Let me you into a little secret… I am always just as nervous as the young person is just before our assessment together! I don’t know what they will look or sound like when I open the door… and no two dyslexia assessments are identical, so every appointment is different for me. Don’t get me wrong - I have my assessments ready, and I am prepared with the information I have beforehand; but nothing prepares you for first meeting that young person face to face. I like to think

When a child finds it difficult to sit still, stay focused or wait for instructions, it can be tempting to think that movement is getting in the way of their learning. But for children with ADHD, movement can actually be part of the solution. Developing movement skills is complex. It involves much more than simply being able to move our bodies from one place to another. Children need to remember instructions, plan ahead, sequence themselves, switch between tasks, monitor thei

Motor skills are much more complex than simply having strong muscles or flexible joints. There are many different systems involved in helping a child plan, organise and carry out movement, and these can all influence how a child participates in play and everyday activities. How can autism affect movement and motor skills? Movement is influenced by so much more than just our muscles and joints. Many complex systems affect how children move and participate in play and daily tas

As a parent or carer, you know your child better than anyone. You may have noticed that they are developing differently from other children their age, or perhaps their nursery or preschool has raised some concerns. You may be wondering whether your child simply needs a little more time, whether some additional support could help, or whether there may be something more that needs to be explored. A pre-school developmental assessment can help provide a clearer picture of how yo

At Total Children's Therapy, we're delighted to be bringing back our popular Summer Holiday Speech & Language Therapy Offer for 2026. Available for new Speech & Language Therapy referrals, this special offer provides families across Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset with an affordable way to access specialist support before the new school year begins. Why choose summer for Speech & Language Therapy? For many children, the weeks leading up to September are an ideal time to build c

The long summer holidays can be a wonderful time to enjoy family adventures and make lasting memories. But with six weeks to fill, many parents find themselves searching for affordable activities that will keep children active, engaged and entertained. Here at Total Children's Therapy, we're continuing to support families throughout the school holidays, and we've created two free Summer Newsletters packed with useful information, fun activities and expert advice. Download ou

Looking for ways to keep children entertained this summer without spending a fortune? Across Dorset there are plenty of free and low-cost activities that encourage children to stay active, explore outdoors and enjoy quality family time together. At Total Children's Therapy, we know that children thrive when they are active, curious and engaged. Whether you're looking for free days out around Dorset or simple activities to enjoy at home, there are plenty of ways to keep childr

We are excited to introduce Special Yoga, a new service supporting children’s wellbeing, regulation and development at TCT. It is common knowledge that yoga is great for adults. But is yoga only for adults? No! At TCT we are lucky to now have a dedicated yoga teacher, Eve Mansfield, to run a specialist children's yoga service. Special Yoga is a therapeutic approach that integrates yoga, breathwork and mindfulness to support children’s sensory regulation, emotional wellbeing a

The summer holidays are almost here. Six weeks of longer days, looser routines and, if we're lucky, plenty of time spent outdoors. As an Occupational Therapist, I believe one of the most powerful sensory tools available to children is something wonderfully simple: the outdoors. Nature provides an extraordinary sensory environment. It's varied, unpredictable and rich in experiences that support children's development and wellbeing. The uneven ground beneath our feet challenges

As parents, it's easy to notice when a child forgets their homework, struggles to get started on a task or becomes overwhelmed when plans suddenly change. What can be harder to see are the underlying skills that make these everyday activities possible. These skills are known as executive functioning. Executive functioning refers to a group of mental processes that help us plan, organise, manage our time, regulate our emotions and adapt when things don't go to plan. Think of e

As parents, it’s natural to notice how your child is growing, learning and developing over time. Every child develops at their own pace, but sometimes you may begin to wonder if your child is finding certain areas more challenging than their peers. You might hear professionals use the term Global Developmental Delay (GDD) , but what does this actually mean, and when might it be used? In this blog, we explain what GDD is, how it is identified, and what support may be available

At Total Children’s Therapy (TCT), we are always mindful of the wider family picture. While we keep each child or young person at the centre of our work, we also recognise that siblings and family members can sometimes take on additional responsibilities - particularly young carers. What is a Young Carer? The definition of a young carer can vary slightly, but according to the NSPCC : "A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who takes on responsibilities that would usuall

Music is something most of us encounter every day. Whether it’s a favourite song on the radio, a lullaby sung to a baby, or the rhythm of clapping along at a celebration, music seems to be woven naturally into human life. But have you ever wondered why music is so powerful , and why it can be such an effective therapeutic tool? Recently, I have been listening to a podcast and reading the book This Is Your Brain on Music by psychologist and musician Daniel Levitin, which expl

In our latest blog, Educational Psychologist Dr Vicky Mullan shares a gentle reflection on “glimmers” – the small, everyday moments that help our nervous systems feel calm and safe. Take a few minutes to read this thoughtful piece and see what glimmers you notice today ⭐ We often talk about triggers, the moments, places or memories that spark anxiety and set our nervous system on edge. But there is another side to that same coin. Psychologist Deb Dana introduced the idea of “

February half term has a habit of creeping up on us! If you’re already wondering how to keep children busy, active and happy without defaulting to screens, you’re not alone. At Total Children’s Therapy (TCT), we’re passionate about supporting children’s physical, emotional and social development in everyday life. School holidays are a brilliant opportunity to keep little bodies moving, build confidence and enjoy quality family time – all without spending a fortune. Below are

The Total Children's Therapy team got together to send wishes of warmth, joy and peace this festive season to all our families. You can find fun Christmas activities, interesting links, jokes and much more using the links below : A Christmas Action Poem Winter 2024 Christmas Newsletter May you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas that is full of making happy memories. ✨

At Total Children’s Therapy, we’re passionate about helping every child reach their full potential — whatever their goals may be. That’s why we’re absolutely delighted to announce our support for an inspiring new local initiative: One Step Beyond, Bournemouth’s brand-new frame running club. What is Frame Running? Frame running is an adapted sport that opens up the joy and freedom of running to people with mobility impairments. Using a specially designed three-wheeled frame (w

This September marks The Sleep Charity’s annual Sleeptember campaign – a whole month dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of...

I have always been good at anagrams, ever since I was young girl. I usually just have to have a few moments looking at a jumble of...

The start of a new academic year is a milestone that brings excitement, fresh opportunities, and, for some children, a fair amount of...