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 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.
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?
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, 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
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.
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
Our therapy sessions at Chatterbox are:
- Tailored to your child’s unique needs, preferences, and learning style
- Grounded in evidence-based strategies and current research
- Structured to enhance abilities and support areas of difficulty
- Focused on supporting confidence, independence, and participation
Therapy activities can range from obstacle courses and handwriting practice to sensory play, mindfulness, role play, and practising daily routines. We use whatever best helps your child to learn, develop, and engage comfortably. All sessions are neurodiversity-affirming, meaningful, and enjoyable.
4. Family Support and Coaching
You are key to your child’s development, so we make it a priority to support you along the journey. Beyond giving strategies, we coach you on putting them into practice in daily life, whether at home, in routines, or during tricky times.
It’s not just about children; it’s about families too. When parents feel supported, children thrive.
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
- Sessions are kept fun, engaging, and closely linked to daily life
- Our team helps children grow across different areas of development under one roof
- Occupational therapy can be accessed with us either face-to-face or 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?
Families choose Chatterbox because they want to feel that their child is in good hands with people who don’t just deliver therapy, but genuinely care.
What’s the Next Step?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are therapy goals set?
We set goals by talking with you. Together, we’ll figure out what matters most for your child’s wellbeing, 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.
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 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.
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?
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.
Although no “quick fix” exists, our aim is progress – strengthening skills one step at a time for long-term outcomes.
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 meets with the same therapist every week, allowing a consistent, trusting relationship to form and helping the therapist learn how your child learns best.
Life doesn’t always go as planned, which is why having a supportive team matters. If your clinician is unavailable, you need to reschedule, or you’d like an additional session, we’re here to help. Families can see another trusted therapist when required.
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?
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?
Funding for OT can come from a range of sources, such as NDIS, Medicare, or private health insurance rebates. Find out more about 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 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.