What is Occupational Therapy?
With occupational therapy, children learn and practise the skills that help them in daily life, from dressing and eating to concentrating in lessons, forming friendships, and playing with others.
Our paediatric occupational therapists at Chatterbox guide children through each stage of development. This means supporting toddlers as they discover movement and play, preschoolers as they transition to kindy, and school-aged children as they strengthen handwriting, concentration, emotional control, and social skills.
Our qualified OTs aim to help 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.
From sitting still and handling writing or coordination, to coping with textures and clothing, or keeping up with everyday routines, our team is here to support your child.
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.
Parents often wonder if their child will eventually catch up, but usually these issues persist without the right support. It’s not because children aren’t trying; it’s because the necessary building blocks for success are missing. Over time, this can make daily routines harder and more discouraging. As children mature, expectations grow in classrooms, at home, and among peers. That’s why early support is key. It creates solid foundations, helping children thrive and preventing barriers later in life. And the good news is occupational therapy may make a big difference!
How Occupational Therapy Works at Chatterbox
Starting OT can feel like a big step, especially if you’re not quite sure what to expect. Here’s how we keep it supportive and family-friendly from the very beginning:
1. Initial Assessment
We begin by using a relaxed, play-centred assessment to explore your child’s skills, challenges, and involvement in day-to-day life. This allows us to see where support may be needed and design an approach that suits them best.
2. Setting Individual Goals
Once we know how your child is going, we work together to create goals that matter most to your family. This could mean learning to manage buttons, improving play, navigating transitions, or staying attentive at school. We break these down into small, achievable steps that build momentum over time.
In setting goals, we consider your child’s age, level of development, and daily needs to ensure the plan is practical, purposeful, and suited to their learning style.
3. Engaging, Evidence-Based Therapy
Chatterbox therapy sessions are:
- Tailored to your child’s unique needs, preferences, and learning style
- Backed by evidence-based approaches and contemporary research
- Focused on building strengths while addressing challenges
- Centred on building confidence, self-reliance, and involvement
Sessions may involve obstacle courses, handwriting or drawing practice, sensory activities, mindfulness, role play, or everyday tasks. We focus on whatever supports your child to learn, grow, and take part in ways that feel safe and positive. Our approach is always neurodiversity-affirming, practical, and fun.
4. Family Support and Coaching
You are key to your child’s development, so we make it a priority to support you along the journey. Beyond giving strategies, we coach you on putting them into practice in daily life, whether at home, in routines, or during tricky times.
Our focus isn’t only on children: We support the whole family. When you feel supported, your child benefits as well.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
We track your child’s progress in every session, which allows us to adjust goals, activities, and strategies to match their needs at the moment. This ensures therapy stays relevant and achievable for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We use a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach.
- We set family-centred goals and tailor therapy plans to your child
- We ensure therapy is enjoyable, interactive, and practical for real-world situations
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- We offer both face-to-face and online occupational therapy options
- Our team is made up of skilled therapists who truly care
All of this is included in what we provide, but do you know the most important reason?
Families choose Chatterbox because they want to feel that their child is in good hands with people who don’t just deliver therapy, but genuinely 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 also consider your child’s age, stage, and individual needs to make sure therapy is realistic, meaningful, and tailored to how they learn best.
How often will my child attend therapy?
Your therapist will suggest a schedule guided by up-to-date research and your child’s individual needs. In most cases, steady and consistent therapy brings the best outcomes.
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?
The answer varies depending on your child’s age, goals, needs, and their response to therapy. After the first assessment and a few sessions, your OT will provide more clarity.
We don’t promise a “quick fix,” but we do focus on progress – helping children build skills steadily for enduring success.
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.
Week after week, your child sees the same therapist, creating consistency, trust, and a deep understanding of their learning needs.
Life, of course, doesn’t always run to plan, and that’s where being part of a connected team may make a difference. If your clinician is away, you need to move an appointment, or you’d like to add an extra session, we’ve got your back. We offer families the option to see another trusted team member when needed.
Because we work closely together, your child’s goals and progress won’t get lost in the handover. And sometimes, seeing a different clinician may even support flexibility and confidence, helping your child generalise skills with different people, just like they do in everyday life.
Do you offer online OT?
Yes! We offer both in-clinic appointments and Telehealth Occupational Therapy services to suit your family’s needs. Online therapy is a great option for busy families, kids who feel most comfortable at home, or families living in remote or rural areas.
What funding options are available?
Families can access OT funding in different ways, including through NDIS, Medicare, and private health rebates. More details on 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 Penrith primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Penrith, Emu Plains, Emu Heights, Glenmore Park, Cranebrook, Jamisontown, Glenbrook, and Blaxland, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.