“At Little Life Development we believe in feeding and nurturing the roots in order for your child and family to flourish” Rebecca Jepson
Hi, I’m Rebecca and I am a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (OT). Let me share a few things about my approach to working with you:
- I look at the whole picture. I take a holistic approach and will always consider physical, cognitive, emotional, social and mental health needs.
- I always say I am the family’s OT, not just the child’s. Our connections with others and the world around us are incredibly important.
- I will always ensure I devote enough time to my clients and provide a thorough service to every family I work with. This means my work with you is not time limited and will always continue whilst there is a clinical need, in collaboration with you.
- I strongly believe in validating a person’s experience; this applies to the child, their caregivers and any professionals working with the child such as their school. When people feel heard, they feel connected. When we feel connected, we feel secure. And when we feel secure we can learn and grow.
- I am a neuro affirming practitioner; I am strengths and rights based and will always affirm a child’s neurophysiological identity. I have lived personal experience of this and so you have the reassurance of knowing what I am saying is not just coming from a text book.
I have worked as a children’s OT since qualifying and have worked with a variety of ages, conditions and neurodivergence including Autism, ADHD, Developmental Trauma, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Rare Genetic Conditions, Developmental Delay, as well as children with no known diagnosis. I have had the privilege to be able to work in the 3rd sector, where collaboration with other health professionals is key, we were not limited by time, assessments were thorough and interventions realistic and functional. This is now a fundamental ethos to my service.
I started out in Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation in 2001, where I became passionate about supporting people to reach their full potential. I worked my way up to a management role and understood the value of meaningful occupations (or activities) to the individual and how people’s lives can be transformed with the right support. This was pivotal to my journey to becoming a qualified OT and going on to complete my Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2011. Before this I had completed a BSc in Psycholinguistics and had worked alongside a Speech and Language Therapist; supporting communication still remains to be one of my passions.
Coming from a neurological and sensory background ( I have completed Sensory Integration Foundations of Neuroscience, Sensory Babies, and Eco Sensory Therapy training), I find it fascinating how our sensory systems develop and integrate in order that we can engage with and enjoy the wonderful world around us. I am a keen learner and regularly complete courses and attend conferences which explore these concepts. In recent years my training in Interoception and becoming a Trauma Informed Practitioner have been like a missing piece of the puzzle for many of the children and families I work with. I have specialist interests and knowledge in sensory processing, childhood development, developmental trauma and attachment, and nature based therapy. 
My hope is that I can support many children, and their families to feel connected and recognised for their individual needs and strengths. Becoming a parent is life changing and feeling supported in that journey is so, so important.