Our group activities

 

Our department organises group activities for children and teenagers attending CRC services. These groups run for a block of weeks and they help children and teenagers to develop important skills such as how to

 

  • Take turns
  • Share
  • Make new friends
  • Use eyes and hands together
  • Have fun with others

 

Family involvement

Getting ready for school

Activity group

Independence group

Power mobility group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family involvement

Parents and families play an important role in occupational therapy groups. Families get the chance to learn techniques that can be used at home. Please ask us questions if you are unsure how we can help.

Getting ready for school

Starting school for the first time can be exciting and overwhelming. This summer group is for children aged 4 to 5 years who are starting in their local schools in September. We focus on developing the skills needed for school, including

 

  • Using both hands to do things
  • Pre-writing skills
  • Motor planning skills
  • Good sitting position
  • Attention and listening

 

We also look at group skills like

 

  • Taking turns
  • Participation
  • Sharing
  • Being kind to each other

 

Our occupational therapists can also visit a pre-school or school and meet with teachers.

 

Activity group

Our activity group is for children from 4 to 6 years, and from 6 to 9 years. The children have fun as they

 

  • Make things
  • Take part in activities
  • Meet new friends

 

We involve families and parents and we set goals for each child in the group. Parents attend a meeting at the beginning to learn what we do. At the end of six weeks, we set further goals for home, school and in the community.

Independence group

Our independence group is for children from 11 to 15 years. Children attend for six weeks with other children of the same age. We invite parents or carers to set goals at the beginning of the group. We aim to develop independence skills such as

 

  • Handling money
  • Shopping
  • Road safety
  • Public transport
  • Making a snack
  • Meeting new friends

 

We meet with families to discuss the goals of the group. Together, we organise trips on the Dart or to the shops so that the children can practice independence skills and achieve their goals.

Power mobility group

This group is run during the summer with the ATSS department (hyperlink to relevant webpage). It is usually very successful and great fun. It is suitable for children who

 

  • Use a powered wheelchair
  • Attend CRC School (hyperlink to relevant webpage) or Scoil Mochua (hyperlink to relevant webpage)

 

We have two levels: beginner and intermediate. Parents or carers attend the group to learn about powered mobility and to provide support at home. The focus is on fun and movement. Activities include

 

  • Powered wheelchair races
  • Parachute games
  • Skittles
  • Relays
  • Moving to music

 

The intermediate group moves on to learn

 

  • Moving about in the community
  • Negotiating kerbs and ramps
  • Crossing the road
  • Travelling on public transport

Fun activities include going to Croke Park or the Aviva stadium.

REFERRALS

LINKS