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.
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 experienced occupational therapists support 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.
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 for them.
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.
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
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 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.
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
At Chatterbox, our therapy sessions are:
- Customised for your child’s unique requirements, likes, and learning style
- Based on proven, evidence-informed strategies and the latest 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 safe and 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 work alongside children and their families, because supporting you means supporting your child.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
In each session, we monitor your child’s progress so we can adapt goals, activities, and strategies to suit their current needs. This way, therapy remains meaningful, practical, and within reach 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
- We ensure therapy is enjoyable, interactive, and practical for real-world situations
- We provide support for various aspects of development in a single setting
- Our occupational therapy services are available both in person and online
- Our team is made up of skilled therapists who truly care
We offer all this, yet the greatest reason goes beyond. Want to hear it?
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?
We create goals in partnership with you, focusing on what’s most important for your child’s wellbeing, independence, and daily life. Then we turn big goals into smaller, realistic steps that aim to build confidence and help your child succeed.
In planning therapy, we think about your child’s age, stage of development, and individual needs to ensure it’s achievable, relevant, and aligned with the way they learn.
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.
Chatterbox offers both 60 and 90 minute sessions. Therapy is usually weekly, based on research, but families can also choose extra sessions or intensives – a great way to use school holidays or concentrate on a particular skill.
How long will my child need OT?
How long this takes depends on several things – your child’s age, their needs, their goals, and how they engage with therapy. Your OT will outline this more clearly after the assessment and first sessions.
There may not be a “quick fix,” but the focus is on progress – developing skills gradually to support lasting 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.
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.
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?
Absolutely! Families can choose between in-clinic appointments and Telehealth Occupational Therapy. Online sessions are ideal for busy families, kids who feel secure at home, or families located in rural or remote regions.
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?
The good news is there’s no waitlist at the moment, meaning your child can start without unnecessary delays. We know early access matters, so we prioritise making therapy available as smoothly and promptly as we can.
Where are you located?
Our 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, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for assessments or therapy sessions.
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.