Occupational Therapy

Specialist therapy to restore motor skills, regain independence, and improve how you carry out your daily activities

Overview

Occupational therapy helps you restore motor skills, regain independence, and improve how you manage the everyday activities that matter most — from preparing a meal and organizing medication to caring for yourself and your family. Rather than asking you to fit the task, our occupational therapists adapt the task and the environment to fit you, giving you the skills, strategies, and confidence to thrive in daily life.

Occupational therapy helps you rebuild the skills you need for everyday living. It helps you move with confidence, handle daily tasks more easily, and stay independent at home and in your community.

By matching activities and environments to your abilities, our therapists make daily life safer, more comfortable, and more meaningful — so you can focus on what matters most to you.

Occupational therapy supports people of all ages living with physical, neurological, or psychological challenges. It can help with:

  • Stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury
  • Persistent pain and arthritis
  • Replaced or affected joints
  • Poor balance
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Metabolic conditions such as diabetes
  • Poor vision
  • Behavioral difficulties
  • Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease

In children:

  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Birth defects
  • Serious injuries
  • Arthritis

Care is collaborative — the therapist observes, plans, and works closely with you to find the right approach, which may include:

  • Assessing hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and mental wellbeing
  • Reviewing your home for hazards and advising on a safer recovery environment
  • Considering social factors, including the family support available
  • Planning practical strategies, activities, and adaptive techniques for home, work, or school

Activities may include fine-motor exercises, memory games, and adaptive strategies that make up for specific impairments.

Following assessment, your therapist may recommend assistive devices and guide you in choosing, using, and maintaining them correctly:

  • Mobility aids (walkers, wheelchairs, crutches)
  • Hearing aids
  • Vision aids
  • Bathroom and restroom aids
  • Environmental management aids

Early support can make a real difference to a child’s development. For children with disabilities or at risk of them, early-intervention therapy supports sensory processing and cognitive, motor, and social skills — reducing the impact of developmental delay while building confidence and wellbeing.

Children with conditions such as autism or Down syndrome can benefit, and every session is tailored to the individual child, with the family a key part of their progress. We often support:

  • Dyspraxia (coordination) — targeted activities, from using tweezers to pick up small objects to obstacle courses and jumping exercises, to improve hand dominance and fine motor skills
  • Sensory processing difficulties — tailored exercises and, where appropriate, dietary strategies to develop healthy sensory input
  • Dysgraphia, dyslexia & visual difficulties — support with these and other challenges that make everyday tasks harder

Occupational therapy helps people of every age relearn life’s basic activities and overcome physical, learning, or mental-health barriers.

The goal is the greatest possible independence — so you can take a full part in your family, your work, and your community, adapting to your surroundings with greater confidence and ease.

If everyday tasks have become harder — because of injury, illness, a neurological condition, or a developmental challenge — our occupational therapy team is here to help you regain independence.

Get in touch to begin your care.

Your recovery matters to us, and we are with you every step of
the journey.

Care at Cambridge Hospital is a connected journey across inpatient, outpatient, home, and school services, supporting every stage of recovery.

Expert Care, Trusted Doctors

Our specialists are committed to providing the right care at every stage of your journey

Meet Our Team