Solas
Rehabilitation
Aisling van der Walt, BSc(OT), MAOTI, MRCOT. Specialist Occupational Therapist
ABOUT AISLING
Aisling completed her BSc(Hons) in Occupational Therapy at the National University of Ireland, Galway in 2010 before moving to the UK to start her career as an occupational therapist.
Aisling has specialised in neuro rehabilitation for over ten years and founded Solas Rehabilitation in London in 2016. She is passionate about helping people reach their potential despite disability. She works collaboratively with clients to set therapy goals that are meaningful and motivating to them. Aisling returned to Ireland in 2021 and currently works as a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in an acute Dublin hospital in addition to conducting her private work.
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Aisling has held team lead and senior positions at several centres for excellence in neurorehabilitation in the UK, including:
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The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square
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The Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, Putney
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The Wellington Private Hospital, London
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St. Georges NHS Foundation Trust
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Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Addenbrookes).
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In addition to neurorehabilitation, Aisling’s experience includes major trauma, critical care, hand therapy, orthopaedics, general medicine and surgery, and elderly care. She has extended her training to include functional electrical stimulation, splinting, postural management and wheelchair assessment and prescription.
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Aisling has presented at five National and International conferences both within the field of occupational therapy and in interdisciplinary forums. She has displayed research posters at the International Neurorehabilitaiton Symposium in Valencia as part of Rehab Week in 2015 and at the 2015 National Royal College of Occupational Therapy Conference in Brighton.
Aisling also undertook medico legal work in London and accepted instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors and Insurers. She has undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and is fully aware of responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses.
AWARDS AND RESEARCH
Winner of SPARK Innovation Award, 2021
Nationwide, Ireland
For innovation practice fabricating a thermoplastic splint to enable handwriting for people with reduced hand function
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Winner of Queen Square Quality Star Award, 2019
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
For development of a Community Access Risk Assessment Policy and enhancing patient safety.
You Made a Difference Award Nominee
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2013
For showing support to a patient by maintaining a positive attitude
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Research and Presenations
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Conference of the UK & Ireland Chapter International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society.
Presentation: Upper limb electrical stimulation and robotic assisted therapy: A feasibility study
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International Neurorehab Symposium, Valencia (Rehab Week)
Poster display: Simultaneous use of robotics with functional electrical stimulation
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Royal College of Occupational Therapists National Conference 2015
Facilitated poster discussion: Use of robotics as part of therapy for the neurologically impaired upper limb
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Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland National Conference, Croke Park Dublin
Presentation: Service Learning: Stress Management for People with Epilepsy
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Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland National Conference, Croke Park Dublin
Poster: Emerging Models of Practice: A Canadian Approach