OT Elsie - Paediatric Occupational Therapist

One of my favourite parts of my job, and arguably one of the most important, is helping the kids that I work with and their family/friends to understand neurodiversity. It is hugely beneficial for kids to have a name for their diagnosis and an understanding of how it impacts them day-to-day. It is equally important for siblings and friends to understand these differences so that they can be as supportive and accepting as possible. This list is a series of books to help children understand a range of neurodivergent diagnosis, both in themselves and others.

Learning to identify, express and regulate emotions is a complex skill which takes time to develop. It is also one of the most frequently expressed challenges from parents that I work with, both for younger and older children. These are some of my favourite books that I use in practice and recommend to caregivers to use when helping children learn about emotions. Those that are not tagged with either 'younger' or 'older' are appropriate for a wider age-range.

A list of tried and true toy recommendations that this paediatric Occupational Therapist uses in practice to support the development of pincer grip. I've tried to include various resources for different age ranges and different interests. Those with “Older” or “Younger” in the title are specifically for older/younger learners, and those that don't specify are appropriate for a wider age range. Some of these items are designed specifically for developing fine motor skills, and others are regular household items or games that can also be used to build on pincer grasp. If you have any questions about how to use any of the resources, please let me know and I'd be happy to help out!