Magenta Occupational Therapy - Children & Young adults

13/04/2025

“It feels like knives around my neck.”

That’s what one young boy told me when I was asked to see him. He had been excluded; not for aggressive behaviour, not for being disruptive, but because he refused to wear a school tie.

What he was experiencing was tactile defensiveness; a heightened sensitivity to touch that made the sensation of the tie unbearable.

What school staff saw was defiance.
What they expected was conformity.
But what he actually needed was understanding,
support and treatment.

It always makes me reflect- how many of us could concentrate, sit still, or learn if we were in discomfort or pain?

Tactile defensiveness is commonly seen in children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). This means their nervous system processes sensory input differently; everyday sensations like clothing, textures, or even light touch can feel overwhelming or distressing.

At Children’s Sensory Therapy Ltd, our Occupational Therapists use Ayres Sensory Integration therapy to help children with SPD. By working with their sensory systems, we can reduce defensiveness, improve regulation, and make everyday life feel safer and more manageable.

But this also leads me to ask…

Why do we expect children to wear traditional ties and blazers to school?
There is no research to suggest that it improves learning.
What neuroscience does tell us is that children learn best when they are regulated- and for many children with sensory differences, school uniforms can cause significant discomfort and distress.

In some cases, it’s more than discomfort- it’s pain. And for some, that pain is so intense, it can lead to school avoidance altogether.

Yes, Occupational Therapists can support children to better manage these challenges.
But wouldn’t it also be worth asking why we’re still holding on to these uniform traditions?
The blazer and tie have become almost exclusive to the school environment—it’s rare to see them worn elsewhere in daily life.

Maybe it’s time we listened a little more to what our children are telling us.

Let’s keep looking beneath the behaviour- often, it’s a child’s way of saying: “I’m struggling.”

02/04/2025

Celebrating World Autism day ❤️

23/03/2025

21/03/2025

As part of National Neurodiversity Week, I took time out to watch some good webinars. Particularly enjoyed one about the role of HR supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. As OTs we have a whole range of workplace assessments to help guide and support workplace adjustments, so really enjoyed the HR angle.

13/03/2025

Kids to Adults exhibition. Lots of networking and useful suppliers and the grandchildren enjoyed the play area

12/03/2025

Do you know an 8-13 year old who needs some support and ideas to get calmer, more confident, more motivated and better able to cope with some tricky life situations? "When Life Sucks for Kids: Ideas and tips for when you feel mad, worried or sad - or life gets kind of messy" - is a fun book with cartoons, ideas, and help for kids to feel calm, confident and cooperative. https://developingminds.net.au/when-life-sucks-for-kids

03/03/2025

Check out the British Dyslexia Association who have some great booklets to download to mark Dyscalculia Day today. Useful information for parents, children and young people.
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/news/dyscalculia-day-3rd-march

01/03/2025

So very touched today to receive beautiful flowers and gifts from one of my student OTs who I supervised last year. A lovely surprise ❤️

28/02/2025

Having worked years as an OT in Esting Disorder services, ARFID is so common in neurodiverse young people.

14/02/2025

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, a bit of CPD about next steps for SEN children. With EHCPs supporting them until aged 25, these are great opportunities for them to earn while they learn. OT plays a key role in supporting independent skills as they progress.

11/02/2025

Interesting piece of research, that adds to the wealth of evidence based used by OT's that shows that engagement in meaningful activities helps improve mental health ; whether that he your hobbies, going to school/work or friendships :)

New research published in The Humanistic Psychologist reveals that higher sense of meaning in daily life predicts better mental health outcomes in children. The link between sense of meaning in life and mental health is well-documented in adults, but relatively underexplored in children. Meaning, de...

11/02/2025

Great to see that Primark has unveiled a new affordable 49-piece adaptive clothing range for men and women. The new collection ranges from trench coats and tees to jumpers and jeans, all with features designed around the needs of disabled people.
The collection’s adaptive features are designed to make dressing simpler, from magnetic zippers and snap fastenings to waist loops that help to pull up trousers and hidden openings for tube, stoma, or catheter access. There is also a range of options for people who are seated, such as wheelchair users.

05/02/2025

As part of Children's Mental Health Week, Place2Be's Art Room have created an art activity that encourages children to embrace self-awareness and promotes personal growth. Why not have a go as a family drawing your plants?

Get involved in our wellbeing activity from Place2Be's Art Room where children can learn more about themselves by imagining a plant in growth.

04/02/2025

As a mental health OT, my passion has always been to enable patients to manage their mental health. It's great to see so many resources to promote Children’s Mental Health Week 3-9 February 2025). The theme this year is 'know yourself, grow yourself.’, which is about empowering young people to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them so they can build resilience, grow and develop. I enjoyed looking at the Anna Freud website today which has lots of resources for children of all ages. This video talks about developing healthy coping strategies.

Learn about different practical coping strategies and how to use them in this video.Young people will go through a lot of changes during adolescence, and the...

02/02/2025

01/02/2025

This was great to hear and something Play England advocate for through their National Play Strategy. I did a really interesting and enjoyable piece of work a while ago for a Parish Council, doing a consultation with children on how they spend their leisure time and what Play opportunities and equipment they wanted. Did it in a fun interactive way with arts and craft workshops, and baking. A great way to get their views. Spaces for Special Needs children is definitely needed.

01/02/2025

Intrigued to find out what national 'get up day' was about, I was pleasantly surprised that it was founded by the Ice Skating Association. Based on the fact that all skaters fall and constantly get up and keep trying, the day is an inspiration to remind you that whenever you fall, pick yourself up and try again."We all fall. It's how we get up that matters"