Claire Lennon
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists help people overcome any limitations and live independently by improving their skills for living.  An Occupational Therapy assessment and input may be indicated in ARFID assessment and treatment if an individual is struggling with sensory processing difficulties or physical impairments which impact on their oral intake. For example, and Occupational Therapist may help individuals develop appropriate feeding skills using environmental adaptations, calming or alerting of sensory systems and improving motor skills required for eating, including posture stability and fine motor skills. They may also consider whole-body sensory inputs for nervous system organisation and regulation. For example, if an individual is experiencing high levels of arousal and activation in the stress system in response to sensory information, this can lead to decreased appetite, difficulties regulating and making changes, as well as difficulties with sitting and focusing attention.  
About Claire
Claire is a dual qualified Occupational Therapist and Systemic Family Practitioner. She has over 15 years of experience of working with children, young people and adults with mental health challenges, neurodiverse needs, learning disabilities and sensory processing difficulties.
Claire has a passion for helping people to understand how they process their sensory world both externally and internally, particularly in relation to activities of daily living, such as food preparation and eating. She works with clients to understand the relationship they have with food from a sensory and motor perspective and why it might be difficult to eat. She supports clients to work on the underlying sensory and motor difficulties that might be contributing to a negative relationship with food.
Claire is trained in Ayres Sensory integration (Level 1) and has worked for a variety of reputable NHS Trusts, including Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
Claire offers private consultations, sensory assessments, occupational therapy assessments and therapeutic intervention on a one-to-one basis or with a child and their parent(s). She places great value on engaging with social systems around the client where necessary and is happy to provide advice/liaison where appropriate to schools, families and workplaces.