Paediatric Occupational Therapy Adelaide

Paediatric occupational therapy supports children to develop the skills they need to participate confidently in everyday life. This may include play, learning, self-care, emotional regulation and social participation.

Occupational therapists consider the whole child, including sensory, physical, emotional and environmental factors that influence participation.

We recognise that every child develops differently. Our neuro-affirming approach focuses on understanding each child's unique strengths, preferences and goals while supporting meaningful participation and confidence across home, school and community life.

Children and adolescents may benefit from occupational therapy if they would like support developing skills for fine motor tasks, gross motor development, emotional regulation, sensory processing, executive functioning, self-care, learning or participation in everyday activities.

Occupational therapy may also support children and families who would like greater confidence participating at home, school, in the community and alongside their peers.

Our paediatric occupational therapists begin by getting to know your child and family, taking time to understand their strengths, interests, needs and goals.

Therapy is individualised and may include direct therapy, family coaching, practical strategies for everyday life and collaboration with educators and other members of your child's support team.

Support may be provided in our clinic or within everyday environments such as home, school or the community, depending on your child's needs and goals.

We provide paediatric occupational therapy for NDIS participants with self-managed and plan-managed funding.

We also support Medicare funded and privately funded clients.

If you're unsure which funding option is right for your family, our team is happy to guide you through the process.

Children and adolescents may benefit from support developing fine motor skills used for everyday activities such as handwriting, drawing, using cutlery, fastening clothing, manipulating small objects or using classroom tools.

Occupational therapists work alongside children and families to develop hand strength, coordination, dexterity and confidence so they can participate more independently in everyday activities.

Every child experiences sensory information differently. Understanding your child's sensory preferences, patterns and needs can provide valuable insight into how they participate at home, school and in the community.

Occupational therapists use evidence-based sensory assessment and practical strategies to support emotional regulation, participation, comfort and confidence across everyday environments.

Occupational therapy can support children and adolescents to develop everyday self-care skills such as dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting and managing daily routines more independently.

Therapy focuses on building confidence, developing practical skills and supporting participation in activities that are meaningful to each child and family.

Children may benefit from support developing gross motor skills used for running, jumping, climbing, ball skills, balance, coordination and overall body awareness.

Occupational therapists help children build motor planning, strength, coordination and confidence so they can participate more in play, sport, school and everyday activities.

Some children and adolescents may benefit from support developing executive functioning skills such as planning, organisation, attention, time management, working memory and completing everyday tasks.

Occupational therapists provide practical strategies that support learning, independence, problem-solving and participation at home and school.

Some children may benefit from support developing attention, impulse control, emotional regulation and self-regulation skills that help them participate in learning, play and everyday routines.

Occupational therapists work collaboratively with children, families and educators to develop practical strategies that support participation, confidence and wellbeing across different environments.

We believe that neurodiversity is a valuable and natural aspect of human variation. Our neuro-affirming approach recognises that neurological differences, including autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, are a natural part of human diversity.

We celebrate each child's unique strengths, perspectives and ways of experiencing the world, supporting them to participate in ways that are meaningful to them.

Our approach creates a safe, welcoming and accepting environment where children and adolescents feel understood, respected and valued for who they are.

We support children to participate authentically in therapy, building confidence while working towards goals that are meaningful to them and their family.

We understand that every child experiences the world differently and engages with everyday activities in their own way.

Our therapists take the time to listen, observe and tailor therapy to each child's unique strengths, preferences, goals and support needs.

We encourage children and adolescents to develop confidence, self-awareness and independence at a pace that is meaningful for them.

As children grow, we support opportunities to make choices, express preferences, participate in goal setting and develop the skills to advocate for themselves in everyday life.

We value working collaboratively with parents, caregivers, educators and other members of each child's support network.

Through open communication and shared decision-making, we work together to create consistent, meaningful supports across home, school and community environments.

We understand the important role that educators and schools play in a child's development and participation. We work collaboratively with education teams to create consistent strategies and support across learning environments.

Working together helps children feel more confident, supported and able to participate across home, school and community life.

These sessions are designed for parents and carers to openly discuss their child’s needs, strengths and priorities without interruption. We encourage children not to attend so that caregivers can speak freely and have the space to explore concerns in depth with the therapist.

During the session, your therapist will gather key information including medical history, family dynamics, current supports and your child’s abilities in areas such as social communication, motor skills, sensory processing, emotional development, self-care and learning. Together, we identify meaningful goals for the therapy plan to ensure everyone is aligned.

Sessions typically run for 60–90 minutes.

We prioritise creating a safe, welcoming space where your child feels comfortable engaging in therapy. Our first goal is to build trust and rapport, laying the foundation for a successful therapeutic relationship.

This initial session, attended with a parent or trusted caregiver, involves play, conversation and exploration of the purpose of therapy. During this time, the therapist will observe your child’s strengths, preferences and challenges to help shape their Therapy Plan.

Session length varies based on the child’s needs, typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes.

After the initial steps (and sometimes a few additional sessions), the therapist will create a Therapy Plan to outline key goals and strategies to achieve them, including important details for structuring sessions.

This comprehensive report typically takes 90 to 120 minutes to complete.

Ongoing sessions will be scheduled based on an agreed frequency, with most clients opting for weekly or fortnightly sessions.