I started by implementing a sensory circuit as part of my morning routine. I wanted students to feel calm enough to sit and eat during Nurture Breakfast.
I then began to implement movement breaks straight after social times, as the class was quite heightened when returning from break and lunch.The change in the students both collectively and individually once completing a sensory circuit or movement break was quite significant. My students became much calmer and appeared to be more relaxed and focused. As a result of this the classroom environment became quieter which in turn allowed me to engage each student in a task suited to them without disruption. It has not been easy implementing this routine and I have had bumps along the way and I am still exploring different activities and circuits.
On reflection I have learnt that it is important to change up the sensory circuits and the activities which are given during the movement breaks.I would definitely recommend building movement breaks / sensory circuits into your daily routine. They have had a positive impact on my group. It is important not to give up with these routines and keep on trying them as they can change the entire classroom dynamic'.
Rachel C (School Teacher).
Butterflies in pictures
