Vigere Occupational Therapy Logo

Our passion is to support children and young adults to thrive, flourish and be actively engaged in life

Providing specialist occupational therapy services throughout the southwest using a team based approach

Find Out More
rcot member
hpc registered logo
dbs checked logo

Who We See

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Dyspraxia & Developmental Coordination Disorder
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Autistic spectrum conditions (ASD)
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Neurodevelopmental conditions
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Acquired brain injury
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Sensory processing difficulties
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Behaviours that challenge
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Learning Disabilities
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Hypermobility/Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
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Individuals who have had Adverse Childhood Experiences

What We Provide

Initial consultation

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Full Occupational Therapy assessment and recommendations

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Development of specialist support programs

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Close working with the multi-disciplinary team

Direct therapeutic intervention at home or school

Application of Ayres Sensory Integration Theory

Contribution and Reports for Educational Health Care Plans

Advice on environmental adaptations

Bespoke training and guidance to school/care teams/ families

Consultation to school through termly contracts

Formal reports

What We Do

Play

Learning through fun

Self-directed approach

Parent and child sessions

Fine Motor Skills

Handwriting/ scissor skills/keyboarding

Whole Body Coordination

Ayres Sensory Integration

Meaningful Functional Activities

Nature Approach

Emotional Regulation

A STRENGTHS BASED APPROACH TO AUTISIM

Who We Are

Rosie Gibbons

Rosie Gibbons

PG Dip OT, BSc, MSc, RCOT, HCPC, Accredited Sensory Integration Practitioner

I have over 14 years’ experience in the field of paediatrics, and am passionate about supporting children, young adults and their families to engage and thrive in everyday life. Having a sibling with additional needs has given me an intrinsic understanding of the experiences and challenges that families go thorough throughout life.

I provide assessment and treatment for children and young adults with a range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, global developmental delay, dyspraxia, cerebral palsy, ADHD and Acquired Brain Injury. I have a special interest in Sensory Integration (ASI), and have qualified as an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner.

In addition to co-running Vigere OT Cornwall, I work closely with Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and work as a Case Manager, providing specialist support to adults and children with Acquired Brain Injury and Autism

For me, living and working in Cornwall is all about harnessing our great outdoors. Where possible, I use nature and whole-body movement as part of the therapeutic process.

Louise Thrower

BSc (Hons), RCOT, HCPC, Accredited Sensory Integration Practitioner

I am an experienced Children’s Occupational Therapist with a holistic, family centred approach. Motivated to find creative ways to support children to learn, play and interact with their environment, I have a specialist interest in early intervention, sensory development and the mother infant bond.

Since qualifying almost 10 years ago I have developed specialist knowledge and expertise in a range of paediatric areas including: child development, trauma, Acquired Brain Injury, neurodevelopmental conditions, developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia), learning disabilities and mental health. I am an Accredited Sensory Integration Practitioner (ASI) and apply principles of Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI) when understanding the needs of a child or young person.

In addition to co running Vigere OT Cornwall, I continue to work as a specialist occupational therapist within the NHS, supporting children with moderate to severe learning disabilities and mental health concerns within Cornwall. In the past three years I have provided a wide variety of training and workshops, aswell as guest lecturing for Exeter University.

Having worked extensively with children and young adults with a wide range of physical, emotional and learning needs, I have a specialist interest in understanding how a child/young person has and is experiencing the world, as only then can we begin to help them grow and feel safe within it.

Louise Thrower

Louise Thrower

BSc (Hons), RCOT, HCPC, Accredited Sensory Integration Practitioner

I am an experienced Children’s Occupational Therapist with a holistic, family centred approach. Motivated to find creative ways to support children to learn, play and interact with their environment, I have a specialist interest in early intervention, sensory development and the mother infant bond.

Since qualifying almost 10 years ago I have developed specialist knowledge and expertise in a range of paediatric areas including: child development, trauma, Acquired Brain Injury, neurodevelopmental conditions, developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia), learning disabilities and mental health. I am an Accredited Sensory Integration Practitioner (ASI) and apply principles of Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI) when understanding the needs of a child or young person.

In addition to co running Vigere OT Cornwall, I continue to work as a specialist occupational therapist within the NHS, supporting children with moderate to severe learning disabilities and mental health concerns within Cornwall. I regularly provide training and workshops aswell as guest lecturing for Exeter University.

Having worked extensively with children and young adults with a wide range of physical, emotional and learning needs, I have a specialist interest in understanding how a child has and is experiencing the world, as only then can we begin to help them grow and feel safe within it.

Meet The Associates

“We believe in the importance of working closely as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes for our families. Vigere Occupational Therapy uses an associate model approach, with close links to a medical practitioner and local specialist professionals.”
Cornwall Autism is run by Speech and Language Therapist, Oni Law, and Occupational Therapist, Mary Hosken and offers private autism assessments for children and young people in Cornwall. Both Oni and Mary have extensive experience of autism assessment in the NHS, and still work in the local ASDAT and Neurodevlopmental Assessment Teams; they are also passionate about being able to offer families another choice for pursuing a diagnostic assessment. Find out more about them on their website:
www.cornwallautism.com
or email them on:
hello@cornwallautism.com

Helen Gaskin

Founder of Mindfit Cornwall

www.mindfitcornwall.co.uk/schoolpackages

Kate Jane Neal

Local Artist and Emotional Intelligence in Schools Trainer

www.katejaneneal.com/schools

What They Say About Vigere OT

Parent

“Louise assessed my 9 year old son for DCD. From start to finish I found her approach professional but friendly. She’s a parent herself so really understands from the parent perspective. My son actually really enjoyed the assessment itself as she’s quite fun and great with children. For me I’ve just been super impressed with her communication, both with me and the school. She’s really helped me understand the problems my son is facing but in a really positive way. Her written report is extremely thorough and recommendations clear and achievable. School have said that they have found her input invaluable to. I feel like she has made a real difference to my son’s life by simply helping those around him to understand how is brain and body is functioning. I can’t recommend her enough.”

Parent

“Rosie has a real warmth and ability to connect with people, especially parent to parent. I am touched by her passion to help people. She is genuine, trustworthy and a great communicator, who works to time frames set, providing comprehensive reports. Rosie displays a extensive knowledge of SEN, Acquired Brain Injury and Sensory challenges, enabling her to provide valuable support – she is making a massive difference in my family’s lives currently. Sincere thanks Rosie”

Parent

“Louise worked with my son for 7 months, supporting his sensory processing difficulties. In that time I saw a significant difference in my son’s behavior. He is now able to use language rather than physical violence to explain how he is feeling and is starting to independently use strategies to bring him to a normal state.

Louise was happy to meet at extra times to discuss and coach me when I was in the initial stages of understanding what was going on. Louise helped me develop a wide range of strategies to support my son in many different circumstances.

My son developed a strong relationship with Louise where he felt confident to try new things and express himself within her sessions.

Louise used assessments at the beginning and throughout the therapy to show progression and plan next steps. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Louise.”

Parent

Rosie was critical in assisting the early diagnosis of my daughter with dyspraxia and sensory integration difficulties when she was 6 years old.

Early diagnosis of girls is incredibly difficult to achieve but with Rosie’s expert testing and guidance we achieved an expert analysis of my daughter’s unique skill base and what challenges needed addressing.

To have an occupational therapist that has inspired my child to embrace her dyspraxia and celebrate her unique skill set has been amazing. Rosie’s dedication has seen my daughter flourish in the classroom. She has grown in confidence and Rosie attends meetings to help ensure her teachers are up to date on her learning needs. Dyspraxia is something many people have limited knowledge of and having an advocate like Rosie is important.

An early diagnosis and support plan undertaken by Rosie has been critical to her development and growth. Without that intervention and commitment from Rosie, my child would not have developed to the standard she is today.

As a mum of a girl with dyspraxia an early diagnosis has been a god send. Rosie has been absolutely critical to ensuring my daughter’s development and confidence.

Rosie offers a rare combination of expertise and kindness. She identifies a child’s needs and works with them to encourage them to have fun while doing their OT, to embrace it and want to do it more and more. Her support to parents and school cannot be overstated.

If your child needs OT support – Rosie is the person you need to help. It will make the journey they have and you have supported, educational and therapeutic.

Email Us

info@vigereotcornwall.com
Rosie Gibbons PG Dip OT, BSc, MSc
Lou Thrower BSc(Hons)