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 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 team of qualified OTs provides help for 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.
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 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.
Some children require more than encouragement or repetition. They benefit from personalised, step-by-step guidance that develops the foundations of each task. It’s not about pushing harder, but about learning differently.
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
Our process starts with a friendly, play-focused assessment that looks at your child’s abilities, difficulties, and how they engage in everyday activities. From this, we aim to identify the right areas for support and tailor an approach to fit your child.
2. Setting Individual Goals
Once we know how your child is going, we work together to create goals that matter most to your family. This could mean learning to manage buttons, improving play, navigating transitions, or staying attentive at school. We break these down into small, achievable steps that build momentum over time.
As we create goals, we look at your child’s age, developmental stage, and daily routines, making sure the plan is achievable, relevant, and aligned with the way they learn.
3. Engaging, Evidence-Based Therapy
At Chatterbox, our therapy sessions are:
- Adapted to your child’s individual needs, preferences, and approach to learning
- Grounded in evidence-based strategies and current research
- Focused on building strengths while addressing challenges
- Designed to promote confidence, independence, and active 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 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
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 take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based 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
- We provide occupational therapy through face-to-face sessions as well as virtual options
- We’re a team of experienced therapists who genuinely care
All of this is included in what we provide, but do you know the most important reason?
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?
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.
At Chatterbox, sessions run for either 60 or 90 minutes. We provide weekly therapy in keeping with the research, with the flexibility to add extra sessions or intensives – ideal for school holidays or focusing on a specific skill.
How long will my child need OT?
It depends on factors such as your child’s age, goals, needs, and response to therapy. Following the initial assessment and early sessions, your OT will give you a better understanding.
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?
Each of our therapists is registered with Occupational Therapy Australia, bringing qualifications, experience, and a passion for supporting children through evidence-based, family-focused 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.
Because of our strong teamwork, your child’s goals and progress are never lost in transition. In fact, meeting with another clinician at times may boost flexibility and confidence, helping your child use their skills with different people, just as they do every day.
Do you offer online OT?
Yes – we offer Occupational Therapy both in-clinic appointments and online through Telehealth Occupational Therapy. Online therapy is especially helpful for busy parents, children who are most at ease at home, or families living further away in rural or 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?
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 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.