Bsc Hons First Class Occupational Therapy

Level 2 Certificate - Understanding Autism

National Autistic Society – Qualified Non-Medical Helper

Since becoming an occupational therapist I have worked in a variety of settings including special and mainstream schools, either employed directly by schools or as a team member in NHS Children’s Services. The main focus of my work has predominantly been autism and sensory processing, although I have experience of other neurodiverse conditions including ADHD and Tourette’s Syndrome.

I am passionate about authentic inclusion and working with children and families in the autism community to unpick individual sensory processing difficulties and how they translate into everyday life. This helps neurodivergent individuals to understand why they ‘need’ to do the things they do and empowers them to share this knowledge, which often leads to a greater level of understanding and empathy between family members. 

As an occupational therapist I consider all elements of a child/young person’s life and have previously worked with schools to adapt/create an environment which addresses sensory preferences in order to increase engagement and focus.

I am especially interested in the rise in numbers of teenage girls being diagnosed with autism and the debate around delayed diagnosis.

Being an occupational therapist enables me to focus on the needs and interests of children and young people and work with them to identify strategies to help them survive and thrive in everyday life. I enjoy the challenge of working with individuals whose needs are constantly changing and creatively adapting my sessions to meet this need.

When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family or engaging in creative pursuits such as glass crafts, drawing, painting and gardening. I love animals and have a Jack Russell who would rather eat sausages than dog food!