Today we welcome a blog contribution from Dominic Simpson of Jigsaw Occupational Therapy.

Jigsaw Occupational Therapy is a specialist provider for children and young people living in the South East of England. We work with children and young people experiencing a wide array of profound and multiple disabilities. Some of these conditions include cerebral palsy, autism and Asperger’s, sensory processing disorders, acquired brain injuries, motor coordination difficulties and learning disabilities.

Jigsaw OT was founded in 2010, by Vicky Ruffle, in order to offer more effective and personalised assessments and therapy specifically designed around each individual child and young person’s needs, in addition to providing assistance and training to school staff, parents and carers. Jigsaw OT has two additional occupational therapists (Mel Campbell and Kaye Johnson) and each of our OT’s are trained sensory integration practitioners too and advanced sensory integration therapy level or up to level 3.

We have just opened a dedicated assessment and sensory integration therapy centre, the first and only one of it’s kind in Sussex. We are also working closely with local schools in the mid-sussex area, maximising children’s access to education and social inclusion.

Our new therapy room is filled to the brim with Rompa equipment and resources but the most popular Rompa equipment that the children have just loved, have been the Beano Swing, Southpaw Large Inflatable Barrel and of course the fantastic Soft Play Super Set. In fact, we’ve seen some great activities involving all three items at once! One recent task was to use the Beano Swing to knock down a tower made from the Soft Play Super Set, aiding a child seeking ‘crash and bump’ sensation and then also using the Beano Swing to drop down into the up-turned barrel helping motor planning and body awareness.

We are planning an open day on the 17th June, where we will open the doors of the centre to anyone who would be interested in visiting us to view our facilities, chat to our occupational therapists and learn more about what Jigsaw OT can offer.

For more information please visit http://www.jigsaw-ot.co.uk/news-events/2014/4/29/jigsaw-ot-opening-day.