However, he was unhappy in his new environment, and resorted to self-harming behaviour, losing weight and interest in the world around him. His family was worried that he wouldn’t survive. James was referred to an occupational therapist, who developed an intensive interaction programme for him – mimicking and responding to the noises and actions James made as a way of communicating with him.

To bring James out of his shell, the occupational therapist involved him in activities that he enjoyed and that he could understand, such as playing with sand and water, painting, swimming and horse riding. James is now healthier, and no longer resorts to self-harm. He indicates when he wants to eat or play, where before he had no interaction with the staff at his residential home.

 
This short film explains how occupational therapists help people carry out the activities they need or want to do. People describe how they have benefited from occupational therapy services making a huge difference to their lives.