LB-OT Private Occupational Therapy

05/04/2026

I hope everyone has a lovely Easter break.
I will be quiet for a while whilst we have our family break. 🐰🥚

30/03/2026

Stop guessing and start solving. Get expert Occupational Therapy advice at LB-OT.
Call for a Free Consultation at
📞 07442 345050
Your solution is just a phone call away.

29/03/2026

🏎️ Is Your "Engine" Running Too Fast?

Ever feel like your brain is racing at 100mph while you’re just trying to sit at a desk? Or maybe your "battery" feels totally drained, even after a full night's sleep?

In the OT world, we look at Sensory Processing as the fuel and maintenance that keeps your internal engine running smoothly. 🛠️✨

🏁 Beyond the "Sensory Diet"
People often hear "Sensory Diet" and think of restrictive rules or actual food. But it’s actually about The Right Input at the Right Time. Think of it like a pit stop for a race car. You wouldn't put diesel in a petrol engine, right? Similarly, your nervous system needs specific "tools" to shift gears from Overdrive (anxiety/overstimulation) or Idling (lethargy/brain fog) into the High-Performance Zone.

🔧 3 Ways to Tune Your Engine Today:
If your dashboard lights are flashing "Overload," try these quick shifts:
💠 The Grounding Gear (Proprioception): Give your joints some "input." Try a wall sit, carry a heavy laundry basket, or give yourself a firm squeeze. It’s like putting high-traction tires on a slippery road. 🚜
💠 The Steady Cruise (Vestibular): Slow, linear movement (like rocking or a long walk) helps stabilize your internal "GPS." It tells your brain, "We are safe, and we are moving at a steady pace." 🚶‍♀️
💠 The Filter Check (Sensory Environment): If the "engine noise" of the world is too much, change the filter. Dim the screen brightness, use a weighted lap pad, or grab some fidget tools to channel that extra energy. 🎚️

🌟 The Goal: Self-Ownership
Occupational Therapy isn't about "fixing" how you work; it’s about giving you the manual to your own unique engine. When we understand our sensory needs, we stop fighting our bodies and start working with them.

What’s one "maintenance tool" you use to keep your engine from overheating?
Let’s swap "garage secrets" in the comments! 👇

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28/03/2026

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27/03/2026

Morning visits like these remind me that "small" progress is actually huge. ✨

​Today’s focus: Mobility and daily living skills. For someone recovering from a stroke, making a cup of tea or walking to the front door independently is a marathon. It takes courage, repetition, and a lot of grit.
​So proud of the lady I’m supporting today, her determination to get back to her routine is inspiring. One step (and one skill) at a time. 💪
​
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26/03/2026

Sensory Profiles, MDTs, and the Magic of Small Wins.
If you walked into my office today, you’d probably see a colorful explosion of weighted blankets, chewy fidgets, and a very large stack of sensory profiling reports. As we approach the end of the term, the pace at a school for students with ADHD and Autism doesn't just "pick up", it accelerates into a beautiful, chaotic whirlwind.

Today was one of those days that felt like a marathon, but the kind where you’re actually energised at the finish line. Here’s a peek behind the curtain of what a busy day in Occupational Therapy (OT) looks like.

I spent the better part of my morning finalising Sensory Profiling Reports for our end-of-term reviews. In our world, these aren't just checkboxes; they are the "instruction manuals" for how our students experience the world.
When a student has a meltdown, it’s rarely just "bad behavior." Often, it’s because the fluorescent lights are humming at a frequency that feels like a physical blow, or the transition from the noisy lunchroom to the quiet classroom is too jarring for their nervous system. Mapping out these sensitivities helps us create environments where they can actually thrive, rather than just survive.

Looking Ahead: New Referrals
Between reports, I pivoted to reviewing new referrals. This is always a bittersweet part of the job. It’s a reminder of how many families are seeking support, but it’s also the start of a new puzzle.
Reading through a child's history, I’m looking for the "why" behind the "what."

✨ Why is this student struggling with handwriting? Is it fine motor delay or a postural stability issue?
✨ Why are they constantly moving? Are they seeking vestibular input to help them focus?

Getting these first steps right is crucial for setting them up for success the moment they walk through our doors.

The highlight of the day was attending the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting. This is where the magic happens. Sitting around a table (and a few laptop screens) with the teachers, we discussed the implementation of OT plans for our current cohort.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about the moment a teacher says, "We tried that sensory break you suggested, and he was able to sit through the entire math lesson for the first time." It’s a reminder that we aren't working in silos. We are building a scaffolding of support around these kids.

It’s been a long day. My brain is a bit fried from analyzing data, and my coffee went cold three hours ago. But as I pack up my bag, I’m thinking about the student who finally found a "calm-down" strategy that works for them, and the new student we’re about to help.
In a school like this, progress isn't always measured in high test scores, it’s measured in self-regulation, confidence, and comfort. And that makes every busy minute worth it.
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25/03/2026

How Leeanne and Gaynor are Redefining the School Day 🍎✨

I have been working in partnership with Occupational Therapist - Gaynor Spencer
we believe that every student deserves a learning environment that "clicks." Standard classrooms don’t always work for everyone, and that’s where our OTs, Leeanne and Gaynor come in!
Today, we’ve been hitting the ground running across Manchester, partnering with alternative schools First Steps Together Group to bridge the gap between traditional education and sensory-friendly success. Here’s a look at the incredible work they’ve been doing:

🧠 Deep Dives into Sensory Profiling
Gaynor and Leeanne aren't just visiting classrooms; they’re decoding them. Through Sensory Profiling, they help staff understand why a student might be struggling to focus or why certain behaviours occur. By identifying whether a student is sensory-seeking or sensory-avoidant, they provide the "user manual" for that child’s unique nervous system.

🧘 Creating Calming Spaces: Sensory Rooms
A sensory room is more than just beanbags and lava lamps, it’s a therapeutic tool. Our duo has been busy designing and implementing bespoke sensory rooms that offer:
💪 Regulated environments for students feeling overwhelmed.
💪 Targeted stimulation to help "wake up" the brain for learning.
💪 Safe spaces that reduce anxiety and promote emotional well-being.

🛠️ Advocacy: Business Cases for Vocational Lessons
We know that for many students in alternative provision, "learning by doing" is where they shine. Gaynor and Leeanne have been working closely with school leadership to build robust business cases for vocational lessons.

By highlighting the functional and therapeutic benefits of woodwork, mechanics, gardening, or hospitality, they are helping schools secure the funding and resources needed to teach vital life skills. It’s about preparing students for the real world, not just a desk.
"Watching a student transition from a state of high anxiety to being fully engaged in a vocational task is why we do what we do. It’s about finding the right 'in' for every learner."
Gaynor & Leeanne

Why This Matters
Manchester’s alternative schools do an incredible job, and we are so proud to support them. By integrating Occupational Therapy into the very fabric of the school day, we aren't just managing "behaviour", we are unlocking potential.
Is your school or setting looking to enhance its sensory provision? We’d love to help you build a more inclusive environment.
Get in touch for a free consultation
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23/03/2026

Why Bespoke Neuro Splinting is the Gold Standard for Hand Function.

In the world of Occupational Therapy (OT), we often talk about "meaningful occupation", the activities that give life purpose. But for many of my clients living with neurological conditions, those meaningful tasks are sidelined by a hand that won't cooperate. Whether it’s due to a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Multiple Sclerosis, neurological impairment often leads to spasticity, contractures, or muscle weakness.
This is where my specialisation in bespoke neuro splinting comes in. It’s not just about plastic and Velcro; it’s about high-stakes geometry and neuroplasticity.
The Problem with "Off-the-Shelf"
Many people think a brace is a brace. However, neurological hands are dynamic, they change based on stress, position, and effort.
A generic, "one-size-fits-all" splint often:
👍 Fails to address specific tone: It might be too weak to hold a high-tone wrist, causing the skin to rub.
👍 Promotes "learned non-use": If it’s uncomfortable, the patient won't wear it, and the brain forgets how to use that limb.
👍 Causes secondary injury: Improper alignment can lead to joint subluxation or skin breakdown.

When I create a custom neuro splint, I am acting as both a clinician and a craftsman. The process is highly individualised, focusing on three core pillars:
1. Managing Spasticity and Tone
Neurological injury often causes the "flexor synergy", the hand wants to curl into a tight fist. A bespoke splint provides prolonged low-load stretching. By maintaining the muscle at a specific length, we can actually inhibit the overactive stretch reflex, reducing pain and preventing permanent shortening of the tissue.
2. Functional Positioning
A splint shouldn't just be a "resting" device. Many of the bespoke orthotics I design are functional splints. They might stabilise the thumb in "opposition" so a client can finally grasp a cup, or support the wrist so the fingers can better utilise their remaining strength.
3. Protecting Joint Integrity
When muscles are imbalanced, joints are at risk. Custom molding allows me to distribute pressure evenly across the palm and forearm, ensuring the delicate arches of the hand are supported rather than flattened.

The hand is the brain’s primary tool for interacting with the world. By providing the correct support through a bespoke splint, we send clearer sensory feedback to the brain. This "calming" of the nervous system often opens a window of opportunity for therapy, making it easier to engage in the repetitive, task-specific training required to rewire neural pathways.

My OT Perspective: A splint is never the end goal; it is the facilitator. It’s the bridge between a hand that is stuck and a hand that can participate.

Are you curious about how a custom splint might fit into your specific rehab journey?
Get in touch for a free consultation 📞 07442 345050
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22/03/2026

Occupational Therapy is all about the "How." If a task feels impossible, we don’t give up, we just change the game.

Check out these clever ways to make daily life smoother and safer!
​✨ The Bathroom Refresh 🚿
​Soap-on-a-String: Say goodbye to the "slippery soap" struggle! Pop a bar into a mesh bag or even a clean pair of stockings tied to your grab bar. No drops, no bending, no stress.

​Reach More, Strain Less: Long-handled sponges aren't just for backs, they are the ultimate tool for washing feet without the risk of a slip.

​The Tube Key: Don't let a toothpaste tube win. A simple sliding clip or winding key turns a painful squeeze into a breeze for tired hands.

​✨ Around the House & Tech 🏠
​Steady Dining: If tremors make meals a mission, weighted utensils are a secret weapon. The added weight helps "hush" the shakes so you can focus on your food.

​Voice Power: Smart homes aren't just for gadgets! Using voice commands for lights and heat saves your energy for the things that actually matter.

​The Universal Cuff: Grip issues? No problem. This "magic strap" lets you hold pens or brushes without needing any finger strength at all.

​The OT Rule: If it doesn't work for you, change the tool, not the goal! 🌟

Question: Which of these "hacks" would make your morning routine easier?
Let us know in the comments! 👇
​
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20/03/2026

🌟 What a Week! A Glimpse into the Life of an OT 🌟
As the weekend approaches, I’m reflecting on a truly rewarding (and busy!) week.
Being an Occupational Therapy practitioner means wearing many hats, and this week was no exception!
Here is what my week looked like:
✨Monday & Friday Home-Based Stroke Support & Neuro Rehab 🏠🧠
Started and ended the week exactly where the magic happens, at home with my clients. I’ve been working closely with individuals on their stroke recovery journeys, focusing on neuro-rehab, regaining daily living skills, and building the confidence to stay independent at home. There is nothing quite like seeing progress in a client's own environment!
✨Tuesday & Wednesday School-Based Support 🏫🎒
Mid-week was all about the kiddos! I spent two days in school supporting students with various needs. We focused on sensory integration, fine motor skills, and identifying the right classroom equipment to help every child thrive and reach their full potential.
✨ Thursday Community & Home Visits 🚗✨
Another day on the road, providing home-based assessments and interventions. Whether it’s falls prevention or adjusting a rehab plan, every visit is a step toward a better quality of life for my clients.

Between the clinical sessions, I’ve been busy behind the scenes managing new referrals, writing up reports, and getting quotes ready for essential equipment. It’s a lot of juggling, but seeing my clients smash their goals makes it all worth it!

Now, it’s time to recharge. How was your week? I’d love to hear your highlights in the comments! 👇

If you or a loved one needs support with stroke recovery, neuro-rehab, or school-based OT, please feel free to reach out via DM!
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18/03/2026

🧩 Progress & Partnerships: A day in the Life at Leeanne’s OT
It’s been an inspiring day of collaboration! I’ve had the pleasure of supporting the wonderful parents at First Steps Together Group, focusing on how we can use sensory insights to make daily life a little smoother for their little ones.
Here’s a peek into what I’ve been up to lately:
💪 Sensory Profiling: Working closely with families to decode their children’s unique sensory needs. Knowledge is power, and understanding these profiles is the first step to thriving!
💪 Creating Calm in Classrooms: I’ve been chatting with teachers about optimising sensory rooms and the magic of rocking chairs to help students find their "just right" state for learning.

Whether it’s a big equipment change or a simple visual schedule, seeing these shifts empower a child is the best part of my job.

✨ Leeanne’s Quick Thought:
Regulation isn't just about "sitting still", it's about feeling safe and predictable in your environment.

When we get the sensory environment right, the rest often follows!


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17/03/2026