The Skillbuilders Occupational Therapy team offers extensive experience, practical skills and empathy in working with children.
Their diverse range of specialties across the occupational therapy field include:
- Early intervention for babies and toddlers
- Specific therapeutic intereventions for primary and high school students experiencing difficulties at school.
- Assisting children with sensory processing difficulties affecting their behaviour, play, independence and/or general development
- Assisting familes with babies/ children with mealtime concerns
- Working with children with specific diagnoses eg. autism, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia or intellectual delay
Why do some children need occupational therapy?
Children and their families may benefit from Occupational Therapy assistance focused on the following areas of identified need:
- ‘Babies and toddlers on the go’: Early movement skills, eating skills, routines, play.
- ‘Pen to paper’: Drawing and writing difficulties, spelling, reading, and written expression. Kindy to TEE.
- ‘Fluent movement’: Coordination, balance, control.
- ‘Tricky fingers’: Fine motor difficulties and independence skills.
- ‘Getting in a muddle’: Organisational skills for in the classroom and at home.
- ‘Making sense of your senses’: Sensory processing skills for learning and everyday living.
- ‘Leaping before looking’: Concentration skills, planning, completing tasks
Occupational Therapy Services Include
Comprehensive assessment:
Our key emphasis is on the need for a thorough assessment for every child to make sure they receive the most effective and appropriate therapy programmes to suit their circumstances.
Individualised therapy
Specialised one-to-one therapy programmes help target the key issues and areas of concern for individual children, and work best with a strong level of parent involvement.
Group sessions
Small group programmes focus on a general area of development such as fine motor skills or handwriting, and are designed to be fun and motivating. These sessions are ideal as a follow up and reinforcement to individual therapy.
Fiddly Fun and Busy Hands
Extremely popular group programme designed by our Occupational Therapists. This programme runs throughout each school term and is for young children with all levels of ability, not just those with identified needs. The relaxed learning environment helps kids practice their fine motor skills in a fun and exciting way. Highly recommended for children aged 2½ to 4½ years.
Private health funds and Medicare rebates available. Hicaps and eftpos facilities. No referral is required.
Occupational Therapy services are provided either at our centre, at your home, or at your childs’ school or Day Care Centre. The decision as to where services are provided is made with parents and is based primarily on the child’s needs, also taking into account practical and logistical considerations.
Skillbuilders Occupational Therapists regularly provide information sessions and workshops for parents and/or teachers. These sessions are tailored to meet the requests of the group.