Occupational Therapists in Cardiff

Occupational therapists help children with everyday skills — handwriting, getting dressed, managing sensory overload, and building coordination. Browse 2 providers in Cardiff, Wales.

Typical cost: £60 – £100 per sessionNHS wait: 6 – 18 monthsSession: 45 – 60 minutes

About occupational therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) help children develop the practical skills they need for everyday life and school. If your child struggles with handwriting, finds it hard to sit still, is oversensitive to textures or sounds, or has difficulty with tasks like getting dressed or using cutlery, an OT can help identify why and put strategies in place.

Common signs that an OT assessment might help include messy or laboured handwriting, difficulty with buttons and zips, avoiding certain textures or foods, poor balance or coordination, trouble sitting still in class, or meltdowns triggered by sensory overload. If your child has a diagnosis of dyspraxia, autism, or sensory processing disorder, OT is often a core part of their support.

SEND services in Cardiff

In Wales, the SEND system operates under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, which replaced the older SEN framework. Children with additional learning needs (ALN) receive Individual Development Plans (IDPs) instead of EHCPs. Cardiff Council's ALN team supports families through this process.

Typical costs

Private OT assessments range from £300 to £600, with follow-up sessions around £60 to £100 per hour. NHS OT provision is free but can have very long waits, and some areas only offer group sessions. A private assessment can be used to support EHCP applications.