Ready To Take The Next Step?
Looking For A High School Readiness Program For Your Child?
Complete our short enquiry form and tell us a little about your child, their strengths, everyday experiences and the areas where additional support may be helpful as they prepare to start high school. Our team will review the information and help guide you through the next steps for accessing our High School Readiness Program.
There's no obligation to proceed with therapy. Your enquiry gives us a starting point to understand your child's needs, answer any initial questions and determine whether our High School Readiness Program may be appropriate for them.
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What Skills Does Our High School Readiness Program Support?
Our occupational therapy high school readiness program focuses on six key areas that can influence a student's participation, confidence and independence as they transition from primary school into high school.
Executive Functioning, Organisation and Time Management
High school introduces increased demands on planning, organisation, working memory and time management as students begin managing multiple subjects, teachers and daily responsibilities.
Our program may include activities that support:
- Understanding and managing school timetables
- Organising school bags, lockers, books and learning materials
- Planning and prioritising homework, assignments and everyday tasks
- Breaking larger tasks into manageable steps
- Using planners, calendars, reminders and visual supports
- Developing manageable routines for homework, preparation and school mornings
Through practical activities and individualised strategies, students can explore ways to manage everyday school demands that suit their learning styles, strengths and executive functioning needs.
Sensory Processing and Emotional Regulation
High school environments can be busy, noisy and unpredictable, with increased movement between classrooms, crowded corridors and changing social expectations.
Our program may include activities that support:
- Identifying sensory preferences and environmental needs
- Recognising early signs of overwhelm, stress or fatigue
- Developing personalised emotional regulation strategies
- Planning for sensory, movement and rest breaks
- Navigating busy classrooms, assemblies and shared spaces
- Preparing for unexpected changes and unfamiliar situations
Our neuro-affirming approach recognises that regulation looks different for every student. We focus on helping young people understand their sensory and emotional needs while developing practical strategies and identifying environmental adjustments that support comfort, wellbeing and participation.
Independence, Daily Routines and Personal Responsibility
Transitioning to high school often involves managing more daily responsibilities, including preparing belongings, following schedules and navigating school routines.
Our program may include activities that support:
- Establishing manageable morning and afternoon routines
- Packing school bags and preparing materials for different subjects
- Managing personal belongings, lockers and school equipment
- Organising lunch, food and drink throughout the school day
- Developing personal care and hygiene routines
- Building confidence with everyday school responsibilities
We focus on building independence where appropriate while recognising that every student has different support needs and may continue to benefit from assistance, visual supports or environmental adjustments.
Communication, Self-Advocacy and Asking for Help
Starting high school introduces new opportunities for students to communicate with different teachers, express their preferences and advocate for the support they need.
Our program may include activities that support:
- Communicating needs, preferences and concerns in ways that work for the student
- Recognising when help or additional support may be needed
- Building confidence to ask teachers or trusted adults for assistance
- Understanding and responding to everyday classroom communication
- Expressing sensory needs or requesting reasonable adjustments
- Identifying trusted adults and available support systems within the school
Through practical scenarios and supportive activities, students are encouraged to develop confidence in expressing themselves, advocating for their needs and communicating in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful to them.
Social Participation, Friendships and Peer Relationships
Moving to high school can bring changes to friendships, peer groups and social expectations. Students may also encounter unfamiliar social situations and opportunities to develop new connections.
Our program may include activities that support:
- Navigating new social environments and peer groups
- Maintaining existing friendships and developing new connections
- Understanding personal boundaries and respecting the boundaries of others
- Managing disagreements and everyday social challenges
- Recognising safe and supportive relationships
- Building confidence when participating in group activities and shared interests
Our approach respects different communication styles, social preferences and individual boundaries. We focus on supporting meaningful connections and positive social experiences without expecting students to change their natural ways of interacting.
School Navigation, Problem-Solving and Managing Transitions
Unlike primary school, high school often requires students to move between classrooms, manage changing schedules and navigate larger, unfamiliar environments.
Our program may include activities that support:
- Reading and understanding school maps and timetables
- Planning routes between classrooms and school facilities
- Managing transitions between lessons, activities and environments
- Preparing for changes to teachers, rooms or daily schedules
- Developing practical problem-solving strategies for unexpected situations
- Identifying where to go and who to approach when assistance is needed
Through practical planning, visual supports and real-world scenarios, students can develop strategies that help them navigate their new school environment with greater confidence and independence.
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