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.
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 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.
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?
Just like adults, children have occupations of their own. Their main ‘work’ is to learn, grow, play, and engage with their surroundings, yet sometimes that work doesn’t come easily.
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.
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
Getting started with OT can feel like a big leap, but we make it easier. From the very beginning, we focus on keeping the experience positive, supportive, and family-friendly:
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
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.
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:
- Adapted to your child’s individual needs, preferences, and approach to learning
- Rooted in best-practice methods and up-to-date research
- Structured to enhance abilities and support areas of difficulty
- 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
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.
It’s not just about children; it’s about families too. When parents feel supported, children thrive.
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 take a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach.
- We create family-focused goals and adapt therapy plans for your child
- Sessions are kept fun, engaging, and closely linked to daily life
- We support multiple areas of development all in one place
- Our occupational therapy services are available both in person and online
- Our team is made up of skilled therapists who truly care
These things matter, but would you like to know the biggest reason of all?
The reason families trust Chatterbox is simple: they know their child is in safe hands with therapists who don’t just offer therapy, but truly care.
What’s the Next Step?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are therapy goals set?
Together with you, we establish goals that prioritise your child’s wellbeing, independence, and life skills. We then divide big goals into smaller, practical steps, helping your child grow in confidence and celebrate progress along the way.
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?
A schedule will be recommended by your clinician, drawing on current evidence and what works best for your child. Typically, ongoing and consistent therapy supports stronger progress.
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?
How long this takes depends on several things – your child’s age, their needs, their goals, and how they engage with therapy. Your OT will outline this more clearly after the assessment and first 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?
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.
Each week, your child works with the same therapist, who takes the time to build trust and understand their individual learning style.
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 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 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?
Families can access OT funding in different ways, including through NDIS, Medicare, and private health rebates. More details on 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?
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.