Sandra joined Thrive in June 2026 as an Occupational Therapist. She graduated from the University of Northampton with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy. Sandra is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
Sandra brings extensive experience working with children and young people across a wide range of ages and settings.
Her background includes working as a qualified Childcare Practitioner, both as a Childminder and within nursery environments, as well as several years in specialist educational provisions, including a role as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Alongside her professional experience, Sandra has valuable lived experience as the parent of four neurodivergent adult children. This combination of personal and professional knowledge has given her a deep understanding of the diverse needs of children, young people and young adults who may experience a range of challenges and diagnoses. These include ASD, ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), OCD, trauma, sensory processing differences, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
Sandra has completed a range of training courses, including Level 4 Introduction to Childhood Studies and Child Psychology, Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce, Supporting Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Positive Behaviour Support, SCERTS, Making Sense of Play and Communicate in Print. She is skilled in using sensory-informed approaches and promoting engagement and development through play. Sandra places strong emphasis on building positive relationships, trust and confidence, enabling those she works with to thrive in safe, supportive and engaging environments where they can play, learn and grow in ways that are meaningful and appropriate to their individual needs.
Sandra is committed to ongoing professional development and regularly undertakes continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. Her recent training through RCOT includes Suicide Prevention and other specialist courses aimed at enhancing her clinical practice.
She recently spent time on a neonatal ward to develop her understanding of the importance of sensory and emotional regulation from the earliest stages of life, including the positive impact these approaches can have for premature babies and their families.
Sandra is looking forward to further developing her skills through DIR® Floortime training and plans to undertake Sensory Integration training in the future.
Sandra has a particular interest in understanding the impact of sensory processing on all areas of development and daily life. She is passionate about exploring how sensory differences can influence emotional regulation, sensory and perceptual motor development and cognitive development (including activities of daily living and academic achievement).
She particularly enjoys working with children and young people who experience sensory processing challenges and difficulties with emotional regulation, often alongside diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD and mental health conditions.
Sandra strongly believes it is never too late to develop strategies, routines and resilience. She is committed to helping individuals understand and manage their unique challenges, enabling them to participate in the activities, relationships and occupations that are most important to them, in a way that matters to them.
In her spare time, Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, playing a variety of games together, including outdoor field games with her extended family during the summer months. She also enjoys walking her dog, running and reading.
