The Early Years Therapy team cares for children aged 0-5
years with a physical disability, many of whom are also blind or deaf. Children learn about the world around them through play. Therapy aims to improve gross and fine motor function and will have best effect when it becomes part of every day life and playtime rather than being a set of exercises which are only done in clinic or when the physio visits. Families can  learn a lot about their child’s needs through use of specialist toys that are more appropriate to the child’s level of
cognition, communication and physical ability, e.g. a simple interactive touch toy gives children a way to play, learn, relax and enjoy their therapy, no matter how profound their difficulties. The kit our team currently has access to is limited – there have been so many developments in the resources available and we haven’t had the funding to keep pace. We want to update our kit with sensory equipment and toys for families to try out in therapy sessions to gain the confidence to carry on at home.