Blossom Children's Occupational Therapy

04/02/2026

Today Lauren has been running training for parents and schools supporting PINS Bedfordshire

The PINS project — Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools — is a national initiative in England designed to make mainstream primary schools more inclusive and better equipped to support neurodivergent pupils. It is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and supported by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The aim of this project is to :
🌸Bring together health and education specialists, expert parent carers and school staff to work collaboratively within mainstream primary schools.

🌸Shape whole-school SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) provision so systems and practices better meet the needs of all pupils, especially those who are neurodivergent (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia).

🌸Support early interventions, staff training and environmental improvements that enhance inclusion and learning outcomes.

🌸Strengthen partnerships between schools and parent carers so families play a key role in shaping provision.

We are also running training for PINs Northants , Leicestershire & Rutland . Look out for more info !

30/01/2026

Here at Blossom we often work with families that are so happy with their child's progress in therapy, she are reluctant for it to come to an end. Quite rightly, if your child is progressing then why would you want to discontinue?!?!

Here at Blossom we follow the Occupational Therapy cycle as we are predominantly an OT service but feel this fits well for Speech & language therapy also . This is because therapy for children is not meant to be ongoing forever. It works best as a cycle of care, with a clear beginning, focus, and end.

Each episode of care starts by identifying a specific area that is impacting a child’s daily life—such as self-care, play, learning, or participation at home or school. Therapy then targets these goals with a clear plan. When goals are met and the child has the skills or strategies they need, therapy should come to an end.

This approach is intentional. It allows children and families to practise skills independently, return to everyday life with confidence, and access therapy again in the future if a new need arises.

Working in episodes of care also helps us be more transparent and accurate when families ask about waiting times and timeframes. With clear goals and planned endings, we can better support families who are waiting to access services.

Our aim is to support what matters most, build capacity, and then step back—so therapy is meaningful, effective, and responsive to real needs.

We hope this post helps to better explain our therapy packages and episodes of care . Please share to anyone accessing or wishing to access our services that may find this useful.

Thank you
Rachael, Blossom 🌸

30/01/2026

Happy birthday to our SALT libby !!

29/01/2026

Praxis refers to the ability to plan, organise, and carry out purposeful movements. It is not just about muscle strength or coordination—it involves knowing what to do, how to do it, and in what order.

Praxis includes:
🌸Ideation – coming up with an idea for an action (e.g., deciding how to play with a new toy)
🌸Motor planning – figuring out the steps and movements needed
🌸Execution – carrying out the movement smoothly and efficiently

Children use praxis for everyday activities such as getting dressed, using cutlery, handwriting, playing sports, building with blocks, and navigating playground equipment.

Occupational therapy supports praxis development through play-based, meaningful activities that strengthen motor planning, body awareness, and confidence.

23/01/2026

Supporting independence

This week I (Rachael) worked alongside a young person to build confidence and independence while accessing the local community. With the support of our therapy dog Ella, we practised entering a shop, navigating public spaces, and next step will be engaging with others — tasks that usually feel overwhelming due to high anxiety and a need for mum to provide reassurance.

Using slow graded steps and a clear plan after building rapport over a number of weeks prior , the child was able to participate without her Mum.

Moments like these highlight how the right support can make community participation feel safe, achievable, and empowering.

21/01/2026

Children with trauma are not “attention seeking” — they are connection seeking.
When a child has experienced trauma, their nervous system learns that safety comes from proximity, reassurance, and predictable relationships. Behaviours that look disruptive, clingy, or demanding are often attempts to regulate overwhelming feelings and check whether the adult is emotionally available.

Reframing these moments matters. When we respond with curiosity instead of correction, we send a powerful message: You are safe, you are seen, and your needs make sense.

Connection builds regulation. Regulation builds trust.

RelationalSafety BehaviourIsCommunication HealingThroughRelationships

15/01/2026

Children with sensory needs often prefer bland, beige foods for reasons that go far beyond “picky eating.”

Many fruits have natural variability in taste, texture, temperature, and even smell. One strawberry can be sweet and soft, the next sour and firm. For a child with sensory sensitivities, that unpredictability can feel overwhelming and unsafe. Their nervous system is constantly scanning for surprises, and inconsistent foods increase anxiety before the food even reaches their mouth.

Bland, beige foods are predictable. Crackers, plain pasta, toast, or nuggets tend to look the same, smell the same, feel the same, and taste the same every time. That consistency helps the child feel in control and regulated. When a child’s sensory system is already working hard to manage noise, movement, clothing, and social demands, food that is reliable becomes a source of comfort rather than stress.
This preference is not about defiance, bad habits, or parenting style. It is a nervous system strategy. When children feel safe and regulated, their brains are far more open to learning, exploration, and eventually expanding food choices.

Supporting sensory eaters starts with understanding their experience

07/01/2026

🎯 Sensory circuits 🧘‍♀️

- A short sensory motor intervention
- Best delivered in groups but can be 1:1
- 3 main sections, Alerting Organising, Calming . Must be followed in this order.
- Ideal to support children first thing in the morning transitioning into school.
- Suitable for supporting regulation, motor development and those who struggle with transitions.

- Alerting ideas :
Trampoline, bouncing on space hopper/ gym ball, self spinning

- Organising ideas:
Balancing, hopping, aiming &catching, target throwing

- Calming ideas:
Yoga positions, isometrics, gym ball squash

Further resources on sensory circuits, please see our website 🌐

01/01/2026

As we step into 2026, we want to take a moment to thank the families who trust us with their children, and the colleagues who walk alongside us with care, skill, and dedication. Supporting children with additional needs is a responsibility we hold deeply, and it continues to shape who we are as a service.

In the year ahead, our hope is to keep creating spaces where children feel safe to explore, confident to try, and supported to grow in their own way and at their own pace.

We look forward to strengthening partnerships with families, collaborating with our Educational colleagues to support children in schools, listening closely to children’s voices, and delivering support that is thoughtful, evidence-based, and genuinely meaningful to everyday life.

Thank you for being part of our Blossom community.

Please COMMENT or MESSAGE us any future content you would like to see this year that would be helpful for you. This will enable us to shape our social media accordingly.

01/01/2026

Training bookable via North Northamptonshire Parent Carer Voices to support families with sensory processing

SENSORY PROCESSING WORKSHOP 🩷🩵

Why parents should book this workshop 👇

If sensory overload is affecting daily life this session is for you. Our Sensory Processing Workshop, facilitated by Blossom Children's Occupational Therapy will help you understand why your child reacts the way they do and what actually helps.

You’ll leave with practical, realistic strategies you can use straight away to:
• reduce meltdowns and anxiety
• support regulation at home and out in the community
• improve routines like getting dressed, mealtimes, sleep and school readiness

When we understand sensory needs and know how to manage them, family life becomes calmer, more predictable and less exhausting for everyone. 🩷

This isn’t theory. It’s hands-on support that makes a real difference to children and young people, and to the whole family.🩵

📅 23rd February
🕐 09.30 - 11.30
📍 Holiday Inn CORBY

🔗 Book your place now — spaces are limited 👇
https://npcv.co.uk/book-a-service%2Fevent

23/12/2025

Happy christmas to all of our families and colleagues!

Everyone's christmas will look unique........ thats okay! Remember to have the christmas that suits you and your family, you don't need to conform to the 'expected christmas norms'.

We look forward to seeing you all again after christmas 🎄

From Team Blossom 🌸