New Forest 😍

Any OTs that have done a MSc in Autism in the UK? I work for the NHS supporting Autistic children & young people and I am really keen to take this further and do a research project. Trying to find a suitable master. Need to be part time and long distance. #OccupationalTherapy

Rant incoming…. Can we please stop telling ND children to ‘cope’. I am seeing so many children who’re experiencing burnout out because all that time where they’ve been trying to cope have caught up with them. Stop using ‘cope’ in goals & start using ‘comfortable’ or ‘thrive’. #OccupationalTherapy

Please have your say on the use of restraints in schools. Closing date is the 29th April 2025. SEND children are more likely to be restrained and this is not acceptable. consult.education.gov.uk/behaviour-un...

Another sunny day, perfect for a long dog walk #nature #dogwalk

Please contact @ot-expert.bsky.social if you can help 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

The clouds has broken up and look at that vibrant blue sky 😍 #nature #NewForest #dogswalks

Even on a cold, cloudy day, you can’t hide the beauty of the New Forest 🌳

For a change, we went for a brisk walk by the sea 😍 #dogs #nature #beach

#OccupationalTherapists: If you are new to BlueSky and you are looking to connect with other OTs, the best way to find and follow them is by clicking on ‘starter packs’ (you will then follow everyone listed in the pack). Each starter pack has up to 150 people.

Icy cold walk in the New Forest but what a beautiful day 😍😍😍 #LoveNature

Leaping into year 2025!

A cold but sunny walk in the New Forest! Love views like this 😍 #dogs #nature #walks

Stigma along with the professional's assuredness that their training was complete and accurate when in fact training omits a massive % of autistic experience, refutes or negates, is based on observation rather than lived experience, etc. It's a HUGE misalignment in care.

I think its similar to the reason women are not believed by men because we have different experiences that the person that needs to do the believing. In the case of doctors we also have atypical responses to meds, and they privilege their theory over our practical experience.

...access needs we may have. Ask every time as life is different on different days. I don't speak for all of us. The above very likely doesn't represent a great % of us so ask. None of this touches on actual treatment but if we can't make and get to the appt, we can't access treatment.

...clear written pre-appointment checklists to allow us to gather info in advance, set up appointment systems that allow us to email, text, or use an app (you likely already have some of those methods in place but not for appts), offer to dim the lights, turn off music, ask if there are other...

...pinpoint what's going on in our bodies, identify the sensation, translate it so you'll understand, etc. All while you're under time pressure to get a response and move forward. That pain scale btw? Toss that thing in the trash. Our bodies don't work like that. Suggestions? Establish simple...

... energy, we don't engage fully in the medical appt itself. Like, how can I tell you if I feel a thing when my brain is busy trying to get you to hear me? Then there's alexithymia which means you can ask questions but we need time and space to be able to translate what you mean then to...

Then we have the communication gaps that are invisible to allistics but painfully clear to us. We over prepare, researching so we have knowledge to know what you're asking, prepping responses in ways we'll be heard, speaking/masking in ways to keep you from getting annoyed and expending so much...

Where do we begin? There are barriers to making appointments. Phone call can be a nightmare of pacing, turn taking, unclear questions, misinterpreted responses, assumptions, hold muzak, and on and on. When online options are offered, it seems most are a means to tell you to call the office.

Thank you for all your contributions. Please do keep the chat going. If you interested in finding out more about autistic experiences of accessing healthcare and what all healthcare professionals can do to improve health outcomes, below are two must read articles:

Our final question: What can we do as Occupational Therapists to reduce these barriers and improve health outcomes for autistic people? #OTChat

Our second question: What are the adverse outcomes for autistic people when trying to access healthcare? #OTChat

Good evening! I hope everyone is well. Let’s dive in and start with our first question: What barriers do autistic people experience when accessing healthcare? #OTChat

Another book ordered. Really hoping this will be a book that I can recommend to all the schools. Just got to wait until publication day in January. I can’t wait.

Walking the dogs at sunset 😍. This is my #occupationaltherapy for my own wellbeing.

This book has just arrived through my letterbox. Hoping to learn more about how I can help some of the children I see that cannot access CAMHS. Who else has read this and what amis your review of this book? #OccupationalTherapy

Can anyone help Melissa? 🙏🏽 #OccupationalTherapy

I will be there #OTChat 🙌

Any OTs working, or interested in, in hospice / palliative care who would like to set up a starter pack? Would be great to have a community of practice on here.

This 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

If you are new to BlueSky, then check out this thread as it gives you good tips on how to navigate your way around BlueSky. #OccupationalTherapy

Thread for those new to BlueSky. First of all, welcome. It feels like a safer space, doesn’t it? But also perhaps a bit disorienting initially? Here’s some tips for getting your bearings.

We have reached 150 which is the maximum number of OTs I can add to one starter pack. So good to see the OT community grow on this platform. I have set up Occupational Therapy starter pack 2 🙌 #OccupationalTherapy #OccupationalTherapists go.bsky.app/BMUaY5w

In case you don’t know, you can use Bluesky directory to search for starter packs based on your interests. There is something for everyone. For #OccupationalTherapists there are 3 starter packs. Link to the directory: blueskydirectory.com/starter-packs

👀Could this be the new #OTalk???👀 #OccupationalTherapy

I am loving BlueSky so much that I have finally deleted everything off my Twitter account and deactivated it 🙌. Such a shame as the old Twitter was an amazing place for networking but BlueSky is looking to be even better. I hope it stays this way 🤞

@drzoffness.bsky.social created a fabulous starter pack on pain science and medicine. She is looking for more #OccupationalTherapists that works in this field. Please let her know if you want to be added. go.bsky.app/4r8uAeG

@keirwales.bsky.social created a fabulous starter pack for Mental Health Occupational Therapist. Please contact him if you want to be added to the list. go.bsky.app/FzgoGFL

Calling all #PaediatricOccupationalTherapists I have set up a starter pack for any OTs working with children, young people and families. Let me know if you would like to be added to it. go.bsky.app/GbEMh3X

Calling all #OccupationalTherapists Let me know if you would like specialist areas I.e Paediatric Occupational Therapy; Mental Health; etc. set up. To do this, I need a min. of 7 OTs to set up each specialist group. What specialist groups you would like to see and be part of #OccupationalTherapy

The British Occupational Therapy related magazine OT Today published a piece by me earlier this month, with the concluding part in the next issue. I’m writing about OT role with autistic kids, as I see it. publuu.com/flip-book/23...

#DogsofBluesky Do I look boverred?

Great occupational therapy starter pack here, created by the brilliant @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social ! Have a look and get exploring! __ #OccupationalTherapy #StarterPack #OT

Where are my #OTs at? 👋👋 Calling all #occupationaltherapists Thank you to @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social for the starter pack to help us find one another 💚 #occupationaltherapy

Calling all #Occupationaltherapists I have set up a starter pack for Occupational Therapy. Please let me know of any OTs that can be added and spread the word. go.bsky.app/7NRM4Bm