Are There Schoolchildren in Lewisham Who are Experiencing Practical Difficulties at Home and/or at School?

Abstract

A study was undertaken to ascertain the number of schoolchildren who are educated in, or live in, the Lewisham area and are experiencing difficulty at home and/or at school in daily living skills, handwriting/perceptual skills and general upper limb function/coordination. Parents and/or teachers of 258 children were asked to indicate by questionnaire whether or not each area was a difficulty for a child, and whether they felt that occupational therapy would be of benefit to that child at home or at school. The results showed that there were 77 children who were experiencing difficulties in one or more of the above areas and the parents and teachers of 92% of these indicated that they felt that occupational therapy would be of benefit. The results imply that there are a large number of children whose problems in these areas are not currently being met. It is proposed that an expansion of the paediatric occupational therapy service in Lewisham would help to alleviate this need.