Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy at Haymerle School

Hi! I’m Caylee Dixon, the educational Occupational Therapist (OT) at Haymerle School. I work on Fridays in mainly a consultant role, supporting the whole school to create the best possible environment for your child to develop important everyday skills through fun, movement-based activities.

Occupational Therapy helps children develop the everyday skills they need to participate fully in school and life. This includes building independence with tasks like dressing, eating, toileting, writing, drawing, play, as well as supporting their ability to focus, stay calm, and follow routines. 

OT works on a wide range of skill areas such as:

  • Fine motor skills – e.g. pencil control, using scissors, manipulating small objects
  • Gross motor skills – e.g. balance, coordination, body awareness, strength
  • Sensory processing – helping children respond appropriately to sensory input so they can stay regulated and engaged
  • Visual perception – e.g. recognizing patterns, copying shapes, tracking, spatial awareness
  • Self-care and independence skills – building confidence with everyday routines and tasks such as dressing, toileting, eating, hand washing etc. 
  • Emotional regulation and attention – using movement and sensory strategies to help children feel ready to learn
  • Play skills- Supporting your child with the necessary tools and strategies so that they are able to take part in all forms of play by themselves and with others.

 

At Haymerle, I work closely with teachers and support staff to make sure every child has the right tools and strategies in place to thrive—especially those with additional sensory, motor, or independence needs.

We’ve recently set up an exciting new OT Room, filled with fantastic equipment designed especially for children with special needs. The space includes a swing, therapy balls, gross motor equipment, and a variety of sensory tools to help children explore movement, build coordination, and feel regulated in a safe and playful way.

Some examples of OT activities your child may take part in include:

  • Swinging or bouncing to help with calming and attention
  • Obstacle courses to improve strength, balance, and coordination
  • Messy play or fine motor games to support writing and hand use
  • Toileting and dressing routines to build independence
  • Sensory circuits to help children feel ready to learn

 As the only OT in school, I focus on providing advice, training, and tailored strategies for staff so that OT support is embedded into the daily routines and learning of every class.

 

If you have any questions about OT at Haymerle, please feel free to get in touch via the school office. 

*Please keep an eye out on this page as I will be adding resources on all the above-mentioned skills, for you to utilise at home too!

Let’s keep moving, exploring, and growing together!

 

Occupational Therapy Home Learning Pack

Please see below the OT home resource pack to use at home. This addresses a number of areas including:

  • Regulation and focus.
  • Dressing.
  • Cutlery use.
  • Toileting.
  • Play.
  • Parent wellness and hygiene related resources for children with ASD (e.g. handwashing, how to explain it etc.).

712 KB