Occupational Therapy books and resources

Integrated Yoga

Yoga with a Sensory Integrative Approach

Nicole Cuomo

Practising yoga creates a sense of calm and focus and heightens awareness of the body's functions and movements. For children with sensory processing difficulties - because they either have low sensory thresholds and are overwhelmed by sensory stimulation, or because they have high thresholds and do not register stimulation - yoga can be hugely beneficial.

Basic Pathfinder Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome

Ron Rubio

"After a few sessions with you, Nathan became aware of how he was carrying himself. We noticed a change in his gait. He was straighter, taller and more assertive in his walking. His gait was that of a confident man... He beamed with pride as I went on and on about how differently he presented himself. It shook me up!"

Breath in Action

The Art of Breath in Vocal and Holistic Practice

Edited by Jane Boston and Rena Cook

Breath in Action looks at the significance of breath to human life - not just the simple fact that if we stop breathing, we die, but also the more subtle ways in which our breath interacts with our voice and our being. Written by experts in vocal and holistic practice, the book is divided into four sections: Breath and the Body; Breath and the Mind; Breath and Holistic Practice; Breath and Performance.

Challenge Me! (TM)

Speech and Communication Cards

Amanda Elliott
Illustrated by David Kemp

Speech and language skills are a vital part of being able to communicate with others and express one's own needs. The Challenge Me!™ Speech and Communication Cards provide fun and dynamic challenges for children aged 3-12 with any form of speech problem, whether this is a severe problem which is related to a motor disability or a general delay in speech. This set of beautifully illustrated full-colour cards with accompanying instruction booklet will be an ideal creative tool for parents and professionals working to improve a child's speaking skills.

Multisensory Rooms and Environments

Controlled Sensory Experiences for People with Profound and Multiple Disabilities

Susan Fowler

This unique, fully photocopiable resource offers guidance and materials to aid those developing multisensory environments - artificially engineered spaces that encourage relaxation, social skills and learning by stimulating the five senses.

What Did You Say? What Do You Mean?

120 Illustrated Metaphor Cards, plus Booklet with Information, Ideas and Instructions

Jude Welton
Illustrated by Jane Telford

Expressions that don't literally mean what they say can be confusing for many children, but can be fun when they become familiar. Metaphors are particularly challenging for children with Asperger Syndrome (AS), because they tend to be literal thinkers. These cards can enable children with Asperger Syndrome to enjoy metaphorical language too. Using metaphors may also help children with AS to be more flexible and creative in the way they understand and use language.

Working with Ethnicity, Race and Culture in Mental Health

A Handbook for Practitioners

Hári Sewell

'This is a book for practitioners - essentially a self-training book but also one that could be used as a source of knowledge in a complex and controversial field. The author knows about the realities at the grass roots, how NHS mental health care is currently set up, what types of approach are practicable and what are not and more than all that he understands what busy practitioners may look for in a book called a "handbook".'
- Extract from the Foreword by Dr Suman Fernando

This book enables front line practitioners to understand why it is important to consider the specific needs of people from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds in mental health settings.

It offers practical guidance on how practitioners can take positive steps to improve the quality of their work and their relationships with BME service users, and ultimately how to improve their outcomes. By advocating the practice of recognizing the individuality of each service user, this book provides practitioners with the tools and information they need to work fairly and effectively.

Case examples of organisations that have achieved a quality of delivery that is valued by BME people are included, along with exercises that help practitioners to make links between theory and their individual practice. It is invaluable reading for all those working on the front line in mental health.

Activities for Adults with Learning Disabilities

Having Fun, Meeting Needs

Helen Sonnet and Ann Taylor

This valuable resource for people working with adults with learning disabilities provides over 60 sessions of fun and engaging activities that aim to entertain and stimulate the minds of people with learning disabilities.

Exploring the Self through Photography

Activities for Use in Group Work

Claire Craig

Photography shows us how to look at things from different perspectives, to reflect, to communicate and to express ourselves in a way that goes beyond words. The creative and introspective qualities of this accessible arts medium make it an ideal tool for use in therapeutic contexts.

Fuzzy Buzzy Groups for Children with Developmental and Sensory Processing Difficulties

A Step-by-Step Resource

Fiona Brownlee and Lindsay Munro
Illustrated by Aisling Nolan

Children with sensory and cognitive difficulties can struggle to interact with their peers, be easily distracted, and have problems coping with change. Fuzzy Buzzy Groups for Children with Developmental and Sensory Processing Difficulties has been devised to address the needs of children with...