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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Here at Chatterbox, therapy sessions are designed to be:
- Customised for your child’s unique requirements, likes, and learning style
- Backed by evidence-based approaches and contemporary research
- Structured to enhance abilities and support areas of difficulty
- 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
Your role in your child’s progress is vital, which is why we ensure you feel supported throughout. Rather than only sharing strategies, we guide you in applying them in daily life at home, in routines, or when challenges arise.
We work alongside children and their families, because supporting you means supporting your child.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
In each session, we monitor your child’s progress so we can adapt goals, activities, and strategies to suit their current needs. This way, therapy remains meaningful, practical, and within reach for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We use a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach.
- We set family-centred goals and tailor therapy plans 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
- A team of caring, knowledgeable therapists with real experience supports your child
We offer all this, yet the greatest reason goes beyond. Want to hear it?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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 will see the same therapist each week, someone who builds a strong, trusting relationship with your child and gets to know how they learn 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?
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?
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?
Right now, we don’t have a waiting list, so your child can get started immediately. Because timely access is so important, we’ve focused on keeping the process simple and quick for families.
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.