Michele Jones, Care/Occupational Therapist

Professional Experience

Since qualifying as an OT in 2006, my career has been focused on paediatric work and I have worked in a number of locations including schools and in children’s homes. I am profoundly Deaf and use a cochlear implant and use a combination of BSL(British Sign Language) and spoken English to communicate, and I am (in some situations and for short periods) able to lip read.

Since 2006, I have worked with children and young adults who are born or become deaf due to a medical illness, who use a variety of hearing aids, cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids. I have also gained significant experience working clinically with dual sensory impairments along with other physical needs following brain injury and associated conditions including cerebral palsy and CHARGE syndrome. In addition, to this many of the children on my case load have had other additional needs such as visual impairments, Down's syndrome, autism, Asperger’s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I am familiar with different types of equipment (including wheelchairs and specialist seating) along with the extensive care requirements for moderate and severely disabled children and young people.

I currently work in two schools, carrying out assessments for EHCP’s, meeting the needs of the EHCP, carrying out sensory profiles, training staff, moving and handling, and assessing potential student for placements in school and in the residential setting.

A large proportion of my work as a paediatric OT has involved supporting families to manage the additional needs of their children through liaising with statutory services and charities. My previous work in an integrated NHS and Social Services team provided me with the opportunity to assess the needs of children and young people and their families and make recommendations for care packages, equipment provision and home adaptations. Those I assessed had a very broad range of conditions including Downs Syndrome, autism, developmental delay and visual impairment.

Professional Development

I have completed further training in a variety of areas including postural management, handwriting and Chailey approach to postural management. My postgraduate training has given me a long-term aim to complete an MA focussing on Sensory Integration for Deaf children. I also maintain my professional development and HCPC standards by attending relevant training.