BSC(Hons) Occupational Therapy

Virginia completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at Oxford Brookes University in England. She stayed in Oxfordshire after qualifying and specialised in Paediatrics as part of the Child Development Team at the Hugh Ellis Paediatric Assessment Centre where children across the spectrum of special needs are comprehensively observed and assessed weekly. She also has experience in a special needs pre-school setting, working with children with complex physical disabilities, acquired brain injury in childhood and palliative care associated with chronic conditions.

Virginia grew up in Hong Kong and attended primary and secondary school here before relocating to the UK for university. She recently moved here with her family in 2009 after 18 months volunteering in Kenya where she taught life skills to primary school aged children. Virginia also has experience with ABA, Conductive Education, hand therapy and seating assessment. She has advanced training in Sensory Integration, the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum; the ALERT program; and is The Listening Program certified.

Testimonial

We started seeing Virginia  right when we moved to H.K. from Europe. Our 2 year old son, has Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, and has been going to therapy ever since he was born. He has always been scared of therapists, and never really enjoyed  the sessions. It was always a struggle to take him to OT and Physio. When he met Virgina things were totally different. She first made friends with him, without any pressure.  She made sure he trusted her before beginning to work with him.  She patiently observed him for a couple of sessions and gently introduced toys, and exercises. Our son always felt comfortable with her. When he saw SPOT he was thrilled! Finally a beautiful and colourful playground. No white robes, no medical equipment…..just an amazing space filled with great toys, swings, slides, music and loads of  natural light!! 
Our son works so well with Virginia! Just seeing his gorgeous smile after he has accomplished something Virginia has asked him to do, is worth the commute!! The progress is also unbelievable. Sometimes it is the simplest of things; unscrewing bottles, pulling threads in and out of holes, tearing paper, pointing fingers, taking socks off,  puzzles etc. But she knows exactly when and how to introduce each little exercise, and in such creative ways. A child's brain is truly like a sponge, and we have seen it with Virginia's work. It takes just a couple of repetitions, done at the perfect timing, and with the proper aid each time, and it is processed forever! Even actions that in theory, he can't accomplish , due to the complete absence  of the corpus callosum in his brain, he has managed to master. How? Well I guess not even the neurologist know. His brain has found a way around it. With the proper reinforcement his brain has compensated using other pathways.  

As parents of a special needs child, we are the ones who can offer him the opportunity  to receive this extra help so he can overcome his  difficulties before it is too late. It is not always easy to give them this extra help while allowing them to have fun. Accomplishment while having fun and being happy  that is what it is all about and Virginia knows just how to do it. Thank you Virginia