What is Occupational Therapy?
Through occupational therapy, children may strengthen the abilities they need for daily life, such as getting dressed, handling cutlery, focusing at school, socialising with peers, and taking part 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 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.
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 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.
While many children thrive on practice, others need specific, guided support to build the skills underneath the activity. The focus isn’t on trying harder; it’s on finding an approach to learning that suits them.
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
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
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 may be needed and what kind of approach may suit your child best.
2. Setting Individual Goals
After we gain insight into your child’s progress, we collaborate with you to set meaningful goals. These may include anything from coping with transitions to fastening buttons, developing play skills, or maintaining focus in class. We then break larger goals down into smaller, realistic steps that encourage confidence and steady progress.
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
Here at Chatterbox, therapy sessions are designed to be:
- Personalised to suit your child’s specific needs, interests, and way of learning
- Backed by evidence-based approaches and contemporary research
- Created to harness strengths and work on areas that may benefit from improvement
- 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
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
Our practice follows a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-focused 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
- Our team helps children grow across different areas of development under one roof
- We provide occupational therapy through face-to-face sessions as well as virtual 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?
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?
Based on the latest research and your child’s needs, your therapist will recommend a suitable schedule. For most children, regular and consistent sessions achieve the greatest results.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Since our team collaborates closely, your child’s goals and progress are always carried through. At times, working with another clinician may build flexibility and confidence, helping your child practise skills with different people, as they would in daily life.
Do you offer online OT?
Yes, we provide both in-clinic appointments and Telehealth Occupational Therapy to match your family’s needs. Online therapy often works well for busy households, children who prefer home comfort, or those in rural and remote 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?
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?
Our main clinics are strategically located in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, each with an approachable admin team available to assist you and your family every step of the way. Free parking is offered at every location, making your experience for assessments or therapy smooth and convenient.
While our occupational therapists in Kingswood primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Kingswood, Cambridge Park, Werrington, Claremont Meadows, Jordan Springs, St Marys, Colyton, and St Clair, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.