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.
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?
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.
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
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
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.
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:
- Personalised to suit your child’s specific needs, interests, and way of learning
- Rooted in best-practice methods and up-to-date research
- Created to harness strengths and work on areas that may benefit from improvement
- Designed to promote confidence, independence, and active participation
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 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 don’t just work with children, we commit to families. Because when you feel supported, your child does too.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
During every session, we keep track of your child’s development and refine goals, activities, and strategies to fit their needs. This makes therapy continually relevant, achievable, and supportive for both your child and your family.
Why Families Choose Chatterbox
We take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach.
- Our therapy plans are guided by family-centred goals and customised 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
- 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?
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.
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, 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?
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.
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?
All our therapists are qualified, experienced, and registered with Occupational Therapy Australia. They’re passionate about helping children thrive through evidence-based, family-friendly care.
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?
There are several ways to access funding for OT, including NDIS, Medicare, and private health rebates. You can learn more about your funding options here.
Is there a waiting list?
The good news is there’s no waitlist at the moment, meaning your child can start without unnecessary delays. We know early access matters, so we prioritise making therapy available as smoothly and promptly as we can.
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 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.