What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy supports children in developing essential everyday skills, whether that’s dressing themselves, using cutlery, paying attention in class, making friends, or joining in play.
At Chatterbox, our paediatric occupational therapists support children across all stages of development. We work with toddlers learning to use their bodies and engage in play, preschoolers preparing for kindy, and school-aged children navigating handwriting, attention, emotional regulation, and social participation.
We have skilled OTs who assist children with:
- Gross Motor Development
- Fine Motor Development
- Emotional regulation
- Sensory processing
- Self-Care Skills
- Social Skills
You can learn more about the conditions we work with here.
Your child may find it hard to stay seated, experience challenges with handwriting or coordination, dislike certain textures or garments, or need some extra guidance with everyday tasks, and that’s where we aim to help.
Why Might My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Did you realise children have their own occupations too? Their ‘job’ is to develop, explore, play, and connect with the world, though at times, that job can be more challenging than expected.
Some children require more than encouragement or repetition. They benefit from personalised, step-by-step guidance that develops the foundations of each task. It’s not about pushing harder, but about learning differently.
Many parents hope their child will eventually catch up, but often these difficulties don’t go away by themselves. It’s not about a lack of effort; it’s about missing the essential skills that make tasks possible. Without proper support, daily activities may become more difficult and discouraging. As kids grow, expectations rise both at school and at home. That’s why early intervention is so important. By building strong foundations from the start, your child has the opportunity to thrive and avoid bigger challenges later. The positive news? Occupational therapy aims to provide that support.
How Occupational Therapy Works at Chatterbox
Taking the first step into OT may feel daunting, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Here’s how we ensure it feels supportive and comfortable for your whole family from day one:
1. Initial Assessment
To start, we carry out a supportive, play-based assessment to learn about your child’s strengths, challenges, and daily participation. This guides us in choosing the type of support and strategies that may work best for them.
2. Setting Individual Goals
Once we understand how your child is tracking, we set goals together. We’ll work with you to figure out what matters most, from handling transitions to managing buttons, building play skills, and staying focused in the classroom. Then we break bigger goals into smaller, achievable steps to build momentum along the way.
When setting goals, we take into account your child’s age, developmental stage, and everyday needs so that the plan is realistic, meaningful, and tailored to how your child learns best.
3. Engaging, Evidence-Based Therapy
Our therapy sessions at Chatterbox are:
- Customised for your child’s unique requirements, likes, and learning style
- Rooted in best-practice methods and up-to-date research
- Designed to build on strengths while targeting areas of difficulty
- Aimed at strengthening confidence, independence, and engagement
Therapy activities can range from obstacle courses and handwriting practice to sensory play, mindfulness, role play, and practising daily routines. We use whatever best helps your child to learn, develop, and engage comfortably. All sessions are neurodiversity-affirming, meaningful, and enjoyable.
4. Family Support and Coaching
Your role in your child’s progress is vital, which is why we ensure you feel supported throughout. Rather than only sharing strategies, we guide you in applying them in daily life at home, in routines, or when challenges arise.
We don’t just work with children, we commit to families. Because when you feel supported, your child does too.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
During every session, we keep track of your child’s development and refine goals, activities, and strategies to fit their needs. This makes therapy continually relevant, achievable, and supportive for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We use a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach.
- Therapy is shaped around family-centred goals and individually tailored to your child
- Sessions are kept fun, engaging, and closely linked to daily life
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- We offer both face-to-face and online occupational therapy options
- We’re a team of experienced therapists who genuinely care
We offer all this, yet the greatest reason goes beyond. Want to hear it?
Families come to Chatterbox for peace of mind, knowing their child is supported by people who provide more than therapy: they truly care.
What’s the Next Step?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are therapy goals set?
We set goals by talking with you. Together, we’ll figure out what matters most for your child’s wellbeing, independence, and everyday life. From there, we break bigger goals into smaller, achievable steps so your child may build confidence and experience success along the way.
We take into account your child’s age, growth stage, and personal needs to design therapy that is realistic, valuable, and customised to how they learn best.
How often will my child attend therapy?
A schedule will be recommended by your clinician, drawing on current evidence and what works best for your child. Typically, ongoing and consistent therapy supports stronger progress.
At Chatterbox, sessions run for either 60 or 90 minutes. We provide weekly therapy in keeping with the research, with the flexibility to add extra sessions or intensives – ideal for school holidays or focusing on a specific skill.
How long will my child need OT?
This depends on many factors including your child’s age, needs, goals, and how they respond to therapy. Your OT will give you a clearer picture after the initial assessment and first few sessions.
Although no “quick fix” exists, our aim is progress – strengthening skills one step at a time for long-term outcomes.
Who will my child see for therapy?
Our therapists are all experienced, fully qualified, and members of Occupational Therapy Australia. Their passion is helping children grow and thrive with practical, family-centred care backed by research.
Each week, your child works with the same therapist, who takes the time to build trust and understand their individual learning style.
Things don’t always go smoothly, and that’s when our connected team steps in. Should your clinician be away, an appointment needs shifting, or an extra session needs to be added, we’ll make it work. Families are welcome to meet with another reliable team member if needed.
We work in close partnership, so your child’s goals and progress remain consistent across the team. Occasionally, seeing a different therapist may encourage flexibility and confidence, giving your child the chance to generalise skills with new people, just like in real life.
Do you offer online OT?
Yes – we offer Occupational Therapy both in-clinic appointments and online through Telehealth Occupational Therapy. Online therapy is especially helpful for busy parents, children who are most at ease at home, or families living further away in rural or remote areas.
What funding options are available?
Funding for OT can come from a range of sources, such as NDIS, Medicare, or private health insurance rebates. Find out more about your funding options here.
Is there a waiting list?
Great news – there’s no waiting list right now, so your child can begin straight away. We understand how important timely access is, and we work hard to keep therapy entry quick and easy.
Where are you located?
With our primary clinics based in easily reachable locations across Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, you’ll find a friendly administration team on-site to help guide you and your family. Enjoy the convenience of free on-site parking at all clinics, making your visit for assessments or therapy as simple and stress-free as possible.
While our occupational therapists in Bella Vista primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Bella Vista, Norwest, Kellyville, Stanhope Gardens, Glenwood, Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills, Seven Hills, Castle Hill, and Kings Langley, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.