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.
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.
If your child has difficulty sitting still, managing handwriting or coordination, is sensitive to certain textures or clothing, or simply needs support with daily routines, we’re ready to assist.
Why Might My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Children also have occupations, similar to adults. Their daily ‘work’ involves growing, learning, playing, and interacting with others, but for some kids, these tasks can be tougher than they should be.
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.
Many parents hope their child will eventually catch up, but often these difficulties don’t go away by themselves. It’s not about a lack of effort; it’s about missing the essential skills that make tasks possible. Without proper support, daily activities may become more difficult and discouraging. As kids grow, expectations rise both at school and at home. That’s why early intervention is so important. By building strong foundations from the start, your child has the opportunity to thrive and avoid bigger challenges later. The positive news? Occupational therapy aims to provide that support.
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
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
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
Chatterbox therapy sessions are:
- Tailored to your child’s unique needs, preferences, and learning style
- Backed by evidence-based approaches and contemporary 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.
We work alongside children and their families, because supporting you means supporting your child.
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 practice follows a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-focused approach.
- Therapy is shaped around family-centred goals and individually tailored to your child
- We make sessions fun, engaging, and grounded in real life
- Our team helps children grow across different areas of development under one roof
- Our occupational therapy services are available both in person and online
- A team of caring, knowledgeable therapists with real experience supports your child
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?
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.
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?
Your therapist will suggest a schedule guided by up-to-date research and your child’s individual needs. In most cases, steady and consistent therapy brings the best outcomes.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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 Bella Vista primarily support people from surrounding suburbs including Bella Vista, Norwest, Kellyville, Stanhope Gardens, Glenwood, Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills, Seven Hills, Castle Hill, and Kings Langley, our clinics are more than welcoming to anyone looking to use our services across Sydney.