What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy aims to help children build the skills they need to do the everyday things that matter, from getting dressed and using cutlery to concentrating in class, making friends, and joining in at playtime.
At Chatterbox, our paediatric occupational therapists help children at every stage of their growth. This means toddlers exploring movement and play, preschoolers getting ready for kindy, and school-aged children building skills in handwriting, focus, emotional regulation, and friendships.
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.
From sitting still and handling writing or coordination, to coping with textures and clothing, or keeping up with everyday routines, our team is here to support your child.
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
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 developing goals, we factor in your child’s age, growth stage, and everyday challenges so the plan feels realistic, valuable, and customised to how they learn best.
3. Engaging, Evidence-Based Therapy
At Chatterbox, our therapy sessions are:
- Adapted to your child’s individual needs, preferences, and approach to learning
- Based on proven, evidence-informed strategies and the latest research
- Focused on building strengths while addressing challenges
- 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 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.
Our focus isn’t only on children: We support the whole family. When you feel supported, your child benefits as well.
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
We use a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach.
- Our therapy plans are guided by family-centred goals and customised to your child
- We ensure therapy is enjoyable, interactive, and practical for real-world situations
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- We offer both face-to-face and online occupational therapy 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?
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.
Your child’s age, developmental stage, and unique needs are always taken into account so therapy is practical, purposeful, and suited to their learning style.
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.
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?
The answer varies depending on your child’s age, goals, needs, and their response to therapy. After the first assessment and a few sessions, your OT will provide more clarity.
While there’s no “quick fix,” the goal is always progress – building skills step by step in a way that supports long-term 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 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?
Yes! We offer both in-clinic appointments and Telehealth Occupational Therapy services to suit your family’s needs. Online therapy is a great option for busy families, kids who feel most comfortable at home, or families living in remote or rural areas.
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?
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?
At each of our primary locations in Bella Vista, Kingswood, Oran Park, Parramatta, and Penrith, a dedicated team is ready to assist you and your family, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. With free on-site parking available at every clinic, attending assessments or therapy sessions is made easy and stress-free.
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.