Occupational Therapy Services
“Occupational Therapy is where science, creativity and compassion collide”
~ Jessica Kensky
Originally from Ireland, I have enjoyed working as an OT across both clinical and educational settings within Ireland and the UK I pride myself on my ability to connect with clients of all ages and create a trusting environment in which their goals can be achieved. I am passionate about embedding occupational therapy into the school-setting to help all students reach their personal and academic potential.
One of the most effective therapy tools which features heavily in my practice is open communication with the team around the child. I believe this to be an integral part of the therapeutic process, promoting high-quality, meaningful outcomes for the child
I am delighted to be joining the JESS team and look forward to making a difference!
Ms Laura Clifford Occupational Therapist lclifford@jess.sch.ae
OT Services
Standard & Supplementary OT Service
The Standard OT service is available for all children and is included as a part of school fees This will comprise of in-classroom support for teachers and students as well as well as preventative and promotive developmental strategies for families. The Supplementary (paid) service is available for specific children and will either consist of weekly small group OT or weekly one-to-one OT.
Free Screening Service
Free of charge, informal school screenings are offered at JESS, if you or your child’s teacher feels that OT may be beneficial. This would consist of the OT being another set of eyes in the classroom and observing your child for 10-15minutes during a task and/or conducting some short, informal screening activities. This aims to give an initial insight into whether further OT evaluation is recommended or if another specialist would be better suited to evaluate the initial concerns for your child
School-based assessment
If a more detailed initial OT assessment is recommended for your child, this would likely take place over 2x 45minute OT sessions OT assessments involve standardised evaluations which measure your child’s Motor, Sensory, Visual perceptual and Social and Play skills based on their age. These allow the OT to measure both your child’s strengths and areas for development in order to formulate specific therapy goals Where indicated, the Sensory Integration-based diagnostic assessment is a lot more comprehensive and requires 6x 45minute sessions to administer, score and analyse
“Therapy without effective assessment is like taking to the road without a map”
Following the assessment, you will receive a summary outline of your child’s areas of strength and those for development as well as recommendations for both home and in the classroom. It is recommended that children receiving OT are re-evaluated as part of ongoing therapy in order to streamline their OT goals as they develop.
“Team Around the Child” Approach
The Occupational Therapy program forms part of the Oasis department at the school OT goals and strategies are informed by the school’s team around the child, by the parent as well as by the children themselves OT goals are updated termly and progress meetings are available in line with the parent-teacher meeting schedules, or as your child completes a ‘block’ of therapy.
Regular session feedback is shared with both you as a parent as well as with the child’s teachers and any staff that support your child Following your child’s OT session, a Seesaw update will be sent to the team around your child, as a window into the tools and strategies that worked well within the session.
These updates will give an insight into what can be followed up at home as well as what support strategies can be carried out in the classroom
“Collaborative communication and carryover of therapy goals into the home and classroom setting is invaluable to each child’s progress”
