What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

OT4me, 5 Middlethorpe Business Park, Sim Balk Ln, York (2025)

03/09/2025

Adapted & sensory-friendly school uniform options.

Getting school-ready is not just about new stationery and shoes.

For many children, comfort and sensory needs make all the difference. Here are some great options:

Marks & Spencer "Easy Dressing" Range
Designed with the National Autistic Society.
- Hidden soft Velcro behind buttons
- Pull-on trousers up to age 16
- No back pockets
- Labels relocated inside pockets
Affordable, practical, and 10% of sales donated to the NAS.

Asda (George) "Easy On Easy Wear" Range
The first sensory-sensitive school wear range launched in a UK supermarket.
- Soft fabrics
- Label-free designs
- Elasticated waists
- Gentle seams and easy fastenings

Specialist Retailers & Adaptive Clothing Brands

Adaptive Clothing UK: sensory school shirts (£21.99) and trousers (£34.99) with flat seams, elasticated waists, and labels moved inside pockets.

Spectra Sensory Clothing: elastic-waist trousers, soft-collar shirts, no-label designs, flat seams.

Special Kids Company: tag-free onesies and vest suits up to age 16 with sensory-friendly finishes.

School uniforms can be inclusive, comfortable, and affordable. These options help children feel at ease so they can focus on learning.

02/09/2025

🎉 Celebrating Jess! 🎉

Jess has been part of our OT team for 3 years, and what an amazing 3 years it has been! She is a fantastic Occupational Therapist who brings so much fun, energy, and laughter to our team and to the kids she works with. 💜

Jess is compassionate, dedicated, and especially wonderful in supporting our more complex kids. She has such a gift for helping children access the curriculum in school, and her love for her work shines through every day.

We’re so lucky to have her on our team – not only for her skills and passion but also for her funny stories and brilliant sense of humour. Thanks for everything you do, Jess! 🙌✨

29/08/2025

In Occupational Therapy, we love to work on oral motor development.

Why? Because oral motor control is foundational for:
- Language development
- Feeding
- Safe swallowing

And the best part... it doesn’t have to feel like work!

We use playful, engaging activities that children love.

For example:
🪐 Competing to see who can get the planet to the end of the tunnel
🫧 Blowing bubbles and popping them as fast as possible

These games aren't just fun, they’re building blocks for clear speech and safe swallowing.

28/08/2025

🌟 Celebrating Holly’s 1-Year Anniversary! 🌟

Holly first joined us as a student from York College, eager to gain insight into occupational therapy. She made such a fantastic impression that we couldn’t let her go — and a year ago, she officially became part of our team as an OT Assistant.

Since then, Holly has gone from strength to strength. She is now completing her OT degree apprenticeship at Huddersfield University, all while being a much-loved member of our staff. Both the children and the team adore working with her — her energy, creativity, and compassion shine through in everything she does.

This summer, Holly planned and supported all of our summer groups, which were a huge success thanks to her hard work and dedication.

We’re so proud of how far she’s come and can’t wait to see where her OT journey takes her next. 💜👏

25/08/2025

Can story time become a full-body adventure that boosts regulation, builds skills and ignites imagination?

Last week at OT4me, our Sensory Story Group set off on two incredible journeys, Going on a Bear Hunt and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Why sensory stories matter in occupational therapy:

⟶ Regulation through rhythm and repetition: Familiar story patterns bring predictability, which helps calm the nervous system and creates a sense of safety.
⟶ Tactile and taste exploration: From juicy plums to crunchy apples, tasting the fruits from The Very Hungry Caterpillar gave children new sensory input and supported food exploration in a fun way.
⟶ Movement and proprioception: Splashing through rivers, squelching in mud, and swishing through grass gave children the heavy work and whole-body play that strengthens body awareness and supports motor planning.
⟶ Imagination and praxis: Bringing stories to life encouraged sequencing, problem solving, and flexible thinking, which are all important executive function skills.

The children had a brilliant time, built confidence, and learned through play in a safe and creative space. And yes, there was a lot of mess… but in OT, that is a sign of children fully exploring and growing through their sensory world.

What stories do your children love to act out?

22/08/2025

Why does building a den matter?

Proprioception (body awareness):
Moving big materials, pushing, pulling, and crawling into dens gives deep pressure and heavy work input, which helps regulate the nervous system. 🧱💪

Vestibular input (balance & movement):
Climbing under, over, and around structures challenges balance, coordination, and spatial orientation. 🤸‍♂️🌀

Tactile input (touch):
Handling different textures (blankets, cushions, blocks) supports tactile exploration and desensitisation for children who might be avoidant or seeking.

Motor planning & praxis:
Figuring out how to build the den requires ideation (what to build), sequencing (what order), and ex*****on (actually doing it). That’s core praxis.

Executive functioning:
Den building encourages planning, problem-solving, organisation, and flexible thinking - all higher-level skills OT often targets. 🧠📋

Social participation:
If done in a group, it supports teamwork, negotiation, and communication. If solo, it builds independence and confidence.

Emotional regulation & safety:
The finished den becomes a self-made “safe space” where children can retreat, calm, and regulate emotions - vital in sensory integration therapy.

Den building isn't just fun - it’s:

➝ Heavy work for regulation
➝ Sensory-rich input across multiple systems
➝ Practice in motor planning and executive skills
➝ A way to support both social connection and independence

Join our newsletter using the link in our bio to receive helpful information like this straight to your inbox 👉 https://ot4me.co.uk/newsletter

17/08/2025

We love receiving positive feedback from our clients.

Here's some feedback that Emma received recently.

“I can't recommend OT4me enough. We had Emma and she was brilliant with my daughter The report was also brilliant and so thorough!

She even sent me an email with some tips after our feedback call to help me with tactics for my daughter with PDA profile”.

If you would like to chat to one of our OTs, you can set up a free 30 minute introduction call here 👉 https://ot4me-ltd.splose.com/booking

15/08/2025

The four functions of behaviour – and why they matter!

All behaviour is communication. When we understand why a behaviour is happening, we can respond in ways that actually help.

If a child’s behaviour feels unpredictable, challenging, or just plain confusing… there is always a reason.

And once you know the why, you can change the how you respond.

The four main functions are:

1️⃣ Escape
Avoiding something that feels overwhelming – noise, tricky work, or a crowded space.

2️⃣ Attention
Seeking connection, not "being naughty". This could be pulling at clothing to share a thought or hitting out when feeling unsafe.

3️⃣ Access to tangibles
Wanting or needing something – from a drink or snack, to the iPad, or a toilet break.

4️⃣ Sensory
Responding to sensory needs – seeking movement, avoiding textures, or reacting to noise.

When we identify the function, we can give the child what they truly need – whether that's a break, connection, a tangible item, or sensory input – and reduce the challenges for everyone.

14/08/2025

🎉 Celebrating 2 Years of Rachel at OT4me! 🎉

Today we’re so excited to celebrate Rachel’s 2-year anniversary with us! 🌟

Rachel is not only a Specialist OT and Sensory Integration Practitioner, but also our incredible Clinical Lead here at OT4me. We are so blessed to have her on our team. 💛

In therapy, Rachel brings creativity, playfulness, and care into every session—earning amazing feedback from families and making a real difference in children’s lives. As a Clinical Lead, she is solution-focused, supportive, and always driving our service forward with her passion and dedication.

Rachel, thank you for the energy, kindness, and expertise you bring every single day. Here’s to many more years of making a difference together! 💐👏

11/08/2025

The teenage brain is still under construction until 25. 🧠

If parenting or teaching a teenager sometimes feels like a rollercoaster, there is science behind it.

The prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain that plans ahead, controls impulses, and regulates emotions – is still developing until around age 25.

At the same time, the limbic system (responsible for processing emotions, reward seeking, and peer influence) is highly active. That means:

⟶ Emotions and impulses often overpower rational thinking
⟶ Peer approval can outweigh logical decision-making
⟶ Dopamine sensitivity makes risk-taking and novelty feel extra rewarding

Add in rapid growth and changes to the proprioceptive system and you might notice more clumsiness, door slamming, or “What were you thinking?” moments. 🤯

Teens are still practising regulation, planning, and self-control.

They need clear expectations, patient guidance, and adults who spell things out step-by-step – even for tasks we think are obvious.

Every odd moment is a chance to strengthen skills they will carry into adulthood.

Want to learn more? You can catch up on our free 1-hour webinar that was delivered by OT Louise Newton last week, the link is in our bio.

10/08/2025

Parents! Due to high demand, we have added two additional summer group sessions on Monday 18th August. Spaces are filling fast.

Discover the magic of play this summer with OT4me’s Summer 2025 Groups!

Designed and led by a qualified Occupational Therapist, these small-group sessions support your child’s development through hands-on, sensory-rich, and imaginative activities. From messy play and sensory stories to Nerf battles, superhero training, and Gladiator-style challenges, each session is packed with fun while promoting key skills like coordination, creativity, emotional regulation, and social interaction. With a maximum of 4 children per session and plenty of opportunities for exploration, connection, and laughter, these groups offer a safe, nurturing space for your child to grow and thrive, while you enjoy a cuppa onsite!

Ages 4–6

Messy Play | 📅 Monday 18th August | 🕘 9–10am | £20

Ages 6–8

Slime Making & Tactile Play | 📅 Monday 18th August | 🕑 2–3pm | £20

Ages 8–11

Slime Making & Messy Play | 📅 Monday 11th August | 🕑 2–3pm | £20

Ages 12+

Gladiator Training Camp (Advanced) | 📅 Monday 11th August | 🕘 9–10am | £20

🎨 Primary School Age

Floor is Lava & Hide and Seek | 📅 Monday 11th August | 🕒 3–4pm | 💷 £20
Floor is Lava & Hide and Seek | 📅 Monday 18th August | 🕒 3–4pm | 💷 £20

Booking Info:
✅ Max 4 children per session
☕ Parents stay on site
📧 Book via email: enquiries@OT4me.co.uk or phone us 07858617845 - 07850535965
💳 Payment secures your place
⚠️ Non-refundable bookings
📆 Sessions may repeat if demand is high.

Know any parents who might be interested? Share this with them! 🦑🐙🦞

08/08/2025

💻 Webinar recording - Did you miss our recent event?

Thank you to everyone who joined our recent webinar with OT4me Clinical Director and Specialist Occupational Therapist, Louise Newton.

This session explored whether meltdowns, shutdowns and daily struggles are signs of defiance – or misunderstood sensory needs.

Louise covered:
- The four main functions of behaviour and how to identify them
- How self-regulation develops from infancy through to young adulthood
- The role of sensory processing, including vestibular, proprioception and interoception systems
- How sensory differences can be mistaken for ‘bad behaviour’
- Practical strategies – from movement breaks and deep pressure to calming corners, sensory ladders and environmental adaptations

If you missed it, or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the full recording using the link in the comments below. 👇

For personalised advice, you can also book a free 30-minute consultation with our team.

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm