Cloud_OT

Today’s independent practice adventure has brought me to Harley Street in London. It involved filming and talking about my work. It was completely out of my comfort zone, the film crew will need to do a lot of editing, but I’m glad I stepped into the unknown. Once it’s released I’ll be able to share more. 🎥

These workshops post an autism diagnosis look fantastic.

Have you been left without any support from the NHS following your child's autism diagnosis? 🤔

At Caudwell Children, we offer charity-funded 'Next Steps' workshops available to families of children that have an autism diagnosis (between the ages of 4 - 11) no matter which external service provided the diagnosis. 💜

Designed to share a wealth of information with parents, our Next Steps workshops are hosted by our experienced Workshops Team and explore a range of topics and activities, equipping families with the knowledge and strategies needed to support them in their next steps after receiving an autism diagnosis. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Visit our website to apply for our Next Steps workshop. Eligibility criteria applies 👉 bit.ly/4esiZxH

Great first OT networking event! The first of many. So good spending time with fellow OTs.

📢 Exciting Update! 📢 I’m going back to school!

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been commissioned to provide OT EHCP services in schools and for individuals with EOTAS.

I still have availability on Monday mornings and Tuesdays! 🎒✨

📍 If you’re in Rutland or nearby counties and looking for a neurodiversity-affirming OT with over 16 years’ experience working with neurodivergent individuals, please get in touch. 📞📧

Let's work together to make this educational year amazing for your child!

A online university prep course. This would have been handy before I started uni.

Preparation For Uni Course Get ready for your university courses with our online event packed with tips, resources, and advice to help you succeed!

Just watched all of the available episodes of series 2 of The Piano. Did you hear the shout out to OT? Making an adaptation so the piano pedal can be played. Occupational therapy in its truest form, pure occupation. Love it. 🎶

☀️

🖐We would like to say a big hello and give a warm welcome to Cara, who is joining the amazing team of Associate Occupational Therapists at WTS!!

🖐Cara is an independent Occupational Therapist with over 15 years experience!

😊She has worked in the NHS, schools, community and residential settings, bringing a wealth of experience with her to work with children, young people and adults.

😊Cara has additional training in sensory processing and EMDR and can work with people across all ages to enable them to live life well.

🏫Cara has availability for new clients at Bodie's House on a Friday and can also offer online or community based sessions across the week

👉Find out more about Cara here https://www.wellbeingtherapysolutions.co.uk/cara

Mental Health Awareness Week Day 4: Love that I’m part of the WTS Team. 💚

It’s day 2 of MHAW 2024. Movement for mental health. Walking helps keep us fit and healthy, but did you know that going on a dog walk offers added benefits to our mental health.

1. Animals have long been recognised for their positive impact on mental health, from reducing blood pressure to providing unwavering companionship and unconditional love.
2. Walking with a dog presents an opportunity to embrace mindfulness, as our furry friends effortlessly guide us into the present moment, teaching us the art of being fully immersed in our surroundings.
3. Dogs will remind you how wonderful it is to process different sights, smells and sounds that the sensory-rich experience of being outdoors offers.
4. Regular dog walking nurtures a profound bond between humans and dogs, fostering mutual trust and companionship.
5. Additionally, the mental stimulation gained from exploring new environments during walks promotes the psychological wellbeing of our canine companions.
6. Caring for another living being not only enriches our lives but also cultivates a sense of responsibility and self-care which is very motivating.
7. Feel free to add your own benefits to this list, as the advantages of dog walking are manifold and personal to each individual.

Don’t have a furry friend of your own? That’s perfectly alright! You can still reap the benefits by borrowing one.
Offer to accompany a neighbour on their dog walk or volunteer at a local dog shelter. Websites like BorrowMyDoggy.com facilitate such arrangements, benefiting both parties involved. Borrowing a dog also serves as an introduction to potential future pet ownership, offering a glimpse into the joys and responsibilities of caring for a canine companion.


(Photo of our family dogs Mave and Jac posing for a photo with the sea as a backdrop, their leads on, eager to continue their walk.)

Although my sessions are child-led, lots of consideration goes into session planning to provide options for the child and opportunities to meet the session’s aim.
The information gathered from parents beforehand holds significant value in our assessment process. Providing a crucial framework for understanding the child’s current abilities and interests. This information gathering allowed me to integrate a jungle animal theme into our session, swiftly establishing rapport.
I structured the session with various activities: a game of “Monkey Tumble,” throw and catch, playdough and card making.
At work today I embarked on an imaginative journey with my client and model animals. My leopard morphed into a snow leopard after falling into a vanilla milkshake, only to return to its original form after a dip in the river (the paintbrush water). While we didn’t create a card or catch a ball, my client still showcased his painting, cutting, sticking, balancing and jumping skills, and without words or ‘evidence’ it was made clear to me which skills were trickier and not to be tried today. An adaptation to my plan, and yet the objectives of a motor skills assessment were met.
A standardised motor skills assessment, like the Movement ABC, wouldn’t have been accessible today. If you assessed me using a standardised motor assessment I wouldn’t fare very well either.
Neurodiversity-affirming practice prompts us to continually question if our methods truly meet the child’s needs and if alternative approaches exist. As demonstrated today, the child offers invaluable insights and solutions, being more child-led does wonders.

Specialised Occupational Therapy for neurodivergent youth and their support network, informed by 15+ years of professional experience, my lived experience, and listening to the neurodivergent community.

Cloud-OT looks beyond the behaviours, addressing underlying needs by adapting environments and promoting self-advocacy.

I offer tailored sessions, both in person, online and small group sessions fostering positive identity, understanding sensory differences, supporting motor skills and shifting from academic demands to emotional regulation.

I’m also available for wellbeing talks and workshops aiming to enhance understanding and support for the neurodivergent community.

The goal! Looking after ourselves and our kid’s wellbeing, participation in our occupations and activities, our self-esteem and confidence in our relationships.

A diagnosis is not required to access my service, all welcome, community together!

https://rcotss-ip.org.uk/profile/cara--graham---cloud-ot/

A reminder that resting is doing,

RESTING IS DOING

If only we could see the power in rest.
If only we could attach to it, the worth it so deserves.
If only we could open our minds to the idea, that everything in nature has its time to rise and its time to descend.
That each of these acts is just a important as the other.
And that is exactly as it must be.
If only we could see the courage it takes to lay aside the worries, the fears and the comparison, just for a few hours, to let the mind, spirit and body come together again.
Doing the one thing they all require so much… nothing.
If only we could see the power in rest.
Because resting is very much doing.

Donna Ashworth
From ‘life’
UK: https://amzn.eu/d/9Y6E6kz
US: https://a.co/d/4EvMqqA

Art by the utterly delightful Tarn Ellis (her prints and gifts are simply beautiful)

Cloud-OT Sensory Adventure: OT Networking Event

Join us for an extraordinary networking event tailored exclusively for Occupational Therapists, OTA'S and OT students.

Immerse yourself in a captivating two-hour sensory experience at SENSAS, the winner of the 2023 Traveller’s Choice Award.

You’ll navigate through multi-sensory challenges where you will gather tokens. Each token holds the power to make a difference as it's converted into a charitable donation supporting Disability Snowsport UK.

After the sensory challenges, unwind at the café with refreshments you can pre-order. With a beverage in hand, settle in for a one-hour presentation on the basic principles of how sensory stimuli can alert or calm you and how this is important for regulation.

Following the presentation, take the opportunity to record your CPD (Continuous Professional Development). Take your time to continue the vibrant conversations with your fellow OTs.

Depart from the event with your senses invigorated, your personal and professional growth recharged and a treasure trove of meaningful connections that promise to enrich and expand your OT community.

Cost: £44 (includes one month's access to the Cloud-OT online community)

Additional Cost: Food can be pre-ordered at an additional cost.

Payment: Payments made payable to Cloud-OT.

RSVP: Please message to rsvp and for more information.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to network, learn, and support a great cause. Spaces are limited to 15 people. Just 9 spaces left. We look forward to seeing you there!

Cloud_OT Trauma informed Occupational Therapy. Sensory profiles, interoception, EMDR and sensory ladders.

I'm back up and running now and so ready for face to face and visits. I've been carrying on virtually and have been working on a few things that I can't wait to share but are not quite ready yet. The body is amazing, my leg as good as new.

Help your mind-body awareness with this body scan script. Good for adults and kids.

Body Scan for Kids An 11-minute body scan for children to help bring calmness, attention, and appreciation to hectic daytime routines and marathon bedtime rituals.

I had a mishap on the weekend with a teapot resulting in a nasty scald to my leg.
The healthcare assistant did an amazing job of dressing my leg. I told her that I was pleased this happened to my left leg and that I have an automatic car so I can still drive the kids to school. I was the second person that day to have said this to her.
This just showing what OTs all about. How people are concerned with how they can manage their day to day life, and OTs work with this.
So in balancing my recovery and work I’ll still be getting on with admin tasks and online sessions. Unfortunately, I won’t be booking in any face to face visits until further notice, will keep you posted when I’m back to full capacity.

Sacred Soul Living, this is so beautifully said. 💙

West Ham's keeper Alphonse Ar**la wore noise-cancelling headphones to support the mascot that accompanied him for their match against Newcastle.

Class 👏❤️

As a child I found the difficulties dyspraxia had on my movements difficult, I used to avoid PE where I could. Actually a lack of love for movement has impacted me throughout my life. Only recently have I committed to moving everyday. A photo of me in the comments having a kick about to show steady progress. I still get bothered by the dyspraxia on my information processing, memory, and getting my words out. Just the other day a mum friend asked me if I was okay when I was clearly struggling just to keep a conversation going. I’m learning more and more not let this bother me with a little bit of acceptance and self compassion. It’s nice they’re checking in on me. Like with my dyslexia I have learnt ways to cope with neurodivergent me.

🎉🌟 Dyspraxia Awareness Week: Let's Bust the Myths! 🌟🎉

It's Dyspraxia Awareness Week, and we're here to break down misconceptions and myths surrounding dyspraxia. Let's spread awareness and understanding about this neurodivergent condition that affects many children's lives.

🌟 Myth: Dyspraxia is just clumsiness.
💡 Fact: Dyspraxia is a complex neurological disorder affecting coordination, planning, and learning.

🌟 Myth: Dyspraxia is rare.
💡 Fact: Dyspraxia is more common than believed, affecting up to 6% of the population.

🌟 Myth: Dyspraxia only affects motor skills.
💡 Fact: Dyspraxia also impacts speech, memory, organisation, and emotions.

🌟 Myth: Dyspraxia equals low intelligence.
💡 Fact: Dyspraxia has no correlation with intelligence.

🌟 Myth: Dyspraxia can be outgrown.
💡 Fact: Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition, but with proper support and strategies, individuals can learn to manage and thrive.

Let's celebrate their unique strengths and promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. 💜

This year’s World Mental Health message is
🌍 ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’.

Social inequalities erodes this right for many. People experience adverse childhood experiences, trauma, poverty, financial strain, social exclusion, discrimination, poor access to support services and too many others.
Tackling these root causes warrants urgent and committed public health effort.
The Mental Health Foundation report on Tackling Social Inequalities to Reduce Mental Health Problems describes having ‘a heart for inequalities.’ What lovely guidance, we can all have a heart for inequalities.
With a heart for inequalities and small acts of kindness we can make mental health a universal right.

Children’s book author Alexandra Penfold writes on Twitter: “This weekend I sorted through some papers my mom saved from my childhood. The top one is my 4th grade self evaluation. The bottom, my 4th grade state test score. Random House published my 6th book last week.” 💪

Imagine if she had listened to her test score instead...

Autism Understood - A website FOR AUTISTIC YOUNG PEOPLE launching at the start of July!

Book onto our launch event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-understood-website-launch-tickets-660968944907
The webinar is suitable for parents, professionals and young people themselves

When young people receive an autism diagnosis, they are usually not actually told what it is - which makes no sense to us!

So over the past year we have been working hard to create a website about autism, for autistic young people.

We have worked together with a lot of incredible people to create the content for this website which has been coproduced with a large number of autistic young people.

We are delivering this webinar to tell you more about the website, let you know how to make the best use of it and tell you about our future plans.

We hope to see you there!

This article popped up on Microsoft Start.
Articles like this is not helping with inclusion. Although awareness of autism and other neurological differences is increasing, articles like this show a real lack of understanding and acceptance.
1. The diagnosis of Asperger’s was removed in 2013. It’s now called autism. Those that were previously diagnosed Asperger’s will retain the diagnosis, and they may wish to continue identifying with this term. For these individuals that is up to them, but for professionals let’s try to keep up and use the correct terminology.
2. Warning signs! What? We’re not talking about a hazard here. Terms like red flags are not helpful. Let’s instead use accurate descriptions and positive, strengths based language where we can.
If anybody has any good resources for providing information to autistic individuals and their families, or training courses, it would be great if you could share them in the comments.

🌟🌟🌟

The power of music ❤️

One man has probably helped millions of people around the world yesterday who suffer from the same or similar condition

A hero the world didnt know it needed 👊

The world would be a better place if we were neuroaffirming. 🌎 💜

This is a collaborative project within the American Occupational Therapy Association Autism CoP.

Neuroaffirming Practice | Bryden Carlson-Giving & Katherine McGinley | TEDxAlmansorParkLive Neuroaffirming practice (also known as neurodiversity-affirming practice) has been gaining momentum in recent years in healthcare in terms of working with ne...

Let’s go!

Watch this Tedx talk about Co and self-regulation. As simple and as complicated as tuning in to feelings. Jacqui illustrates this so well with the seesaw effect and how she models positive adult response to child reactions.

The seesaw effect: building children’s resilience by emotional regulation | Jacqui Barfoot | TEDxUQ Are you ok? Despite being a common question, it can be difficult to answer. Expressing feelings is something most people struggle with, but learning to verb...

As it’s snowing today this was too cute not to share. A lovely reminder that even the little steps matter. ⛄️

How's your snowman coming along? ⛄

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