How do i get help from occupational therapy?

tiddleyboo
tiddleyboo Member Posts: 4
edited 3. Apr 2009, 06:20 in Chat to our Helpline Team archive
Hi!
My daughter has juvenile arthritis and we were wondering how we get help from occupational therapy we are finding more and more that we end up carrying her around the house particularly first thing in the morning and washing her can be difficult, i'm also getting a bad back as she's heavy now she's nearly 4!

Her physiotherapist has not offered this kind of support for her and keeps saying that our daughter is just lazy and not having a flare up, even though her knee is swollen and she complains of pain, the physio keeps putting it down to hypermobility. I think she doesn't offer any other help/support on the basis that she doesn't think it's arthritis flaring up. Is she qualified to make this judgement?
thanks for any comms xxx

Comments

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,982
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    tiddleyboo wrote:
    Hi!
    My daughter has juvenile arthritis and we were wondering how we get help from occupational therapy we are finding more and more that we end up carrying her around the house particularly first thing in the morning and washing her can be difficult, i'm also getting a bad back as she's heavy now she's nearly 4!

    Her physiotherapist has not offered this kind of support for her and keeps saying that our daughter is just lazy and not having a flare up, even though her knee is swollen and she complains of pain, the physio keeps putting it down to hypermobility. I think she doesn't offer any other help/support on the basis that she doesn't think it's arthritis flaring up. Is she qualified to make this judgement?
    thanks for any comms xxx


    Thank you for your enquiry on the forum. It sounds as if you are not receiving much support at the moment and things are understandably difficult and I would encourage you to contact us on our helpline for some information and support. We have a dedicated line for children and young people and their families on 0808 808 2000 (10-4 weekdays). In answer to your question you can ask to be referred to an occupational therapist through your GP, rheumatology department or social services department.

    You have not mentioned whether your daughter is under the care of a paediatric rheumatologist as they have specialist knowledge and experience of dealing with all aspects of arthritis in children. If you feel that your physiotherapist is being unsympathetic then you can ask to see another physiotherapist. If you follow the link www.ccaa.org.uk this will take you to the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association’s webpage that will be able to give you lots of information that may help. Also if you email us with your contact details on Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk we can post you some information or let us have your details when you call us.

    I hope this information is helpful.

    Best Wishes
    Dawn

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