The 2026 AAC Awareness Month theme, “AAC in Everyday Life: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” reminds us that communication supports should not exist only in therapy sessions. For Occupational Therapists at The Therapy Network, AAC is closely connected to participation — helping children and young people communicate choices, express needs, build relationships and take a more active role in the everyday occupations that matter to them.
Messy play may look like simple fun, but it supports important early development. Activities involving water, sand, yoghurt, paint, mud, playdough, and other safe textures help babies and toddlers develop sensory processing, fine motor skills, curiosity, problem-solving, communication, and confidence. In this blog, The Therapy Network (TTN) explains why messy play is so valuable, how it supports development from an occupational therapy perspective, and how families can introduce it in practical, low-pressure ways at home.
A child can show us so much in a therapy room—but sometimes the missing piece of the puzzle is seeing them in the place where they spend much of their week: school. From managing classroom routines and playground friendships to coping with noise, organising belongings, starting tasks and regulating big emotions, school places many demands on a child at once. From an Occupational Therapist’s perspective, seeing these everyday moments firsthand can provide incredibly valuable insight into what is helping a child participate—and what might be getting in the way. In this TTN OT Insight, we explore why our Occupational Therapists work in schools, what we are looking for during a school visit, and how collaboration between therapists, educators and families can help children feel more confident, capable and included throughout their school day.
One of the most exciting milestones parents celebrate is watching [...]
Have you ever noticed your child swapping hands while colouring, turning the whole page instead of moving their arm, or using one hand for almost every task? While these behaviours may seem insignificant, they can sometimes point to an important developmental skill that is still emerging—crossing the midline. Crossing the midline is one of the building blocks for handwriting, reading, sports, self-care, and coordinated movement. It allows both sides of the body—and the brain—to work together efficiently. When this skill develops well, children move more smoothly, learn more easily, and tackle everyday tasks with greater confidence. At The Therapy Network (TTN), Occupational Therapists regularly assess and support midline crossing as part of a child's overall motor development, helping children strengthen the foundations they need for learning, independence and participation.
Many parents worry when they notice their child holding a pencil differently from their peers. But did you know that pencil grasp develops gradually through a series of predictable stages? In this blog, our paediatric occupational therapists explain how pencil grasp evolves, what is considered typical at different ages, common misconceptions, and when it may be helpful to seek support. Learn how strength, coordination, posture, and play all contribute to successful handwriting.
Movement Is the Brain's Favourite Teacher Children don't learn best [...]
Learning to dress independently is a key milestone in a child’s development, promoting confidence, self-reliance, and fine motor skill growth. This blog explores practical strategies parents can use at home to support children in mastering everyday dressing tasks, while highlighting how occupational therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) guide families with tailored approaches to build independence, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
Fine motor skills are essential for everyday tasks such as writing, dressing, feeding, and play. Developing these skills doesn’t require complex equipment—simple, engaging activities at home can make a significant impact. In this blog, we share 10 practical and easy-to-implement activities that support the development of hand strength, coordination, and control, while highlighting how occupational therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) can support children to build these skills in a fun and meaningful way.
Children go through many developmental phases, but sometimes challenges in daily life may indicate the need for extra support. This blog helps parents identify signs that occupational therapy (OT) might be beneficial, covering areas such as fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and emotional regulation. It also explains how occupational therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) work with children and families to build skills, confidence, and independence.
Mobile occupational therapy services to help empower people who are neurodiverse to fully participate in life.
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