Occupational Therapy strategies & access to education
Specialist Handwriting Support
Holistic approach to facilitate improvement which is as individual as the child
01Occupational Therapy
I provide meaningful and purposeful intervention in the functional contexts of school and home.
Services include:
EOTAS package support
School Readiness
Classroom observations
Handwriting legibility
Strategies for supporting keeping on task and behaviour
Tools and techniques for emotional regulation
Building with adult team around the child
Regular face to face therapy sessions - fortnightly / monthly / half termly or once a term
Weekly Zoom® Boosts for momentum and continuity
Session at home or at school: For appointments
Monday to Friday
09h00 to 15h00 depending on location
School holidays by prior arrangement only
02Supporting Schools
I support schools in several ways including:
1 to 1 therapy sessions at school / home / Zoom®or or a combination
Set-up and supporting sensory diets
Teaching of whole class strategies
SENCO consultancy
Engagement in multi disciplinary team meetings
Documentation support for EHCPs and learning support plans
Staff mentoring and supervision session
Staff inset sessions / training days
Workshops for parents / grandparents / carers
In class working with teachers and support staff
Handwriting clinic for support staff in your school
Pre-school writing preparation activities
Delivery of handwriting / motor / sensory and life skills programmes for small groups
Skill transfer for staff's professional development to support the sustainability of OT programmes
Services
Solutions tailored to support a child's needs
Handwriting Assessment
Standardised assessments based on UK norms. Full Report with photographs regarding assessment results, summary of advice given in session and full intervention plan.
Unique programme to establish healthy writing habits tailored to your child's needs. Aims to build confidence and power to monitor own handwriting progress.
Michelle is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience across a broad range of disciplines. In today's society, computers dominate children's lives resulting in less time being spent learning how to write. Michelle continues to work in person within the Surrey and London area, or via Zoom helping schools develop their lesson plans, classroom activities and coaching teaching staff.
“We were very impressed with Michelle’s professional, organised and thorough approach in assessing our son’s writing difficulties. Her gentle nature and engaging approach helped to gain our son’s attention immediately. Afterwards, Michelle took extra time to discuss her findings and helpful recommendations. This was quickly followed up by a detailed report that we could send to our son’s school to assist us in getting the additional support he needed. Time and money well spent ”
Parent, Guildford
“W's teacher was astounded by the amount of writing and neatness. She told the school at assembly he is now writing like an 8 year old. The work is going to be displayed on the head teacher's "wow" board with an example of his writing at the start of Year 3. He had to show the head teacher who gave him a Head Teacher's Award - we are so proud. Interestingly, he did this writing after he had been playing football for 45 minutes. I was in tears at the assembly as you can imagine.”
Parent, Effingham
“I attach a picture of N English Test work. How AMAZING is her writing! We are delighted. Thank you!!!"
Parent, St Catherine's, Bramely
“Just had to share O's practicing of e and r on the garage wall today. I can see his progress and I'm so grateful we connected with you and he can have so much fun learning letters."
Parent, West Horsley
My
tips
Advice, recommendations, information
by Michelle van Rooyen•02 Feb, 2021
21 things every parent needs to know about cursive handwriting
Often it is the simple things in life which can make a significant difference. This is one of the many products available. It's benefits include: Reduced shoulder stress when writing and colouring - developing shoulder girdle and wrist stability. Stimulates visual processing and learning Reading is on the same angle, so supports ease of scanning for tasks requiring visual tracking. Easier to copy off of the board as less eye shift to different visual planes. Increases arm reach access to entire page. Promotes fine motor skills by encouraging comfortable wrist extension which provides further grip efficiency of the writing tool. Facilitates dynamic tripod grip for legible and fluent handwriting.
Holistic approach to facilitate the development and improvement of handwriting which is as individual as the child.........
SERVICES
Assessments Tutoring Reviews Educational access Inset training