Motor neurone disease and the vital role of occupational therapists
A series of three webinars by Jenny Rolfe looking at motor neurone disease and how occupational therapists can make all the difference to people living with MND and their families.
A fourth workshop is to be delivered by the MND Assocation, during which they will explain their role, discuss the support they can provide to people living with MND, their families in Ireland, and the support they can give to you as health care professionals.
Session 1:
In this 45min webinar we will examine the aetiology andpathology involved with motor neurone disease. We will look at different types of presentations and how these differ in terms of physical presentation and prognosis. We will explore how MND is diagnosed and what treatment options there are currently. In addition, we will start to explore common symptoms which will require intervention to help manage to improve quality of life and extend life expectancy in people who are living with MND.
Webinar Parts
MND and the wider multi-disciplinary team
An introduction to the IMNDA
Learning Outcomes
- Be aware of different types of presentation of MND and why this is important in relation to intervention and outcomes
- Be aware of the considerations around diagnosis and prognosis
- Have an understanding of the pathology of MND and current medication options as treatment
- Have an understanding of the role of Genetics in MND
- Have an understanding of the range of signs and symptoms experienced by people living with MND
Meet our Experts

Jenny is a senior occupational therapist. She qualified in 1997 and completed her MSc in Neuro-rehabilitation in 2007. She has worked in Neurological Rehabilitation at the Battle Hospital in Reading, and the Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre in Oxford which became part of the Oxford Centre for Enablement in 2000. She moved into the Specialist Disability Service at the OCE from where she joined the Oxford MND Centre in January 2007.
Since August 2009 Jenny has been funded full-time by the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association to develop NHS wheelchair services across the UK, to improve wheelchair provision for people living with MND.
People who watched this also watched...
New year, balanced you: Mindfulness for the health and care professionals
Join Kate Jackson in this interactive webinar exploring mindfulness for health and social care professionals. Kate will guide you through a range of concepts, techniques and considerations, offering practical ways to bring Mindfulness into your daily life to enhance wellbeing. Kate takes a thoughtful, compassionate and inclusive approach to wellbeing, offering a grounded and accessible delivery style.
Comfort versus positioning: What is the difference and can we have both?
In this 1-hour webinar, we will explore the clinical distinctions between comfort seating and posture-protecting seating systems. Through evidence-informed discussion and practical examples, participants will gain clarity on how seating choices impact posture, function, and long-term health outcomes.
We will examine the design features and intended use of comfort seating versus posture-protecting systems, and critically evaluate their implications for individuals with complex needs. The session will also support therapists in applying clinical reasoning to seating prescriptions, balancing comfort, alignment, and participation goals.
The importance of good clinical reasoning
In this two part webinar we will explore:
Part 1: What is clinical reasoning and why is it important – with a focus on the interchangeable terminology and obtaining a deeper understanding of the need for clinical reasoning.
Part 2: How do you clinically justify and how can we get better at it – the speakers will share their thoughts, tips and tricks on best practice.
