Therapy Foundations For Education

Therapy Foundations For Education We are an independent service combining occupational therapy and education for children with special educational needs.

We specialise in sensory integration and work with children on the autistic spectrum, children with dyspraxia and DCD. About Us

Therapy Foundations is a service that provides occupational therapy and educational support to enable children to become more confident and and successful with skills they need to help them play better, perform better at home and at school and to communicate

and develop social skills. We look at children’s motor skills, sensory development , thinking and reasoning skills, self regulation and social skills . The primary aim is to identify ,where possible, the causes of the child’s difficulty in order to help parents and other professionals understand the needs of the child and to intervene with an appropriate programme that will relate directly to the area in which the child is having problems. An evidence based approach to assessment and treatment is used to ensure that positive change is occurring .On going communication with parents (who are always present during assessment) and teachers is always welcomed and encouraged. The child-focused approach begins with an initial pre assessment questionnaire and prior to assessment full discussion takes place with the therapist (and if requested the teacher ) to ensure parents concerns and issues are addressed. Assessment takes the form of skill based standardised and non standardised assessment, criteria based assessment and clinicial observation assessment. Sensory integration assessment is undertaken by a SIPT Certified practitioner . The assessment is based on our BUILDING BLOCKS model of practice. The information is then written up for parents to understand better the findings of the assessment and the difficulties highlighted. Information in the form of customised handouts and advice sheets are then given to parents. At this point consultation will take place with the therapist and teacher (if requested ) who will agree intervention against specific measurable goals and agreed outcomes. Intervention is guided by exsisting and current evidence. We develop skills and strategies which relate directly to the presenting difficulty and the acquisition of necessary foundation skills to support desired outcomes. Specialist interventions include:

• Sensory Integration Therapy
• Greenspan Floor time Intervention
• Motor development and co ordination programme
• Listening Programme

30/05/2026

The answer might surprise you 🤔

Every autumn, Northern Ireland families feel the weight of a decision that can feel anything but optional

The SEAG process (formerly the 11+) has been part of our education system for generations

But here's something many parents don't realise:
The SEAG exam is not compulsory
No child in Northern Ireland is legally required to sit it

So what is it? The SEAG (Standardised Entry Assessment Group) exam is a selection test used by grammar schools to rank applicants.

It's administered independently by the Grammar schools themselves, not the Department of Education

Whether your child sits it is entirely your choice as a parent

Questions worth asking before you decide:
- Does your child want to go to a grammar school? Their voice matters! A child pushed into a process they're resistant to will carry that stress into the exam room

- Are grammar schools the only option you'd consider? Northern Ireland has many excellent non-grammar schools that offer strong academic pathways, A-Levels, and university routes

- What is your child's wellbeing like right now? For children already experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem or emotional difficulties, the pressure of SEAG can be significantly harmful

- Is the decision being made for your child or by your child? There's a difference between informed family decision-making and a child absorbing a parent's spoken or unspoken expectation

"The question isn't just 'can my child pass the SEAG?' It's 'should my child sit it at all and what does that choice mean for them?''

Whatever you decide it should be an informed choice, made with your child's whole wellbeing in mind, not just their academic ability. There is no wrong answer. There is only the right answer for your family.

29/05/2026

P6 is more than just another school year!

Primary 6 in Northern Ireland marks the start of one of the biggest transitions in your child's life

The SEAG process

Talk of grammar schools, friendships shifting, pressure building

It can feel overwhelming for children and parents alike

At this stage children aren't just preparing academically

They're beginning to ask big questions about who they are, what they're good at and where they fit in

That's a lot for a 9 or 10-year-old to carry

Therapeutic support during P6 isn't about fixing something broken. It's about giving your child a safe, supported space to process those feelings so they can approach whatever comes next with confidence and calm

Every child deserves to feel ready, not just academically but emotionally

Is your P6 child showing signs of stress or anxiety about what's ahead? Drop a comment or send a message We'd love to help 💬

29/05/2026

The SEAG exam puts a lot of pressure on young shoulders

Here's what that can look like 🌿

For many families across Northern Ireland the SEAG process feels like the first major test

Not just academically but emotionally

Children as young as 10 are navigating preparation pressure, family expectations and fear of failure all at once

Some children go quiet
Some become clingy or irritable
Some lose sleep or refuse to eat
Others work themselves into exhaustion trying to meet the mark they think everyone expects

Therapeutic support can help your child develop the emotional tools to manage exam stress

Not just for the SEAG but for every challenge that follows

Breathing, grounding techniques, building self-worth beyond results and learning that their value isn't tied to a grade

"A child who feels emotionally safe will always perform better than one who is simply well-drilled"

Is your child struggling or experienced changes in mood with exam anxiety?

You're not alone and there is support available. Message us to find out more 💚

25/05/2026

Whether your child has been referred by school, a GP or you've noticed something yourself

Reaching out is the first step and you don't need all the answers to do it

We offer an initial 15 minute consultation so we can talk through what your child needs and whether we'd be a good fit

We currently have availability for new clients aged 7 and above

If you're a parent, carer or professional looking for therapeutic support for a child or young person in Northern Ireland, we’d love to hear from you 💜

Drop a comment, send a DM or get in touch using the link below. A conversation costs nothing and it might be the most important one you have this year


24/05/2026

Swings, games and movement aren't extras

They're clinically purposeful

They activate the vestibular system, support sensory integration and help regulate the nervous system in ways that words simply can't reach

24/05/2026

An integrative approach not one size fits all

Every child is different

I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches including somatic therapy, sensorimotor and talk based methods

Combined together in a way that fits the individual child, not a rigid model

Sessions are led by the child's pace, needs and natural way of engaging with the world

Grounded in neurological development. I work from an understanding of how the developing brain processes stress, trauma and emotion

Healing happens from the bottom up, through the body and nervous system first, before cognitive insight can take hold

This informs everything about how I structure sessions


22/05/2026

Children and young people experience the world differently to adults

Their nervous systems are still developing, their emotions are big and their ability to make sense of it all is still growing

That's not a problem, it's just how brains work

But it means therapy needs to work that way too

We currently have availability for new clients aged 7 and above, offering therapeutic support tailored to each child's unique needs, strengths and stage of development

Drop a message for more information

21/05/2026

💜 Therapy for children & young people that works with how their brain actually develops 🧠

Integrative therapeutic support grounded in neurodevelopmental understanding because children don't heal by talking alone

Address

39 Regents Wood
Craigavon
BT670RX

Telephone

078 49748047

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Therapy Foundations For Education posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Therapy Foundations For Education:

Shortcuts

Share