What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy aims to help children build the skills they need to do the everyday things that matter, from getting dressed and using cutlery to concentrating in class, making friends, and joining in at playtime.
At Chatterbox, our paediatric occupational therapists are here to support your child’s 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.
Our qualified OTs aim to help children with:
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Emotional regulation
- Sensory processing
- Self-care skills
- Social Skills
- Learning difficulties
You can learn more about the conditions we manage here.
Whether your child finds it tricky to sit still, struggles with writing or coordination, avoids certain textures or clothes, or just needs a little extra help keeping up with everyday routines, we’re here to help.
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.
Some children need more than just practice or encouragement; they need tailored, step-by-step support that helps them build the skills behind the task. It’s not about trying harder. It’s about learning in a way that works for them.
It’s common to wonder if your child will simply catch up to developmental milestones, 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 childhood intervention matters. It helps lay a strong foundation, 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 help!
How Occupational Therapists Work 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 with a warm, play-based assessment to understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and how they participate in daily life. This helps us figure out where support is needed and what kind of approach will suit your child best.
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, from building play skills to staying focused in the classroom. Then we break bigger goals into smaller, achievable steps to build confidence and 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
At Chatterbox, our therapy sessions are:
- Tailored to your child’s unique needs, preferences, and learning style
- Grounded in evidence-based strategies and current research
- Designed to build on strengths while targeting areas of difficulty
- Focused on supporting confidence, independence, and participation
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 enjoyable. Everything we do is neurodiversity-affirming, practical, and fun.
4. Family Support and Coaching
You play an important role in your child’s progress, so we make sure you feel supported every step of the way. We don’t just give you strategies; we coach you on how to use them in everyday life, whether it’s at home, during routines, or when things feel tricky.
We don’t just work with children; we commit to families. Because when you feel supported, your child does too.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
We track your child’s progress in every session, allowing us to adjust goals, everyday activities, and strategies to match their needs at the moment. This helps therapy stay relevant and achievable for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Our Therapy Services
We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach to supporting children by:
- Setting family-centred goals and tailoring therapy plans to your child
- Making sessions fun, engaging, and grounded in real life
- Supporting multiple areas of development all in one place
- Offering both face-to-face and online occupational therapy options
- Showing genuine care for every child, parent, and family
These are all part of what we offer, but want to know the biggest reason?
Families choose Chatterbox because they want to feel confident their child is in good hands with people who don’t just deliver therapy, but genuinely care.
What’s the Next Step?
Common Questions About Paediatric Occupational Therapists
Does occupational therapy help with communication?
Occupational Therapy may help children develop skills that support communication, including attention, play, social interaction, sensory regulation, and using a communication device where appropriate. If your child has concerns with speech or language development, our speech pathologists may be able to help.
How are therapy goals set?
We set goals by talking with you. We’ll work collaboratively to figure out what matters most for your child’s well-being, 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 clinician will recommend a schedule based on current research and what’s most helpful for your child’s needs. For most goals, regular and consistent therapy leads to stronger results.
At Chatterbox, we offer 60- or 90-minute sessions. We offer weekly therapy sessions in line with the research, with options for additional weekly sessions and intensives (a great option during school holidays or to target 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.
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?
All our therapists are qualified, experienced, and registered with Occupational Therapy Australia. They’re passionate about helping children thrive through evidence-based, family-friendly care.
Your child will see the same therapist each week, someone who builds a strong, trusting relationship with your child and gets to know how they learn best.
Life, of course, doesn’t always run to plan, and that’s where being part of a connected team makes 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?
There are several ways to access funding for OT, including NDIS, Medicare, and private health rebates. You can learn more about your funding options here.
Is there a waiting list?
Good news, we currently have no waiting list, which means your child may get started without delay. We know that timely access makes a big difference, and we’ve made it a priority to keep access to therapy as smooth and timely as possible.
Where are you located?
Our Occupational Therapy clinics are located in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, with a welcoming admin team ready to assist you and your family through each step. Free parking is available at all locations for a smooth, hassle-free experience during assessments or therapy sessions.