Occupational therapy Leeds - Sensory Assessment and Therapy

Sensory integration therapy is designed to help children and young people develop their sensory processing abilities and to develop strategies to help them cope. The therapy is based on the idea that some people struggle to receive, process and make sense of information provided by the senses. For example, some children and young people are hyper-sensitive (over-sensitive) to some things such as loud noises but hypo-sensitive (under-sensitive) to other things such as pain. Children and young people can also have difficulties with their play, interactions, completing everyday activities due to difficulties with their sensory processing and praxis (ideation, planning and execution of a novel motor movement).  

We assess a child and/or young person's sensory difficulties and then develop a personalised treatment programme in which we use the most appropriate techniques and tools to overcome those difficulties. Sensory integration therapy can involve a combination of different elements such as wearing a weighted vest, using sensory integration swings, riding a scooter board, sitting on a bouncy ball, experiencing 'crash and bump' and other similar activities.

We all have different sensory needs. Sensory integration is about how our brain receives and processes sensory information so that we can do the things we need to do in our everyday life. It is a neurological process that occurs within all of us. Children, adolescents and adults with sensory dysfunction may have have the following difficulties which are having a negative impact on their everyday life, such as:

• playground activities such as hopping, jumping, running, and catching or kicking a      ball. They often avoid joining in because of their lack of co-ordination and may find physical education difficult 
• walking up and down stairs 
• writing, drawing and using scissors – their handwriting and drawings may appear      scribbled and less developed compared to other children their age 
• getting dressed, doing up buttons and tying shoelaces 
• keeping still – they may swing or move their arms and legs a lot.

As well as difficulties related to movement and co-ordination, children can also have other problems such as:

• difficulty concentrating – they may have a poor attention span and find it difficult to focus on 1 thing for more than a few minutes,
• difficulty following instructions and copying information – they may do better at      school in a 1-to-1 situation than in a group, so they can be guided through work, 
• being poor at organising themselves and getting things done,
• being slow to pick up new skills  – they need encouragement and repetition to help them learn, 
• difficulty making friends – they may avoid taking part in team games and may be      bullied for being "different" or clumsy, 
• behaviour problems – often stemming from a child's frustration with their symptoms,
• low self-esteem and anxiety,
• Impulsiveness with a short attention span,
• difficulties tolerating loud, busy environments,
• difficulties getting to sleep,
• difficulties with knowing when to go to the toilet.

A high percentage of children with autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, OCD and other developmental delays will have sensory difficulties, alongside other children who do not have a formal diagnosis.

Sensory integration therapy uses play activities in ways designed to change how the brain reacts to touch, sound, sight and movement.

We are able to assess your child using Ayres Sensory Integration approach using sensory assessment and can provide intervention within our dedicated therapy space in North Leeds.

Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) Therapy Studio

We are very excited to announce that we have had a recent update of equipment to continue to provide Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy.

What you need to know

We have a therapy studio based in North Leeds which is in a shared office building. We are based on the ground floor with 3 steps to access the main level.

We have kitchen facilities and there are shared toilets with the rest of the building. We also have 3 parking spaces behind our space and there is plenty of street parking on Devonshire Avenue which is a 2 minute walk from Devonshire House where we are based.

Before accessing this space you will be asked to complete a risk assessment and complete informed consent to using the equipment. You will not be allowed to start sessions without this being completed.

When arriving you will be asked to take your shoes off (if possible please wear socks) and leave your shoes in a safe space and there is a sofa for parents / main caregivers to sit. We want you to be part of this experience as there is ongoing psycho education to you so that you are also developing your skills and knowledge of this area.

Sensory ladder / diet  and emotional regulation Intervention

We use our space to support our clients to build awareness and understanding of what is happening inside their bodies, what emotions this may link to and what actions to take to self regulate.  These are created as part of the ASI intervention or can be a separate piece of work which takes place over 6 weeks (dependent on the person).

Other Important Information

All sessions are 45 minutes face to face with a break in the middle for regulation (if needed) so please bring a snack and a drink. There will be time to review and ask questions.

After each session the room is cleaned with anti bacterial spray before the next client comes in.

We also complete a deep clean of the room routinely.

There may be traces of nuts within the studio and within the building - Please make sure we are informed if you or your child have a nut allergy.