What Is Paediatric Occupational Therapy? A Gentle Guide for Families

What is paediatric occupational therapy?

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Paediatric occupational therapy (OT) is all about helping children build the skills they need for everyday life – at home, at school and in the community.

At All Things Therapy, our occupational therapists work in a neuroaffirming, strengths-based way. That means we start with who your child is, what matters to them, and how we can support their development without trying to “fix” who they are.

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What kinds of “occupations” do children have?

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For adults, “occupation” often means work.  

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For children, their occupations are things like:

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• Playing and exploring
• Looking after their bodies (dressing, toileting, feeding)
• Participating in family routines
• Being at kindy or school
• Building friendships and social connections

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If something is getting in the way of those day-to-day activities, OT may help.

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Reasons families might consider paediatric OT

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Every child is different, but families often contact us when they notice things like:

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• Sensory differences – becoming overwhelmed by noise, touch, or movement, or needing lots of movement and sensory input to stay regulated  
• Fine motor challenges – difficulty using cutlery, holding a pencil, doing up buttons or zips  
• Gross motor and coordination – appearing clumsy, tripping often, or finding it hard to learn new physical skills  
• Emotional regulation – big feelings that are hard to manage, frequent meltdowns or shutdowns  
• Self-care skills – tasks like dressing, toileting, or daily routines may take extra effort or feel tiring
• School participation – difficulty sitting at the mat, coping with transitions, concentrating or completing tasks

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You don’t need to have a diagnosis for therapy to be helpful. Many families simply have a sense that “something is hard” and want support.

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What does paediatric OT look like in sessions?

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OT sessions are usually play-based and collaborative. Depending on your child’s goals, sessions may include:

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• Movement, obstacle courses and sensory play  
• Fine motor activities such as drawing, cutting, construction or games  
• Practising everyday skills in a graded, supportive way  
• Visual supports, routines and organisation strategies  
• Co-regulation and emotional literacy work (naming feelings, using calming tools)  
• Parent coaching so you feel confident using strategies at home and school

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We work closely with parents, carers and teachers, because you know your child best.

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How we support families at All Things Therapy

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At All Things Therapy we:

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• Take time to understand your child’s strengths, interests and sensory profile  
• Use a neuroaffirming, trauma-informed approach  
• Collaborate with other professionals (teachers, GPs, allied health) where helpful  
• Provide clear, practical suggestions you can use in everyday life  
• Offer assessments, reports and functional capacity assessments when required for NDIS planning

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What to do if you’re wondering about OT for your child

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If you’re not sure whether paediatric OT is the right fit, you’re welcome to reach out and ask questions. We can:

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• Talk through your child’s current challenges and strengths  
• Suggest whether OT, another therapy, or a combination may be helpful  
• Explain funding options (NDIS, Medicare, private)

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You don’t have to figure it all out alone.  

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If you’d like support for your child’s development, regulation or independence, you can submit an intake form or contact our team at All Things Therapy.

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