Additional Therapies

Many additional therapies are available locally on the NHS to help someone living with Dravet Syndrome. But some parents/carers supplement NHS care with private therapy, especially if a particular alternative therapy is not available on the NHS.

To access additional therapies on the NHS, you can ask for a referral from your GP, consultant or epilepsy nurse, or contact your local service directly.

Additional therapies include:

• occupational therapy
• speech and language therapy
• physiotherapy
• play therapy

Starting therapies as early as possible is important to maintain or improve someone’s skills and abilities.

Occupational therapy

For children with Dravet Syndrome, a paediatric occupational therapist can help:

• develop skills around self-care, school and play
• assess whether a child has functional difficulties, for example with sensory and motor skills, and help them overcome these
• a family to support a child to discover how much they can do for themselves to achieve maximum independence.

Occupational therapy can also benefit adults with Dravet Syndrome. It can help with:

• techniques to improve fine motor skills, including writing and buttoning clothes
• creating a safe environment, for example, by providing protective helmets or pads to minimise injury during seizures, or home adaptations, such as stair rails and bathroom handles, to help with mobility and getting around the house.

Speech and language therapy

Speech and language therapists can:

• assess and treat someone’s speech, language and communication to help them to communicate to the best of their ability
• support people with eating, drinking and swallowing problems
• advise on alternative forms of communication that may benefit a child/adult.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is often ongoing for someone living with Dravet Syndrome. It can:

• help someone to be as independent as possible
• prevent and minimise complications that can develop, for example, someone’s mobility might reduce after a seizure, or as they get older.

Play therapy

Play therapy can:

• help children learn and make sense of their world
• support children to come to terms with difficult issues and emotions
• include one to-one activities or group play with other children.