Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) services aim to help children participate in the activities that are important to them, whether that’s playing, learning, socialising, or completing daily routines. 

In homes, schools and kindergartens, OTs work closely with children, families, and educators to support each child’s strengths, overcome challenges, and build the skills they need to thrive.

At the heart of OT is understanding the interaction between three key factors: the child (their skills, strengths, and needs), their occupations (the activities they want or need to do), and the environments where these activities take place (classrooms, playgrounds, home, and beyond). 

By considering all three together, OTs can design supports that are meaningful, strength-based, practical, and tailored to each child’s everyday life.

This approach helps children in areas such as:

• Fine and gross motor skills – supporting children to complete everyday tasks such as completing writing, cutting, managing fasteners, catching, or balancing within their home, classroom or community environments.
• Self-care skills- supporting children to be able to complete age-appropriate self-care skills across their environments, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and grooming skills.
• Sensory processing – helping children respond to sensory inputs such as sights, sounds, textures, and movement in ways that allow them to participate and feel comfortable in different settings.
• Regulation- supporting children to regulate their emotions and/or nervous system arousal level to enable them to successfully participate in activities of daily living. Including developing skills in interoceptive awareness.
• Executive functioning – assisting with higher level cognitive skills such as planning, organisation, attention, and self-regulation so children can complete tasks, follow routines, and succeed in learning activities.
• Social participation – enabling children to connect with peers, navigate group activities, and feel confident in social interactions at school.
• Mental health- supporting children to develop a positive self-identity and support their ability to manage the functional impact of anxiety.

Occupational therapy is highly individualised. By looking at the child, their occupations, and the environments where they live and learn, OTs collaborate with teachers and families to create strategies, adapt spaces, and provide targeted supports. The goal is to help each child reach their full potential and enjoy success and confidence in daily life across all their environments.