Building Blocks Therapy

27/07/2025

Benefits of practicing fastening

29/06/2025

In hot weather 🌞 , individuals with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing differences may experience heightened discomfort and sensory overload due to increased heat, humidity, and related sensations like sweating and the feel of clothing. 👗 👖

Strategies for sensory regulation in hot weather include managing environmental factors like temperature 🌡️ and clothing 👕 , utilising cooling aids 🪭 , and practicing calming sensory activities 😌 .

Environmental Adjustments:

Cooling Spaces: Seek out air-conditioned or cooler environments, especially during the hottest parts of the day. In the UK this is between 1400-1900

Clothing Choices: Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen.

Limit Outdoor Time: Reduce exposure to direct sunlight and heat by spending time indoors or in shaded areas during peak heat hours.

Cooling Aids:
Cold Therapy: Apply cool compresses or ice packs to key body areas like the neck, wrists, or forehead to help regulate temperature or use paddling pools and water pistols in play.

Cool Liquids: Drink plenty of cool, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated and help regulate body temperature.

Cool Water Immersion: Engage in water play or take cool showers or baths to help lower body temperature.

Sensory Activities:
Weighted Items: Use weighted blankets or lap pads with cooling properties for a calming sensory experience.

Fidget Toys: Provide fidget toys or other tactile objects to help redirect focus and manage anxiety.

Calming Activities: Engage in calming activities like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or gentle movement.

If you would like to discuss your child’s needs we have many ways you can contact us:

🟪Facebook - Buildingblocksindependenttherapy

🟥Instagram-

🟧Website - www.building-blockstherapy.co.uk

🟩Email - building-blockstherapy@outlook.com

🟦Telephone - 07743734510

25/02/2025

2 of 10 things to do at home to develop your child’s functional skills.

Being outdoors is great for children. As well as the fact kids love the great outdoors, the fresh air works wonders for them, and outdoor activities keep them active.

Gardening engages all sorts of senses and helps children to develop and recognise them without even realising. They can feel the texture of soil, seeds, flower and petals. They get to smell all the amazing flower scents and see all the colourful petals.

It also helps develop hand-eye coordination and builds physical strength. Gardening is quite physical and requires the body to work hard digging, carrying, lifting, sieving, watering etc.
As children garden, they develop important motor skills that will help them improve their academic skills such as writing, cutting and typing.

We have many ways you can contact us:

🟪Facebook - Buildingblocksindependenttherapy

🟥Instagram-

🟧Website - www.building-blockstherapy.co.uk

🟩Email - building-blockstherapy@outlook.com

🟦Telephone - 07743734510

19/02/2025

1 of 10 things you can do at home with your child to support the development of their functional skills:

Explorative play enables children to explore playing through all their senses (make sure children are always supervised, especially children who may place objects in their mouths).

Messy Play:
‒ Sand and water play.
‒ Playdough and slime.
‒ Food play: Angel Delight, custard, jelly, whipped cream, mashed potato etc.
‒ Encourage outdoor play in gardens, mud kitchens, playing in puddles etc.
‒ Edible paint; yoghurts mixed spices which can be used for finger painting.

Smelly play:
‒ Scented homemade playdough.
‒ Fill empty water bottles or containers with different foods such as orange slices, herbs, spices, fruit tea bags etc. Remove the lid and encourage your child to explore the smell.

We have many ways you can contact us:
🟪Facebook - Buildingblocksindependenttherapy
🟥Instagram-
🟧Website - www.building-blockstherapy.co.auk
🟩Email - building-blockstherapy@outlook.com

16/02/2025

We want to share some brilliant information from the below webpage for 10 ideas that you can work on at home that can he helpful for children!

Come back over the next few weeks where we will share a further 10 ideas that you can do at home....that will be 20 things in total you can do at home to support functional skills development!

https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/ten-at-home-occupational-therapy-activities-that-can-make-a-difference/

We have many ways you can contact us:
🟪Facebook - Buildingblocksindependenttherapy
🟥Instagram-
🟧Website - www.building-blockstherapy.co.auk
🟩Email - building-blockstherapy@outlook.com

At-home occupational therapy activities can be helpful for children who are missing out on regular services. Read more about these fun, simple OT activities.

08/02/2025

Tactile Defensiveness: Why My Child Hates Hugs, Tags and is in Constant Fight or Flight Mode. Sensory issues that may affect your child's tactile.

01/02/2025

🤚 Hypermobility 🦵🏿

Hypermobility is caused by laxity in the ligaments which results in being able to extend beyond the normal range of movement 🤸🏿‍♀️ .

For many this does not affect their daily function and they may not be aware of their hypermobility. 🧐

Joint flexibility/hypermobility is more noticeable in children 👶🏼 than adults 🧑. Research suggests more than 70% of children under 8 years and 55% of 4-14 year olds are hypermobile (de inocenio et al).

For some children Hypermobility can impact upon their fine motor skills. It can lead to:
🧩Poor judgement (grading) of force
🧩Excessive use of force in order to stabilise the joint
🧩Pain and fatigue
🧩Difficulties with handwriting
🧩Difficulties with cutlery
🧩Difficulties with scissors
🧩Difficulties with dressing
🧩As well as other functional tasks.

Hypermobility can affect the shoulder and pelvic girdle, which can affect sitting 🪑 posture and have a negative impact upon a child’s fine motor skills 🪡 as they are less able to control their upper limbs 💪🏽as they may use them to assist with maintaining posture and may require frequent adjustment of position to maintain comfort.

For strategies to support Hypermobility why not contact us here are at Building Blocks Therapy.

We have many ways you can contact us:

🟪Facebook - Buildingblocksindependenttherapy

🟥Instagram-

🟧Website - www.building-blockstherapy.co.auk

🟩Email - building-blockstherapy@outlook.com

29/01/2025

Exercise is a key component in helping kids learn to self-regulate and here is why:

Improved Brain Function 🧠💡: Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, boosting cognitive functions like attention, memory, and decision-making. This helps kids focus better and control their impulses.

Stress Reduction 😌💆‍♂️: Exercise releases endorphins, the “feel-good” chemicals that reduce stress and improve mood. When kids are active, they can handle frustration or anxiety more easily, keeping calm and making better choices.

Increased Self-Control 🏅🚦: Regular exercise builds discipline. Whether in team sports or solo activities, kids learn to follow rules, cooperate with others, and control their impulses. This helps with self-regulation in daily life, like staying focused or managing emotions.

Better Sleep 🛏️💤: Exercise helps kids sleep better at night, and a good night's rest is key for emotional regulation. When they wake up refreshed, they’re more ready to face challenges and manage tough emotions.

Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem 💪🌟: Physical activity makes kids feel accomplished and confident. This sense of achievement empowers them to handle difficult situations and stay in control of their emotions.

So yeah, exercise is like a superpower for building both body and mind! 😎👊

Want more information on this important piece of child development? Check out what the research says: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/self-regulation-research-a-simple-overview/

29/01/2025

Hi I’m Jen! Welcome to BBT!

01/10/2024

22/08/2024

It’s GCSE results day….

How did you/your young person do?

Does it matter?

No! It doesn’t! Not everyone performs in tests and exams the same, some people fall apart, some people excel, but in the end IT DOES NOT MATTER!

The most important thing is you tried your best!

There are so many different opportunities available to get you where you want to be…. grades are not everything!

Try an apprenticeship
Travel
Volunteer
Get a job
Get life experience!

Find what you love and are passionate about!

Don’t let a lack of grades stop you from pursuing your dreams! Just because they are beyond reach, doesn’t make them out of reach with the right support in place!

I got a GCSE grade E in maths……. I never passed that GCSE, but I did do application of number L3 which got me into uni to study Occupational Therapy!

I now lead a brilliant team of OTs in the NHS and set up and run a very successful private OT practice!

Reach for the moon, as the worst that will happen is you will catch a star!

19/06/2024

Building Blocks Therapy is an Independent Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service based in Bedfordshire.

Our aim is simple, to provide evidence based, high quality and affordable independent therapy to children and families to help build skills to develop functional independence.

We provide assessment, treatment and advice in relation to a child’s functional difficulties within the home environment and can provide advice and recommendations for use within a child’s educational setting.

If you would like to discuss your child’s needs we have many ways you can contact us:

🟪Facebook - Buildingblocksindependenttherapy

🟧Website - www.building-blockstherapy.co.uk

🟩Email - building-blockstherapy@outlook.com