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.
Chatterbox’s paediatric occupational therapists provide support for children of all ages, whether it’s toddlers developing physical and play skills, preschoolers preparing for kindy routines, or school-aged kids working on handwriting, focus, emotional wellbeing, and social participation.
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.
Your child may find it hard to stay seated, experience challenges with handwriting or coordination, dislike certain textures or garments, or need some extra guidance with everyday tasks, and that’s where we aim to help.
Why Might My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Just like adults, children have occupations of their own. Their main ‘work’ is to learn, grow, play, and engage with their surroundings, yet sometimes that work doesn’t come easily.
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 natural to think your child might outgrow these difficulties, yet in most cases, they don’t disappear on their own. The issue isn’t a lack of effort, but rather missing the core skills needed to succeed in everyday tasks. Left unaddressed, these challenges can lead to frustration and greater struggles over time. As children get older, demands increase academically, socially, and at home. That’s why getting help early may make such a difference. Strong foundations built now give your child the best chance at success and reduce future obstacles. The best part? Occupational therapy may be able to help.
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 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
When we have a clear picture of your child’s needs, we partner with you to decide on priorities, whether that’s handling transitions, managing buttons, building play skills, or concentrating in the classroom. We then divide the bigger goals into manageable steps to support their ongoing growth.
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:
- Customised for your child’s unique requirements, likes, and learning style
- Backed by evidence-based approaches and contemporary research
- Designed to build on strengths while targeting areas of difficulty
- Centred on building confidence, self-reliance, and involvement
Depending on your child’s needs, therapy could include obstacle courses, drawing or handwriting practice, sensory play, mindfulness, role play, or practising life skills. The focus is on helping them learn, grow, and participate in a way that feels safe and fun. Every activity is neurodiversity-affirming, supportive, and engaging.
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.
Our focus isn’t only on children: We support the whole family. When you feel supported, your child benefits as well.
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 approach is neurodiversity-affirming and focused on building strengths.
- We set family-centred goals and tailor therapy plans to your child
- Our sessions are designed to be fun, engaging, and connected to everyday life
- We provide support for various aspects of development in a single setting
- We offer both face-to-face and online occupational therapy options
- We’re a team of experienced therapists who genuinely care
These things matter, but would you like to know the biggest reason of all?
Families come to Chatterbox for peace of mind, knowing their child is supported by people who provide more than therapy: they truly care.
What’s the Next Step?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are therapy goals set?
By working with you, we set goals that reflect what really matters for your child’s wellbeing, independence, and everyday activities. Larger goals are broken down into achievable steps, supporting confidence and ongoing success.
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?
A schedule will be recommended by your clinician, drawing on current evidence and what works best for your child. Typically, ongoing and consistent therapy supports stronger progress.
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?
It depends on factors such as your child’s age, goals, needs, and response to therapy. Following the initial assessment and early sessions, your OT will give you a better understanding.
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?
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.
Your child meets with the same therapist every week, allowing a consistent, trusting relationship to form and helping the therapist learn how your child learns 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.
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?
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?
Good news, we currently have no waiting list, which means your child can 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 primary clinics in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith are designed for ease of access, with friendly administration staff on hand to support you and your family. All locations offer free parking, providing you with a stress-free transition into assessments or therapy sessions.
While our occupational therapists in Oran Park primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Oran Park, Gledswood Hills, Gregory Hills, Harrington Park, Mount Annan, Currans Hill, Campbelltown, and Leppington, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.