All information leaflets are copyright of The Cystic Fibrosis Trust Charity https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/

THESE SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC!!

WE WILL BE STARTING VIRTUAL CLASSES SOON KEEP UP TO DATE ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES!

As part of our physiotherapy service we currently run two exercise classes, these are the Lower Limb class ​(typically for children with lower limb injuries and pain) and the Core Class (​this is a pilates based class and is particularly useful for children with poor posture, back and hip pains).

These are after school rehabilitation classes which take place in the Neuro Gym ​at Poole Hospital. Your Physiotherapist will refer you in to a class if they think it would benefit you.

Below are information leaflets that will provide you with what exactly happens in each class.

Lower Limb Class Leaflet

Core Class Leaflet

Making sure your child gets enough exercise each and every day can be difficult when trying to come up with new and exciting ideas. So our physiotherapy team have devised a leaflet and a list of website ideas to help you:

1. Keep your children's activity levels in line with national guidelines.
2. Ensuring the exercise is fun so your child doesn't get bored.
3. Improving your child's general health and well being.

Children's physical activity leaflet

Why we should sit less!

List of sports and activities websites that may interest your child:

Swimming

• Poole dolphin centre
• Littledown leisure centre
• The Junction Broadstone
• Rossmore leisure centre

Dance Classes

• Steppin' out academy
• Poole academy of danceoole academy of dance
• Tip toes dance academy

Indoor climbing

• Bournemouth Climbing
• Project climbing centre

Family yoga

• Children's yoga in Dorset

Martial Arts

• Martial arts in Poole

Drama

• Dorset drama academy

Boxing

• Fit2Box

Skateboarding/ Roller-skating

•  Prevail Skate
•  Ramp Rats
• Streetlight Centre

Trampolining/Gymnastics

• Renascence Trampoline/Gymnastics
• British Gymnastics

Football

• Dorset county FA

Cricket

• ECB All stars cricket scheme
• Dorset cricket board

Netball

• Netball Dorset

Field hockey

• Hockey Dorset

Rugby

• Rugby Tots

These are just a few ideas but if none of the activities above interest your child try search engines such as :

Active Dorset

Change for life activity search engine

If your child suffers from a disability they can still be active and there are plenty of activities for them to take part in. The link below provides helpful suggestions for different activities and team sports that suit your child's preference:

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Occupational Therapy (OT) Service is for children up to 18 years old and is based within Children's Therapy Services at the Child Development Centre.

Services offered

The 'Sensory Parenting' course is a popular course which may be considered when referrals are received. The course provides parents with an insight into their child's sensory needs and how to support them.

ASD and Wheelchairs

The ASD OT service, Children's Learning Disability Service and Dorset Wheelchair Services have jointly produced guidance on the use of buggies or wheelchairs for children with ASD.

Copies of this advice can be downloaded here:

Buggies and Wheelchairs for children with ASD

Sensory Integration

What is sensory integration?

Download our leaflet 'What is Sensory Integration?'

Sensory integration is a process that happens in the brain to put all of the sensory information received together, make sense of it and act on it.

Our eight senses are:

• Visual
• Auditory (sound)
• Taste
• Smell
• Touch
• Proprioception (muscle and joint movement)
• Vestibular (balance and head movement).
• Interoception (inner body feelings)

Our brains integration sensory information automatically, all the time.

Sensory integration difficulties

If a child or adult has a problem integrating sensory information, they can find daily tasks difficult. It may result in children having a disproportionate response to sensory information, such as screaming when they hear a noise or saying that a someone touching their arm lightly was painful.  

The occupational therapists in Children's Therapy Services  can provide support to children on the autism spectrum with sensory difficulties - you can read more about their service here.

Useful resources

For further information about children with sensory needs, this video may be helpful.

There are handouts on our handouts for parents page, covering topics such as:

• Picky Eating
• Toothbrushing
• Movement
• Hair cuts

Your OT Appointment

When you get to the Child Development Centre, your parent/carer will tell the person at reception you are there. You will then wait in the waiting area. In the waiting area there are some books, toys, paper and colouring pencils for you to use while you wait.

When the therapists come to get you, they will call your name. You and your parent/carer will come with you into the appointment. 

The therapists want to know what you are good at, anything you find difficult, and will help you make a plan for home and school to make things easier. 

Your appointment will be approximately 45 minutes long.

We are looking forward to seeing you!