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.
At Chatterbox, our paediatric occupational therapists help children at every stage of their growth. This means toddlers exploring movement and play, preschoolers getting ready for kindy, and school-aged children building skills in handwriting, focus, emotional regulation, and friendships.
Our team of qualified OTs provides help for children in:
- 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 know that children have occupations, just like adults? A child’s ‘work’ is to grow, learn, play, and interact with the world around them, but sometimes, that work is harder than it should be.
For some children, practice and encouragement aren’t enough: They need structured, individualised support to strengthen the underlying skills. It’s not about effort alone, but about discovering how they learn best.
It’s common to wonder if your child will simply catch up, but in most cases, these challenges don’t resolve on their own. That’s not because your child isn’t trying, it’s because they’re missing the building blocks needed to complete tasks successfully. The concern is that without this support, everyday tasks can become harder and more frustrating over time. As children grow, expectations increase at school, at home, and in social settings. That’s why early support matters. It helps lay strong foundations early, giving your child the best chance to thrive and reducing the risk of those challenges becoming a barrier later on. The good news? Occupational therapy may be able to help!
How Occupational Therapy Works at Chatterbox
Beginning occupational therapy can seem overwhelming, particularly if you’re unsure about what lies ahead. This is how we make the process welcoming and family-centred right from the start:
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.
As we create goals, we look at your child’s age, developmental stage, and daily routines, making sure the plan is achievable, relevant, and aligned with the way they learn.
3. Engaging, Evidence-Based Therapy
Our therapy sessions at Chatterbox are:
- Adapted to your child’s individual needs, preferences, and approach to learning
- Backed by evidence-based approaches and contemporary research
- Created to harness strengths and work on areas that may benefit from improvement
- Aimed at strengthening confidence, independence, and engagement
Therapy might include obstacle courses, drawing or handwriting practice, sensory play, mindfulness, role play, or daily living tasks. Whatever helps your child learn, grow, and engage in a way that feels safe and enjoyable. Everything we do is neurodiversity-affirming, practical, and fun.
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 work alongside children and their families, because supporting you means supporting your child.
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
Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming and focused on building strengths.
- We create family-focused goals and adapt therapy plans for your child
- Our sessions are designed to be fun, engaging, and connected to everyday 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
These are all part of what we offer, but want to know the biggest reason?
Parents choose Chatterbox because they want assurance their child is cared for by therapists who go beyond sessions and genuinely care.
What’s the Next Step?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are therapy goals set?
Together with you, we establish goals that prioritise your child’s wellbeing, independence, and life skills. We then divide big goals into smaller, practical steps, helping your child grow in confidence and celebrate progress along the way.
Your child’s age, developmental stage, and unique needs are always taken into account so therapy is practical, purposeful, and suited to their learning style.
How often will my child attend therapy?
Your clinician will recommend a schedule based on current research and what’s most effective for your child’s needs. For most goals, regular and consistent therapy leads to stronger results.
Our sessions at Chatterbox are available in 60 or 90 minute formats. Therapy is offered weekly in line with evidence, with additional weekly sessions or intensives available, perfect for holidays or targeting certain skills.
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.
While there’s no “quick fix,” the goal is always progress – building skills step by step in a way that supports long-term success.
Who will my child see for therapy?
Each of our therapists is registered with Occupational Therapy Australia, bringing qualifications, experience, and a passion for supporting children through evidence-based, family-focused therapy.
Each week, your child works with the same therapist, who takes the time to build trust and understand their individual learning style.
Life can be unpredictable, but being part of a strong team ensures support. If your clinician can’t attend, you need to change a booking or add another session, we’ve got you covered. Families have the option to see another trusted therapist whenever necessary.
Because of our strong teamwork, your child’s goals and progress are never lost in transition. In fact, meeting with another clinician at times may boost flexibility and confidence, helping your child use their skills with different people, just as they do every day.
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?
You may be able to fund OT via NDIS, Medicare, or private health rebates. Click to explore your funding options here.
Is there a waiting list?
Right now, we don’t have a waiting list, so your child can get started immediately. Because timely access is so important, we’ve focused on keeping the process simple and quick for families.
Where are you located?
At each of our primary locations in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, a dedicated team is ready to assist you and your family, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. With free on-site parking available at every clinic, attending assessments or therapy sessions is made easy and stress-free.
While our occupational therapists in Parramatta primarily help people from surrounding suburbs including Parramatta, Rosehill, Westmead, Harris Park, Rydalmere, Merrylands, Granville, Auburn, Newington, Wentworthville, Northmead, Oatlands, Lidcombe, and Guildford, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.