Occupational Therapy for Children
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people of all ages participate and engage in meaningful everyday activities. For children, this often means supporting fine motor skills and gross motor skills, so they can engage in play, learning and self-care.
At TSH, we bring this unique element to our group programs and also offer it as a private service at our Wembley and Cockburn clinics, helping children develop independence and thrive in activities that matter most to them.
From early childhood to primary school-aged, our occupational therapists can help with:
Early childhood and primary school:
- Fine motor skills – pencil grasp, drawing, pre-writing, handwriting, cutting and scissor skills
- Gross motor skills – running, skipping, throwing, sitting in a chair
- Participation, engagement and independence – support children to actively engage in everyday activities within the everyday environments (e.g. playgrounds or classrooms)
- Regulation – executive functioning, sensory differences and understanding body signals (e.g. hunger, thirst, tired)
- Play and socialising
At TSH, our team of highly skilled paediatric occupational therapists are all registered with APRHA and bring extensive experience working with children across a wide range of diagnoses, including developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder and more.
In addition to this broad expertise, our therapists have specialised training in supporting children with hearing loss and language difficulties, ensuring a holistic approach to each child’s unique needs.
Our experienced team believes supporting children from a young age is important to help them do the things they need to do and want to do – play with friends, go to school, enjoy a hobby, and participate in activities that are meaningful to them.
TSH occupational therapy services
Our experienced paediatric occupational therapists (OTs) work closely with families to create individualised treatment plans that support your child’s development. We focus on building fine and gross motor skills, breaking down day-to-day tasks, and promoting overall participation, engagement and independence in home, school and play environments.
To make therapy engaging and effective, we use evidence-based practices and child-friendly activities – including sessions in our specialised OT gym. These sessions are designed to support fundamental movement skills, balance, motor planning, and strength development in a fun and motivating environment.
TSH offers fee-for-service occupational therapy assessments for children – no referral needed. You may also be eligible to use your NDIS plan, Medicare Care Plan, or private health insurance (if occupational therapy is covered).
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What our services include
At TSH, our occupational therapy (OT) services are designed to support your child’s development in a holistic and engaging way. Here’s what we offer:
- Individual therapy sessions with your child and parent/caregiver, including coaching for parents on strategies and supports to continue progress at home.
- Comprehensive assessments covering fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory differences, handwriting, self-care skills, play skills and self-regulation.
- Collaboration and consultation with parents/caregivers, and external professionals such as daycare staff, teachers, and other allied health providers to ensure consistent support across environments.
- Skill-building strategies to help children develop new abilities for participation, engagement and independence in daily routines.
- Access to our specialised OT gym* at the Wembley campus, designed by our occupational therapists to be fun, play-based and engaging – where children can develop their movement skills, core strength, balance and coordination. *Chat with our team to schedule a session during available gym times.
- Evidence-based and child-friendly interventions tailored to your child’s unique needs and goals.
Occupational therapy services are available at our Wembley and Cockburn clinics, with flexible scheduling options to accommodate your family’s needs.
What are the signs a child may need occupational therapy?
Toddlers (1–3 years)
- Becoming easily overwhelmed by noise or busy places
- Short attention during play, often throwing toys instead of playing with them
- Challenges in copying actions (e.g. stacking blocks, banging objects)
- Lack of interest in scribbling and drawing
- Avoids certain textures or becomes upset during dressing or bathing
- Delayed walking, climbing, or coordination compared to peers
Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- Struggles with holding crayons, drawing simple shapes, or using scissors
- Difficulty dressing independently (buttons, zippers)
- Overreacts to loud noises or messy play, or seeks excessive movement
- Trouble sitting still or following simple routines
- School Kindy readiness
Early School Age (5-7 years)
- Having big reactions to small problems and struggling to calm down
- Difficulty transitioning from home to school, or within the school environment
- Difficulty holding a pencil and/or trouble forming letters
- Frequently tripping over and needing support to learn jumping, hopping, skipping and ball skills
- Difficulty focusing at school and organising belongings
Older Primary (7+ years)
- Persistent handwriting difficulties despite practice
- Trouble organizing schoolwork or completing tasks independently
- Avoids sports or physical activities due to coordination challenges
- Ongoing sensory differences (e.g., clothing tags, food textures)
Getting started with TSH occupational therapy
Taking the first step towards your child’s participation and independence is simple
- Contact TSH for an initial discussion and waitlist confirmation
- TSH will arrange an assessment
- Meet with our team to discuss support options
- Access our integrated support services
Frequently asked questions
If you’re concerned about any aspect of your child’s motor skills or development, trust your instincts. Early assessment can identify whether your child would benefit from support and prevent potential challenges from becoming more significant.
The duration of therapy varies greatly depending on your child’s specific needs, age, and the nature of their challenges. After the initial assessment, your occupational therapist will discuss recommendations to best support your child’s ongoing therapy.
Our occupational therapists are experts at creating engaging, play-based therapy experiences that children enjoy in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Family involvement is essential for effective therapy outcomes. We use a coaching model that empowers you to implement strategies in everyday situations, maximising your child’s progress. Your occupational therapist will provide clear guidance on how to support your child between sessions.
While they can both help your child’s physical abilities and quality of life, OT is more function-based, looking at the function of meaningful movement while physiotherapy addresses issues with biomechanics, injury and rehabilitation.
No referral is required for our occupational therapy services. However, if you have a referral from your GP, healthcare provider, or specialist, please bring it to your appointment as it may be of assistance.
Our team can provide guidance on available options for your situation.
As outlined by the Australian Education Research Organisation, some children may be more or less sensitive to noises, lighting, the visual environment, temperature, smell, taste or touch. These responses may be described as sensory differences, and may indicate that children have a different way of responding to sensory information.
Got a question?
If you want to make an enquiry about a TSH service or program, please get in touch with our friendly team today. We also welcome enquiries from potential TSH partners.