I’m Tina MacArthur, Occupational Therapist
My name is Tina MacArthur and I’ve been an occupational therapist for more than 25 years.
During that time, I’ve helped hundreds of young people overcome challenges and develop skills to improve their life at school, at play and at home.
I know that every child is different, so my therapies are always positive, holistic and client-centred, focusing purely on the areas that are important to you and your child.
If your child is struggling to carry out specific tasks, I provide expert assessment and analysis, then create personalised treatment plans. These always involve plenty of fun exercises, as well as tailor-made strategies to help them achieve their goals.
If you have any concerns about your child, please contact me. I’m always happy to answer any questions about potential treatments and prices.
Background
- I qualified as an occupational therapist in 1992
- Since then I’ve worked in the NHS, helping adults and children with learning disabilities
- I’ve also worked in the area of brain injury rehabilitation
- I have more than 19 years experience working with young people with conditions affecting their ability to participate in everyday activities
- Conditions I help with include Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, Dyspraxia, Developmental Delay, Learning Disability and Cerebral Palsy.
- I carry out assessments, set goals for therapy, plan and carry out intervention in collaboration with the child or young person and their family.
- I also provide advice and strategies to parents and education staff to help them support the child or young person at home or school.
Qualifications
- Dip COT: Glasgow School of Occupational Therapy (1992)
- BSc OT: Conversion of diploma in Occupational Therapy to BSc at Queen Margaret College Edinburgh (1994)
Membership
- British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) BT0206044
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) OT21100
- Sensory Integration Network
- Disclosure Scotland – Protecting Vulnerable Groups
Training
Sensory Integration (completed 1999) – Sensory Integration is “the neurological process that organises sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively within the environment” (Dr Jean Ayres Occupational Therapist, 1972).
Sensory Integration Clinical Observations of Postural and Motor Control (completed 2000) – Using clinical observations and analysis to identify subtle motor difficulties in children.
CO-OP (completed 2010) – Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) is a client-centred, performance and evidence-based problem-solving approach that enables skill acquisition through a process of strategy use and guided discovery.
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder and Dyspraxia – I’ve attended several courses on occupational therapy support for children and young people who have Developmental Co-ordination Disorder or Dyspraxia.
Sensory Processing – I’ve attended a course on sensory processing, learning about how difficulties affect participation in daily tasks. I also learned about strategies that help young people cope when these difficulties impact on their ability to participate in everyday tasks.
Building Skills LEGO®-Based Therapy (completed May 2018) – A social skills programme based on building LEGO® in small groups.
Career history
2019 to present: Self-employed, providing specialist occupational therapy and LEGO®-based therapy individually and in small groups in children’s homes, Spark of Genius residential settings, schools and community settings. Working with education providing bespoke in-service training to staff.
2015 to 2019: Team Lead Occupational Therapist in Community Paediatrics, Specialist Children’s Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, West Centre. I performed a clinical and managerial role.
2007 to 2015: Specialist Occupational Therapist in Community Paediatrics, Specialist Children’s Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Working at Bridgeton Child Development Centre with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, Dyspraxia, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay and Learning Disability.
1998 to 2007: Specialist Occupational Therapist in Community Paediatrics Specialist Children’s Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Working in the Specialist Occupational Therapy Team for children with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder and Dyspraxia at Yorkhill Hospital Glasgow.
1996 to 1998: Senior 2 Occupational Therapist National Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, NHS Lothian, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh.
1992 to 1998: Basic Grade, Senior 2, Acting Senior 1 Occupational Therapist Learning Disabilities, Argyll and Clyde Health Board, Merchiston Hospital, Johnstone.