Being a child or a young person isn't always easy. They are constantly having to learn new skills such as looking after themselves independently, learning new subjects in school, and navigating the world of social interaction; all of which can bring their own challenges.
We hope you will find something to help you and your pupil on their journey to adulthood within these pages.
Occupational Therapy Programmes for Schools
The following activities have been recommended as they allow individuals to practice the essential fine motor skills required to carry out day-to-day functional tasks, both at home and in school.
The Theraputty Programme is an occupational therapy intervention for children who have difficulties with fine motor skills or limited hand strength. The following are some examples of important functional tasks that the children may have difficulties with:
Theraputty is a strong, non-toxic, latex free putty-like material that leaves no residue and won’t fragment, separate stain or stick to skin. There are a range of strengths which come in different colours, each having a different degree of resistance when handled. The putty can be stretched, pinched, kneaded, squeezed and separated.Please note that you need to use the theraputty on a clean smooth surface, preferably a table. When the theraputty is excessively stretched it can break down into fine strands, therefore care should be taken with these as they ‘stick’ to carpets and clothing.
In-hand manipulation is the term used to describe the ability to move a small object around within a single hand. It is an essential component of the development of fine motor control. Good fine motor control enables you to carry out such tasks as holding pencils, fastening small buttons, using cutlery and being able to tie your shoelaces.
The In-Hand Manipulation Programme is a good way of helping in-hand manipulation to develop. The programme contains exercises which should be carried out by both hands in turn, but always start with the dominant or preferred (writing) hand. These skills develop in a particular order and the exercises suggested are listed in sequence.
It is recommended that this programme be carried out a minimum of 3 times a week in 10 minute slots for a 3 week period.
The FIZZY and Clever Hands programme has been developed by therapists in Kent Community NHS Trust.
The FIZZY and Clever Hands Programmes are recommended by occupational therapy as programmes for schools to use to assist in the development of motor skills for those children who find this challenging. 
FIZZY works on three specific areas;
Clever Hands works on developing fine motor skills required for participation in every day school activities.
Developing scissor skills is an important milestone in a child’s life. By learning to use scissors they practice using a tripod grasp (using thumb, index and middle finger together) which then develops into the ideal grasp for writing. It is important that the child uses the appropriate scissors for their dominant hand (left or right handed scissors).
Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) is the national approach in Scotland to improving outcomes and supporting the wellbeing of our children and young people by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work in partnership with the services that can help them.
The Scottish Government states that the key elements of the GIRFEC approach are:
The Children and Young People's Commissioner is a person. Their job is to help you understand your rights and to make sure those rights are respected. Their goal is for children and young people in Scotland to be as safe and happy as possible.
For more downloadable resources from Occupational Therapy with regards to Getting to and around Nursery/School, Organising Yourself, Participating in and Recording your Work and Paying Attention
