Open Arms Support Services Ltd

Open Arms Support Services Ltd At Open Arms, our occupational therapists specialise in working with children and adults.

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Summer DayA successful day out isn't always about doing more.Sometimes it's about planning f...
25/07/2026

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Summer Day

A successful day out isn't always about doing more.

Sometimes it's about planning for what your child needs between activities.

Think about including:

☀ Quiet breaks throughout the day

🧃 Regular drinks and familiar snacks

🎧 Ear defenders for noisy environments

🌳 Time in calm outdoor spaces

💙 Opportunities to move, climb or swing

Children often regulate best when their sensory needs are recognised, not ignored.

Small adjustments can make a big difference.

What helps your child recharge during a busy day out?

A trip is meant to be exciting, memorable and fun.But for some children, the thought of going somewhere new can also fee...
18/07/2026

A trip is meant to be exciting, memorable and fun.

But for some children, the thought of going somewhere new can also feel overwhelming.

When adults hear “We’re going on a trip!”, we often think about the destination.

Children may be thinking about everything that happens before they get there.

Questions like:

“Where will I sit?”

“What will happen when we arrive?”

“What if I can’t find the toilet?”

“What if the food is different?”

“What if it is too noisy?”

“What if I need help and I don’t know who to ask?”

For children who thrive on routine and predictability, unfamiliar experiences can bring lots of uncertainty.

Whether it is a school trip, family day out, holiday, visit to a new place or a community activity, a little preparation can make a big difference.

Here are some ways to help reduce anxiety before a trip:

✔ Look at photos of the place you are visiting together.

✔ Talk through what the day might look like, step by step.

✔ Use a simple visual schedule or countdown if helpful.

✔ Let your child be involved in planning and packing.

✔ Discuss what they can do if they feel worried or need support.

✔ Take familiar items that help them feel comfortable.

The goal is not to remove every unknown.

It is to help children feel confident enough to manage new experiences.

When children know what to expect, they can spend less energy worrying about what might happen and more energy enjoying the moment.

What strategies have helped your child feel more comfortable when visiting somewhere new?

Most people assume children are counting down the days to summer with excitement.And many are.But for some children, the...
11/07/2026

Most people assume children are counting down the days to summer with excitement.

And many are.

But for some children, the weeks leading up to the holidays can be surprisingly difficult.

As the end of term approaches, school routines often start to change.

There might be sports days, school trips, assemblies, transition activities, different teachers covering lessons, conversations about next year, and lots of excitement buzzing around the classroom.

To adults, these can feel like positive events.

To some children, they can feel like a series of unexpected changes arriving all at once.

You may notice:

• More emotional outbursts at home

• Increased worries or repetitive questions

• Changes in sleep

• Difficulty concentrating

• Becoming more clingy than usual

• Increased sensory sensitivities

These behaviours are often a child's way of communicating that something feels uncertain.

One simple strategy that can help is creating a visual countdown.

Rather than simply counting down to the holidays, talk through what will happen between now and then.

For example:

✔ Sports Day on Wednesday

✔ School Trip next week

✔ Last PE lesson

✔ Last day with teacher

✔ First day of holidays

When children can see what is coming, uncertainty becomes a little more manageable.

If your child seems more emotional than usual at the moment, it may not be about what is happening today.

It may be about all the changes they know are coming tomorrow.

What signs do you notice when your child is preparing for a big change?

☀️ The heatwave is here, temperatures are set to rise this week. For some children, staying cool isn't as simple as taki...
25/06/2026

☀️ The heatwave is here, temperatures are set to rise this week.
For some children, staying cool isn't as simple as taking off a jumper.

Many children experience temperature differently. Some may struggle to recognise when they're becoming overheated, while others may find certain clothing, sunscreen, fans, or water activities overwhelming from a sensory perspective.

That's why staying cool often requires more than just following general advice.

A few sensory-friendly ideas to try:

💧 Offer drinks little and often throughout the day

🧊 Try frozen fruit, ice lollies, or chilled snacks

👕 Choose lightweight, comfortable clothing that your child already enjoys wearing

🏠 Create a cool, predictable space at home where they can regulate comfortably

🌳 Plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day

Most importantly, remember that what works for one child may not work for another.

Every child experiences the world differently, and supporting their individual sensory needs can make hot weather much more manageable.

Remember, if you’re worried about the heat or how you’re feeling, don't hesitate to contact a healthcare professional and visit NHS for more advice. We hope your family can enjoy the sunshine 🏖️😎⛱☀️

What helps your child stay comfortable during warm weather?
Share your best tips for dealing with the heat in the comments below 👇

You may already be using some of the ones we've listed, but you might find something new that’ll work for you and your family.

Not sure if OT is right for your child? You're not alone and asking the question is already a really important step. 💙He...
20/06/2026

Not sure if OT is right for your child? You're not alone and asking the question is already a really important step. 💙

Here are 5 everyday signs that occupational therapy could help:

1️⃣ They struggle with pencil grip, using scissors, or getting their letters to sit on the line and it causes real frustration.

2️⃣ Mealtimes regularly end in meltdowns. Certain textures, smells, or the feel of cutlery make eating genuinely distressing.

3️⃣ Getting dressed is a battle every single morning: buttons, laces, labels, the "wrong" socks.

4️⃣ They seem clumsier than other children their age, bumping into things, dropping objects, tripping.

5️⃣ Big emotions feel impossible to manage, especially around transitions, changes in plan, or unexpected sensory input.

These aren't signs of bad behaviour or bad parenting. They're signs that a child may be working extra hard just to get through the day and that with the right support, things can genuinely get easier.

At Open Arms Support Services, we offer free initial consultations so you can ask questions, share your concerns, and find out if OT is the right next step. No referral needed.

Drop a 👍 if any of these resonated. And share this with a parent who's been quietly wondering the same thing.

📩 DM us or visit the link in our bio


The last few weeks of term can feel like the longest especially if you have a child with additional needs. Routines star...
17/06/2026

The last few weeks of term can feel like the longest especially if you have a child with additional needs.

Routines start to shift. The classroom buzz changes. And for many of our children, that uncertainty is genuinely hard to manage.

Here are some tips from our OTs at Open Arms Support Services Ltd to help make the transition into summer a little easier:

✅ Start talking about the change now — not on the last day. Use simple, concrete language: "5 more school days, then summer starts."

✅ Build a visual countdown together. A paper chain they can tear off each morning works beautifully.

✅ Introduce a loose summer structure before term ends so it doesn't feel like a cliff edge.

✅ Celebrate what your child achieved this year — write it down, draw it, make it visible.

✅ Prepare for the sensory changes. Quieter, less structured days can feel just as dysregulating as busy ones.

The end of term isn't just a finish line.

For many children with additional needs, it's a big transition. A little preparation, a lot of patience, and celebrating every win can make all the difference.

You've made it through another school year. That's no small thing, for your child, and for you.

📩 Thinking about OT support over the summer? Send us a message at [email protected]

Weekend mode: activated 🎉No school bag. No uniform. No rush.Just your incredible child, exploring the world in their own...
13/06/2026

Weekend mode: activated 🎉
No school bag. No uniform. No rush.
Just your incredible child, exploring the world in their own way, at their own pace.
Take a moment to pause and enjoy the small, meaningful mome

04/06/2026

When worries start to feel bigger than the moment, it can help children to slow things down.

🤍 5 Finger Breathing is a simple strategy that can support children with focus, calm, and emotional regulation.

Trace up each finger as you breathe in, and down as you breathe out.

By the time you’ve reached the end of your hand, you’ve taken five slow, regulated breaths.

A helpful tool for children navigating exam nerves, busy minds, big feelings, or any day that feels a little overwhelming.

✨ Trace. Breathe. Reset.

Because sometimes, the simplest strategies can help children feel more in control of the moment. 💛

ParentSupport Neurodiversity WellbeingTools ExamStress

The night before an exam isn’t really about revision.It’s about how a child is feeling.By that point, most of the learni...
30/05/2026

The night before an exam isn’t really about revision.

It’s about how a child is feeling.

By that point, most of the learning has already happened.
What’s left is confidence… or anxiety.

And often, the instinct is to squeeze in more.
More reading. More reminders. More “just in case”.

But sometimes, what helps more is the opposite.

A calm evening.
A familiar routine.
A sense that it’s okay to pause.

Because sleep, rest, and emotional regulation
play a bigger role than we often give them credit for.

A tired, overwhelmed mind struggles to access what it already knows.

A calmer one has a much better chance.

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer
is not more preparation…
but more space.

💬 What do your evenings look like before exam days?

24/05/2026

Sometimes worries feel much bigger when they stay stuck inside our heads.

For children experiencing exam anxiety, even small worries can grow louder and louder when they are carried around all day.

One simple strategy that can help is creating a “worry postbox”.

✨ Encourage your child to write or draw their worries on a piece of paper
✨ Then post them away into a box, drawer, jar, or decorated shoebox

This helps children externalise their worries instead of holding everything internally.

It does not make the worry disappear instantly.
But it can help make the feeling feel more manageable.

Sometimes children need support to organise their thoughts before they can regulate their emotions.

🤍 Small strategies can create big feelings of safety.

Have you ever tried something similar with your child?

Address

1a Silver Road
Norwich
NR34TX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441603767498

Website

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