Orla McClory
Occupational Therapist
DHA Licensed - License No:71166888-002
An Ulster University graduate from Ireland, Orla is a Specialist Occupational Therapist registered under the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). She is also a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and EOTWG (Emirates Occupational Therapy Working Group under Emirates Medical Asociation). Orla is certified in Ayres Sensory Integration under ASIwise at Ulster University and DIRFloortime trained.
With almost ten years experience, Orla has worked across schools, clinics, and community settings in the UK/Ireland and Dubai. Orla is an expert in supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She has specialist experience in supporting autistic/ADHD and neurodivergent kids across all environments. She also has specialist experience in wheelchair and seating prescription, splinting, and upper limb management for children with physical disabilities.
Orla is deeply passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice and ensuring that every child’s individuality, communication style, and strengths are respected and celebrated. She is committed to amplifying autistic and neurodivergent voices—whether spoken or supported through AAC—and centres her work on what is meaningful and therapeutic for each individual child. Orla views her practice as a process of continuous reflection and re-learning, ensuring her approach remains aligned with the evolving insights and lived experiences of autistic and neurodivergent people. She believes in empowering each child through connection, co-regulation, meaningful engagement and of course, fun!
Education
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, Ulster University, Northern Ireland
- DIRFloortime® Certified
- Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI wise Classi at UU)
- MACS Level 1–3 (Upper Limb Management for Children with Cerebral Palsy)
Licenses and Associations
- Dubai Health Authority, UAE
- Health and Care Professions Council, UK
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists, UK
- EOTWG (Emirates Occupational Therapy Working Group under Emirates Medical Asociation).
Age Range
2-18 years
Nationality
Irish
Languages
English, Gaeilge
Years of Experience
9 years (2016 graduate)
Areas of Expertise
Play-Based Therapy, Neuroaffirming care, Sensory Processing and Regulation, Emotional Regulation, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, Classrom Supports, Environmental Assessment, Handwritting and Visual-Motor Integration, Parent and Teacher Collaboration, Specialist Seating and Wheelchair Prescription, Upper Limb Splinting, Experienced with supporting neurodivergent kids and also kids with cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, muscular dystrophy and Down syndrome.