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.
At Chatterbox, our paediatric occupational therapists support children across all stages of 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.
We have skilled OTs who assist 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 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.
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.
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
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
To start, we carry out a supportive, play-based assessment to learn about your child’s strengths, challenges, and daily participation. This guides us in choosing the type of support and strategies that may work best for them.
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
Our therapy sessions at Chatterbox are:
- Tailored to your child’s unique needs, preferences, and learning style
- Based on proven, evidence-informed strategies and the latest research
- Focused on building strengths while addressing challenges
- Aimed at strengthening confidence, independence, and engagement
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
Your child’s progress is reviewed every session, helping us adjust goals, activities, and strategies as needed. This keeps therapy appropriate and realistic for your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach.
- We create family-focused goals and adapt therapy plans for your child
- Sessions are kept fun, engaging, and closely linked to daily life
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- We offer both face-to-face and online occupational therapy options
- A team of caring, knowledgeable therapists with real experience supports your child
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?
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.
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?
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?
Every therapist on our team is qualified, experienced, and registered with Occupational Therapy Australia. They care deeply about helping children succeed through supportive, evidence-based therapy.
Week after week, your child sees the same therapist, creating consistency, trust, and a deep understanding of their learning needs.
Life can be unpredictable, but being part of a strong team ensures support. If your clinician can’t attend, you need to change a booking or add another session, we’ve got you covered. Families have the option to see another trusted therapist whenever necessary.
We work in close partnership, so your child’s goals and progress remain consistent across the team. Occasionally, seeing a different therapist may encourage flexibility and confidence, giving your child the chance to generalise skills with new people, just like in real 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?
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?
Great news – there’s no waiting list right now, so your child can begin straight away. We understand how important timely access is, and we work hard to keep therapy entry quick and easy.
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 Parramatta primarily help people from surrounding suburbs including Parramatta, Rosehill, Westmead, Harris Park, Rydalmere, Merrylands, Granville, Auburn, Newington, Wentworthville, Northmead, Oatlands, Lidcombe, and Guildford, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.