Rainbow Therapy 4 Children is an Independent Therapy provider based in North Essex, run by qualified Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Karen Bowden.

Via, Child First Plus, Karen is able to offer Child First Schools Independent Paediatric Occupational Therapy to children and young people within their own home, school, college or nursery environment.

Karen will provide an assessment and treatment service based around the child’s needs from an initial consultation through to managed care plans and specific treatment programmes. This is achieved using a child centred, play based approach in order to help the child to reach their full potential in all areas of life.

As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Karen can help with;

Poor fine motor skills including difficulty with using two hands together, pencil skills and handwriting.

Poor fine and gross motor coordination and motor planning skills including the difficulties commonly found in Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

Slower progress with achieving the physical developmental milestones of early childhood, also known as positions for play, e g rolling, side lying, sitting and kneeling.

Slower development of early play skills such as grasping and operating toys.

Assessment of Sensory Processing difficulties and provision of Sensory Integration advice and treatment.

Difficulties with visual perception, particularly when it affects handwriting ability.

Difficulties with the development of self-help skills including washing, dressing, eating and toileting.

Difficulties with concentration, focussing attention and social skills.

Assessment for the provision of specialist equipment to support children in activities of daily living.

Training to schools or nurseries around a particular condition such as Down syndrome or Cerebral Palsy, or an approach such as Sensory Circuits.

Karen has been qualified as an Occupational Therapist since 1994 and has worked as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist since 1996, in a variety of settings including mainstream and special schools, nurseries, children’s own homes and NHS clinics.

She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Occupational Therapy and has full professional insurance.

She has undertaken many post graduate training courses including those in Developmental Coordination Disorder, Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment, Management of Cerebral Palsy, Visual Perceptual and Handwriting difficulties.

Child First schools are able to access support via Karen at Rainbow Therapy 4 Children by completing the CHILD FIRST REFERRAL FORM or by contacting Karen directly via email.

rainbowtherapy4children@hotmail.co.uk

Costs for Child First Member Schools are;

1 hour within school – £60

I morning within school 9-12 – £150

1 afternoon within school 1-3pm – £100

1 full day 9am-3pm – £225