Testimonials

“Debbie's expertise, experience, and understanding of this area are evident”

From the moment we spoke on the phone I felt assured I'd found the professional that we needed to best understand and support our daughter's needs.

Diagnosed with ASD + PDA, age 14yrs, and unable to tolerate the school environment, all professionals to date had noted sensory needs but none had truly understood and articulated the impact they have on her life - and what should be done to support her. Debbie's expertise, experience, and understanding of this area are evident. The comprehensive report she provided, having met with our daughter and reviewed a plethora of information, provides a host of ideas and adjustments that we can work on applying to support her. It is also proving incredibly important when working with the LA to provide a suitable EHCP.

In addition to all the above, it was a true pleasure to meet Debbie, she has a lovely manner with young people and we both enjoyed working with her.
R.C. mother of a 14 year old

“We won the tribunal!”

“I just wanted to let you know that we won the tribunal!
Your report was instrumental in helping the judge make her conclusion. She found your report to be thorough and comprehensive and accepted and relied upon it to make recommendations. I can’t thank you enough for your assessment and report and for dropping everything to help with the court deadline.”
K.B. mother of a 13 year old

“We would not hesitate to recommend Debbie and Sensory UK”

"Our 6 year-old son has speech delay and a variety of other challenges with sensory seeking, communication and demand avoidance, which as yet don't have a diagnosed root cause. Debbie is hugely knowledgeable and experienced, and provided great insight during our conversations and virtual assessments. She also engaged directly with our son's SENCO and TA at school. The final report she provided was thorough, comprehensive and had an extensive range of practical strategies and suggestions that we are putting to use. We continue to see the benefits of these strategies, and our son is continuing to progress. He seems happier and we are too! We would not hesitate to recommend Debbie and Sensory UK."
M.B. Father 6 year old

“I think it will change my life. It’s been a very positive experience”

‘’Ms Divell has a kind and humorous personality that really put me at ease. She listened so well and it’s evident by the detail and accuracy of the report I requested on my sensory needs. It was so detailed and I learned a lot about my issues. It also came with lots of ideas for ways for me to manage my sensory difficulties that are individual to me, and I think it will change my life. It’s been a very positive experience.”
N.F. Adult service user

“Our son loved working with Debbie and she seemed to instantly put him as his ease”

Our son is autistic, demand avoidant, highly anxious and suffers from OCD, which impacts on much of his life. We asked Debbie to provide Sensory Integration report, in preparation for our son's EHCP tribunal. Our son loved working with Debbie and she seemed to instantly put him as his ease. Her report is so detailed, in terms of the evidence needed for the tribunal, but also with lots of really helpful advice on therapies and approaches that may help our son to tackle his anxiety in the long-run. I would not hesitate to recommend Debbie, she is so professional and communicated with us clearly through all stages of the assessment.
KB, mother of a 12 year old

“It is no exaggeration to say that Debbie's input has changed our lives”

Our son has been having teletherapy with Debbie throughout lockdown and the remote sessions have worked really well for us. The progress he has made has been huge, particularly with his tactile defensiveness, which has been impacting his and our lives for several years. It is no exaggeration to say that Debbie's input has changed our lives. His core strength, coordination and balance have improved dramatically with different weekly challenges he has been given. Debbie was always flexible and quick to provide more challenging exercises when required. Her overall manner, communication and ability to relate with our son is fantastic. We are extremely grateful to have had Debbie as a therapist for our son and plan to have future sessions to help our son progress further.
CD, mother of a 13 year old

“Her progress is exponential”

Our daughter is autistic, suffers from anxiety and has difficulty leaving the house. She warmed to Debbie right from the word go and clearly felt comfortable in her company and an excellent relationship developed very quickly. Clearly Debbie is very knowledgeable in her field and has many contacts who are well respected in their areas of expertise also. She has made a big difference in a short space of time and our daughter has now made unbelievable progress. She is now attending College and is virtually at the top of her class! Her progress is exponential, and we can't believe the huge steps that she is taking, and we thank Debbie wholeheartedly for her input. I would highly recommend Debbie’s wonderful services to anyone.
PT, father of 16 year old

“I have a happy boy now”

If anyone needs an OT assessment for an EHCP I just used Debbie Divell and she was brilliant. It is bloody difficult getting my son to do what you want him to do but many tactics were used including competitiveness, using his interests. He did everything over a couple of sessions. It kind of made me a bit sad reading the report as it is no wonder he couldn't cope in primary school and everyone was blaming him saying he had 'behavioural issues'. Everyone thought I was wrong to take him out of school (even I was worried I was making a mistake). That decision has definitely proved to be right. I have a happy boy now. And now he is happy we can focus on getting him in a school that will work for him (assuming it exists - I'm not sure it does yet).
SH, mother of 10 year old

“I would recommend Debbie 100% for her knowledge, dedication and as someone who delivers on what she promises”

Debbie was asked to undertake a sensory integration assessment on a 10yr old that we care for. From the very first contact we felt reassured and informed. This assessment was done in the summer of 2020 during the Covid pandemic. There were regular phone calls, zoom meetings and WhatsApp video calls. For us it was one of those rare occasions where someone really took the time to get to know us and our little boy. The final report was clear, concise and easy to read. We've had professionals comment on the report as "the most in-depth and informative they've ever seen". I would recommend Debbie 100% for her knowledge, dedication and as someone who delivers on what she promises.
CV, Foster Carer, 10 year old

“She is a star!”

I just want to thank Debbie so very much for all her input, work and strategies she gave T and to us as a family. T is 10yrs old and in almost 6 years at school this is the BEST he has been in every sensory problem that he has, and it’s all down to Debbie’s involvement, her hard work and dedication. There is NO way T or Us could have carried on coping as a family with his severe issues. Obviously, they are still there, but very, very, manageable now!!! All thanks to Debbie’s fantastic persistent and hours involvement. And not forgetting the huge input of you learning T to fully ride a 2- wheeler bike that appeared to be an impossible task for him. She is a star..x. I highly recommend Debbie and I hope she can be involved in my granddaughter also when the time is right because she too has many sensory issues that affect her and obviously it affects us as a family too....X
LP, Grandparent of 10 year old

“Huge impact on the provision my son requires”

Debbie’s report has had a huge impact on the provision my son requires. The senior medic came out and agreed with everything on Debbie’s report. He is very high up! L has also been diagnosed from her report. We’re getting there thanks to Debbie!!!
KW, Mother of 9 year old

“A highly experienced and knowledgeable professional she also has in-depth understanding around autism”

From the first meeting with Sensory UK it was evident that Debbie completely understood our son’s needs. Debbie is not only a highly experienced and knowledgeable professional she also has in-depth understanding around autism. Previously we had worked with therapists who were skilled within the area of occupational therapy but struggled to engage or work with our son due to a lack of autism knowledge. Debbie supported us through an accurate and detailed report, supporting letter and new-found research for our recent SEND tribunal which was hugely successful and ensured our son got the vital support he needed during his school day. Debbie’s report also supported other medical professionals and occupational therapists within the NHS to further understand our son’s needs.
TD, Mum of a 3 year old

“My teenage son is hard to engage… you have made a real difference”

Debbie has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and strategies that she brings to her work with our son. My teenage son is hard to engage, we are delighted that because of Debbie's proactive and creative approach, he is finally starting to show some awareness and understanding of his sensory issues. Debbie gives us activities that are fun and interesting, she's enabled us to understand T and how to support him, working towards him having his own understanding and strategies he can use independently in the long run. Thanks for everything, you have made a real difference, look forward to continuing in September.
LT, Mum of a 13 year old

“Using teletherapy has actually been a huge bonus”

Using teletherapy has actually been a huge bonus - being able to participate in sessions adds value and means we really get what Debbie is working on.
LT, Mother of a 13 year old son.

"We could not ask for a better therapist"

My daughter has been working with Debbie for a few months and has been absolutely amazing, my daughter loves the sessions and feels safe, relaxed and happy when she is in therapy with Debbie.  We cannot thank Debbie enough for all her amazing work she has put in and help throughout her sessions with my daughter.  We could not ask for a better therapist.
KB, mother of a 7 year old
 

"She has such a lovely way of working with young people and it helps so much to know that she’s a ‘special mum’ too.  She really gets it."
We cannot thank Debs enough! She recently carried out several assessments for our youngest son (6).  This was done as part of the EHCP assessment process and her excellent report was written to tribunal standards and specifications.  This was a demanding process on all of us, but she worked above and beyond to get it right.
At all times she was very mindful and sensitive to all of our family’s needs.  From the off she put my son at ease – not an easy task when you have severe social anxiety. She has such a lovely way of working with young people and it helps so much to know that she’s a ‘special mum’ too.  She really gets it.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or call on her services in the future. 
ST, mother of  a 6 year old

 

"The benefits were obvious"

Debbie saw both my children for sessions and they enjoyed going.  They were assessed separately so that their needs could be worked out and the sessions were separate too to help them individually. The benefits were obvious with both children, mainly that my eldest child who struggles with balance was told previously that he’d not be able to learn to ride a bicycle, and had tried often, but now can ride. I was kept well informed throughout.
AC, mother to 7 and 13 year olds

"My son doesn’t engage with people well but Debbie is a natural"

Can’t thank Debbie enough for her help and support. Helped us to understand our sons difficulties and provided evidence for further help and support. My son doesn’t engage with people well but Debbie is a natural, resulting in my son asking when Debbie will next visit. I would highly recommend Debbie to anyone looking for ways to support their child.
KW, mother of an 8 year old

”…a never-ending supply of ideas to encourage positive engagement”

Debbie is punctual and communicates effectively with the adoptive family she is working with. She is described to be patient, fun, enthusiastic and adaptable with a never-ending supply of ideas to encourage positive engagement in the work. The family report numerous improvements in their child’s functioning. The child is now able to catch a ball and has increased his core strength. His concentration and capacity to complete a task before moving on has greatly improved whereas this was impossible for him before therapy began. As a result, skills requiring concentration and application, such as writing, are much improved and his class teacher has reported an increased ability to remain engaged in learning. Overall, the child is learning to approach tasks in a much more structured way without flitting from one activity to another and is making direct use of Debbie’s strategies due to making them accessible and understandable. Debbie takes great pride in her work and is thrilled that the child speaks so enthusiastically about sessions he has had with her. I would have no hesitation in recommending Sensory UK.
Social Worker for Adopted Children

"Debbie has dealt with my son and our family with respect, sensitivity and great care at all times"

Debbie has dealt with my son and our family with respect, sensitivity and great care at all times.  She has been a fantastic advocate for him with the college and is always looking for innovative and alternative ways to help and support him.  She always works hard to get to the root of any difficulties and doesn’t assume that her first findings are the correct ones.  Thank you, Debs, for everything you have done so far, and I look forward to my son continuing to make the progress he is capable of, with your ongoing support.
SS, mother of a 19 year-old

"I cannot recommend Debbie highly enough"

My autism therapist recently recommended Debbie to me for a Sensory Integration assessment as I struggle with sensory issues.  This has been a very valuable exercise: already I have a much improved understanding of my sensory issues and a host of strategies to better mitigate and manage them.  I have found Debbie to be thorough, patient and empathetic.  I cannot recommend her highly enough.

On reading his Sensory Integration report:  Wow! That is really good – suddenly lots of stuff makes sense and the suggestions are really helpful.  I find it fascinating that a lot of my pastimes directly address some of my issues.  I never knew!  This is going to make such a positive difference.
IP, age 54

"Debbie has had a great impact on the well-being of our student"

I work in a college environment and I have had the privilege to work with Debbie to support one of our vulnerable learners. Debbie is a very enthusiastic person who keeps the young person at the focus of everything that she does, I have witnessed her ability to adapt her approach towards our student which in turn encouraged him to engage with therapy. The result of this dedication is that  a student who has previously disengaged with college has become more focused and willing to co-operate with Debbie and other college staff as a result. I believe that Debbie has had a great impact on the well-being of our student.
College SEN Department Staff