Lothian Occupational Therapy LTD

03/10/2025

At Lothian Occupational Therapy we specialise in helping individuals improve and regain functional independence. Our expertise in goal setting and managing and addressing conditions can make a significant difference in the lives of clients.

In practice, we work closely with individuals experiencing dysfunction through disability and reduced physical ability. Our focus includes developing personalised treatment plans, implementing therapeutic interventions, and providing education and support.

Some strategies employed include:

Goal setting: assessing and analysing where difficulties lie and setting your own aims and goals for a fulfilling life.

Pain Management: Assessing and addressing the underlying causes of pain, developing pain management strategies, and implementing techniques such as occupation therapy, physical modalities, and relaxation techniques.

Sensory assessment: Profiling sensory experiences and analysing sensory preferences to overcome obstacles.

Activity and Exercise Prescription: Designing tailored therapy programs to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance, taking into account individual abilities, limitations, and goals.

Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Devices: Identifying and recommending assistive devices, such as mobility aids or ergonomic tools, to facilitate independent functioning and reduce the risk of further injury or fatigue.

Environmental Modifications: Assessing and modifying home or work environments to ensure safety, accessibility, and optimal energy conservation.

Education and Self-Management: Providing information on condition specific management techniques, energy conservation strategies, coping skills, and promoting self-care practices to empower individuals to take an active role in their own well-being.

Psychosocial Support: Addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of living with reduced occupational performance, and providing counselling or referring patients to other mental health professionals if needed.

As an occupational therapist, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers, is crucial for holistic care and interdisciplinary approaches.

Our expertise is invaluable in helping individuals overcome challenges, improve their functional abilities, and enhance their overall quality of life.

16/09/2025

ADHD symptoms can be a massive barrier to getting into and sustaining a work life balance. Here I've pulled together some information to help:

Legal protections & rights

1. **Equality Act 2010**
ADHD is usually considered a disability (if it has a substantial and long-term effect on daily activities). Under the Equality Act, employers must make *reasonable adjustments* so that a disabled person is not at a substantial disadvantage in the workplace.

2. **Reasonable Adjustments**
These might include things like:

* flexible working patterns
* quieter or less distracting workspace
* use of organisational tools, reminders
* different ways of giving instructions or structuring tasks
* adjustments in supervision or feedback frequency

3. **Access to Work (UK-wide)**
A scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If ADHD is affecting your ability to do your job (or you are about to return/start work), you can apply for an Access to Work grant. This can cover funding for:

* equipment and software
* support workers or coaches
* special transport or adjustments to your workplace

It doesn’t matter if you’re employed, about to be employed, or self-employed. There are eligibility criteria, but ADHD generally qualifies.

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Scotland-specific support

1. **Fair Start Scotland**
This is a devolved service in Scotland, voluntary, aimed at helping people who have barriers (health, disability, etc.) into work and to sustain employment. It provides pre-employment support (finding work, training) as well as *in-work support* (help during employment) for up to 12 months.

2. **Supported Employment Services**

* Organisations like the Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) help people with disabilities into work. SUSE work with jobseekers and employers to provide supported employment.
* Also “Ready, Willing and Able” delivered by SeeAbility works in Scotland to support people with learning disabilities, autistic people, etc. While its main focus may be those groups, there may be overlap or similar models for people with ADHD depending on their support needs.

3. **Organisations & Advice Lines**
You can get guidance from:

* Disability Information Scotland.
* Advicelocal UK which can point you to local advice on employment, disability rights etc.
* Lead Scotland for learning & disability support services. While they’re more focused on learning disabilities, they may have useful links.

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Practical steps to returning to work

Here are some things you might do to make your transition smoother:

* Get a medical assessment / diagnosis if you don’t already have one, to help define what support you need (though you don’t always need a formal diagnosis to request adjustments).
* Think about what adjustments would help you — e.g. schedule flexibility, a quiet space, regular check-ins, task breakdowns etc.
* When you feel ready, disclose (to someone appropriate in the workplace, like HR or your manager) that you have ADHD and ask for reasonable adjustments.
* Apply for Access to Work to get funding for what you need.
* Use support services (like Fair Start Scotland) to help with finding work / sustaining work.
* Find an ADHD coach/ mentor/ therapist to help with time management, organisation, coping strategies.

The largest user-led organisation in Europe offering support to those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette’s syndrome.

03/09/2025

🤓 Visual-motor integration 🧐 kids and adults read on...

Visual-motor integration is how the eyes and hands work together. It’s what helps us copy shapes, write letters, cut with scissors, or catch a ball.

When we check this skill, it helps us see:

School skills – Kids need good eye-hand coordination to write, draw, and do math.

Everyday tasks – Things like tying shoes, using utensils, and building with blocks all depend on this skill.

Early support – If a child is having trouble, we can spot it early and give the right help before school gets harder.

In short, testing visual-motor integration shows us how ready a child is for learning and daily activities, and whether they might need extra support.

Visual-motor integration isn’t just for kids. In adults, it helps with driving, handwriting, job tasks, cooking, using tools, sports, and even balance. If someone has a brain injury, stroke, neurological condition, or just notices more clumsiness, testing VMI can show how well their eyes and hands are working together.

This helps us know what supports or exercises might improve daily independence and safety.

Get in touch for an assessment.

31/08/2025

Great advice Borders Occupational Therapy

22/08/2025

Here are 5 ways ADHD looks different in adults vs kids:

1 Internal restlessness vs hyperactivity Kids may bounce off the walls. Adults? We feel mentally restless-constantly thinking, fidgeting, or multitasking.

2 Chronic procrastination
Not just missing homework anymore. It's bills, laundry, replying to email.... even when we want to get it done.

3 Emotional dysregulation
Quick frustration, anxiety, or sensitivity to rejection can feel overwhelming - and it's not "just stress."

4 Executive dysfunction, not laziness Trouble planning, organising, or following through - especially on long-term goals or tasks with multiple steps.

5 Masking and burnout
Many adults have learned to "mask" their symptoms to keep up. But over time, this leads to exhaustion and burnout.

ADHD is real in adults, and it deserves to be understood-not minimised.
You're not lazy. You're not failing. Your brain just works differently.

05/07/2025

Delighted to share that I've received confirmation that I have passed the Bond Solon Expert Witness training certificate. Report writing, cross-examination and a short law exam.

I pride myself on an open, honest, no-nonsense approach, happy to be found wrong, but always striving to be right. Twice in one year l've been told that I have a very well-balanced and "measured" approach.

Other feedback received: The candidate was well prepared and presented as very familiar and confident with the details of her report and was able to answer questions with clear explanations to assist the examiner with insight and clarity to her interpretation of the assessment conducted and framed against the experts knowledge.

I'm happy to take instruction on adult cases involving complex neurological conditions, multipathology, orthopaedic injuries, chronic pain, geriatric rehabilitation or functional disability.

Can't wait for my certificate to arrive!

05/07/2025

Delighted to share that I've received confirmation that I have passed the Bond Solon Expert Witness training certificate. Report writing, cross examination and a short law exam.

I pride myself on an open, honest, no nonsense
approach, happy to be found wrong, but always
striving to be right. Twice in one year l've been told hat I have a very well balanced and "measured" approach.

Other feedback received: The candidate was well prepared and presented as very familiar and confident with the details of her report and was able to answer questions with clear explanations to assist the examiner with insight and clarity to her interpretation of the assessment conducted and framed against the experts knowledge.

I'm happy to take instruction on adult cases involving complex neurological conditions, multipathology, orthopaedic injuries, chronic pain, geriatric rehabilitation or functional disability.

Can't wait for my certificate to arrive!

27/06/2025

The West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Community Equipment Store provides a range of equipment, issued on loan by professional health and social work staff, to support people to remain independent in the community.

As part of our drive to be as sustainable an organisation as possible, we are asking if you have equipment provided by the Community Equipment Store in good condition, and no longer required to return for recycling.

Items such as walking aids, bed rails, shower/bath seats and toilet seats can be returned to store, recycled and used by other clients.

To return equipment complete the online form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=B4vnHU6tSUCi25U-6LNhBzntOhgM-pdKisfMcGx7kiJUQjIxTUdTQ1owNFlKOEVQUTlFTUc2Wk82SS4u

Alternatively you can e-mail ces@westlothian.gov.uk

Or return to store:
Community Equipment Store
St John’s Hospital
Livingston
EH54 6PP
01506 280101

https://westlothianhscp.org.uk/equipment

16/06/2025

🌟 We’re attending the first-ever RCOT Members' Day! 🌟

Lothian Occupational Therapy Ltd is excited to be part of the inaugural Royal College of Occupational Therapists Members’ Day tomorrow! 🎉 This event brings together passionate professionals from across the UK, all dedicated to driving excellence in occupational therapy.

We’re looking forward to learning, connecting, and sharing ideas that will help us continue to empower our patients to live as independently and meaningfully as possible. Whether it’s enhancing daily routines, rebuilding confidence, or improving functional abilities, every insight we gain will directly benefit the people we support.

This is an opportunity to grow as a service, stay at the forefront of best practice, and ensure our approach remains rooted in evidence, innovation, and compassion.

Watch this space – we can’t wait to bring new energy and knowledge back to our community! 💬💡🙌



https://www.rcot.co.uk/membersday25

11/06/2025

With over 27 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Joanne is highly experienced in enabling individuals to regain independence with meaningful activities and to live full, empowered lives. Her professional journey spans hospital, community, and third sector settings. She currently leads her own independent Occupational Therapy practice, which includes working as an associate for local Physiotherapy clinics and a mental health clinic.

Lothian Occupational Therapy LTD provide specialist, home-based rehabilitation, focused on enhancing independence and function through evidence-based therapy, environmental adaptations, and provision of aids. We also offer case management and expert witness services.

Joanne's clinical expertise covers a wide range of conditions, including:

Musculoskeletal disorders (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, orthopaedic injuries, post-operative care)

Neurological conditions (Parkinson’s Disease, Functional Neurological Disorder, Dementia)

Sensory and developmental conditions (Dyspraxia, Autism, ADHD)

Chronic Pain and Frailty

Earlier in her career, Joanne worked extensively within community services across Lothian, facilitating hospital discharges and preventing avoidable admissions. She has also held roles in Major Trauma, aligning with the Major Trauma Network and working on Patient Recorded Outcome Measures and as a Quality Improvement Lead for Marie Curie.

What sets her approach apart is a keen observation of movement, careful planning, and deep listening. She believes that participation in meaningful activity is essential to health and healing. Her own experience of growing up with Rheumatoid Arthritis shaped her passion and her empathy - no one should have to sit on the sidelines of life and not be able to take part in activities.

Joanne accepts instructions from solicitors, insurers and individuals. She has also undergone formal training in the medico-legal process.

31/05/2025

May has been an astronomical month for making connections and ensuring that we support as many individuals as possible.

If your business needs an occupational therapist please get in touch, together we're better!

June is looking to be just as busy with networking opportunities and shared care for the people of Lothian.

27/05/2025

Do you struggle with your handwriting, often drop things or seem to be "all fingers and thumbs"

We can assess your upper limb function and provide activities and rehabilitation to help you.

Get in touch.