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Occupational therapy for children

OTs supports children to build the skills they need to take part in everyday activities at home, in play, and at preschool or school.

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Helping children thrive in daily life, play and learning

Paediatric occupational therapy (OT) supports children to build the skills they need to take part in everyday activities at home, in play, and at preschool. Our occupational therapists work with families to help children become more independent with self-care, learning, movement and social interaction.

We’ll meet with you and your child to assess your child’s needs and set goals. We may also observe your child at preschool to better understand how to support them. Depending on their needs, your child may attend one-to-one or group OT sessions. These sessions are practical, fun and family-centred. We’ll also give you helpful strategies to practise at home.

Occupational therapy can help your child with:

self-care skills – dressing, eating, bathing, toileting, and sleeping
motor skills – drawing, writing, cutting, catching/throwing balls, jumping, running, and other movements
school readiness and learning – improving concentration, managing transitions, organising their belongings and increasing independence
play and social interaction – playing with others, exploring new types of play, taking turns, sharing, making and keeping friends
sensory processing – helping children with sensitivities (sensitive to sounds, smells, textures, movement or messy play) to participate in daily tasks

We also run a Children’s feet and leg clinics who are late to crawl or walk or have difficulty running.

More Information

Who is this for?

Children aged from birth to school entry who have mild to moderate developmental concerns. Children who are eligible to receive services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are not eligible for this service.

Services are located at our Bell St and West Heidelberg locations. We accept children who live or attend kinder/early learning in the local government areas of Merri-bek and Banyule.

Priority is given to low-income families, and families experiencing hardships.

What do I need to do?

You need a referral to use this service. We accept referrals from parents and professionals.

For further information or to book an appointment at Coburg or Fawkner, call 1300 637 744.

For further information or to book an appointment at West Heidelberg, call 03 9450 2000.

How much will it cost?

Some of our services are free and some have a small cost. You can ask for further information on your eligibility and costs when you book your appointment. Please note – our fees are not covered by private insurance.