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Help with everyday skills, fine motor development, sensory regulation, play and school readiness.
Information
What occupational therapy involves
Common when a child struggles with self-care, handwriting, coordination or sensory responses.
Supports are usually delivered as short blocks of sessions with clear goals, and often include coaching so parents and carers can practise strategies in everyday routines. Delivery may be in a clinic, at home, at kinder or school, in the community, or by telehealth.
When families commonly seek this support
Concerns raised at a maternal and child health check, kinder or school
Progress that seems different to other children of a similar age
Daily routines that are consistently difficult for the child or family
A referral from a GP, paediatrician or support coordinator
Questions worth asking a provider
What experience do you have with children of my child's age and needs?
How do you involve parents and carers between sessions?
What is your current wait time, and how is availability updated?
TK Victorian Providers/Thrivingkidsvic.au is an independent platform associated with Qaswa.au. We are not a Victorian Government, Australian Government, NDIA or NDIS website, and we do not administer the Thriving Kids program.
Published 4 October 2026Last reviewed 4 October 2026
Occupational Therapy for Children: A Practical Guide for Families and Referrers
Occupational therapy for children focuses on helping children participate in the everyday activities that matter to them. These activities can include getting dressed, eating, playing, communicating, learning, managing routines, using classroom tools and joining in with family or community activities.
Paediatric occupational therapy is therefore broader than fine motor exercises. An occupational therapist looks at the child, the activity and the environment to understand what may be making participation difficult.
What Does a Paediatric Occupational Therapist Do?
Depending on the child's needs, an occupational therapist may support:
The goals should be individual to the child rather than based on a one-size-fits-all program.
fine motor skills
handwriting and classroom participation
dressing and personal care
feeding-related routines within the therapist's scope
play skills
sensory processing and regulation
transitions and routines
motor planning
independence with everyday activities
participation at childcare, kindergarten or school
environmental or task adaptations
strategies for parents, carers and educators
When Might a Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Families may seek OT when a child has difficulty with everyday activities such as:
A child may also benefit from OT when developmental differences affect independence or participation.
A provider may begin with an assessment, parent discussion and observation. The therapist may look at the child's abilities, environment, routines and goals.
Support can occur in:
Some providers use everyday activities as the context for intervention so that strategies are easier to carry into family life.
clinics
homes
childcare or kindergarten
schools
community settings
individual sessions
group programs
telehealth for suitable services
Occupational Therapy and Thriving Kids
Current Australian Government Thriving Kids information specifically identifies occupational therapy as an example of targeted allied health support. The program is being rolled out progressively, and local services may differ. Australian Government Thriving Kids
Victoria's current information also says targeted allied health support will help children build everyday skills and independence, with staged delivery beginning in six initial Victorian locations. Victorian Government Thriving Kids
For Referrers
A useful OT referral can describe the functional issue rather than only naming a diagnosis.
For example:
Include relevant strengths, routines, environments and family goals.
difficulty participating in morning routines
challenges with dressing
fine motor difficulties affecting classroom tasks
difficulty joining play
sensory differences affecting participation
difficulty managing transitions
For Occupational Therapy Providers
An online provider listing should clearly explain:
age groups
areas of OT practice
service locations
mobile or clinic options
childcare and school availability
referral process
approach to family involvement
accessibility
current service areas
Choosing a Paediatric OT
Families can ask whether the therapist has experience with their child's age and goals, where sessions occur, how parents are involved, how progress is discussed and whether the provider works collaboratively with educators or other professionals.
Occupational Therapy in the Victorian Thriving Kids Context
Victoria says targeted allied health support through Thriving Kids will help children build everyday skills and independence, with staged delivery beginning in six initial sites: Bendigo, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Loddon, Maribyrnong and Melton.
Everyday skills OT may support
Depending on the child's needs, OT may focus on:
Victorian government information also shows how allied health professionals such as occupational therapists work with educators and families in other child-development settings.
dressing and self-care
fine motor skills
play
school participation
routines and transitions
sensory differences affecting participation
coordination and motor planning
independence in everyday activities
For Victorian referrers
Describe the functional activity that is difficult rather than relying only on a diagnostic label. For example, explain whether the concern affects dressing, mealtimes, classroom participation, play, transitions or other routines.
For Victorian providers
Clearly identify whether you provide clinic, home, kindergarten, school, community or telehealth services, and which Victorian areas you cover. This is particularly useful as Thriving Kids support rolls out through local delivery sites.
TK Victorian Providers/Thrivingkidsvic.au is an independent platform associated with Qaswa.au. We are not a Victorian Government, Australian Government, NDIA or NDIS website, and we do not administer the Thriving Kids program.
Independent Victorian providers offering services in this category. Availability and response data is shown where measured.
WK
WONDER KIDS OT
Verified information
Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology • Early Childhood Development Support • Supported Playgroups & Group Programs • Assistive Technology • Capacity Building & Everyday Skills
Our occupational therapy services are designed to help children develop essential life and developmental skills through personalized and evidence-based therapy. We focus on improving fine motor skills, sensory processing, attention, self-regulation, and daily living abilities while supporting children in becoming more independent and confident through engaging and child-friendly therapy sessions.
Dandenong
Telehealth available
Ages 0-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 13+ years
Response time not yet measured
Accepting enquiriesNDIS services offeredPrivate payment acceptedMedicare rebate may apply
New listing · Availability updated recently · Profile 70% complete
Speech Pathology • Developmental Assessments • Early Childhood Development Support • Parent & Family Support • Family Support Services • Supported Playgroups & Group Programs • Assistive Technology • Capacity Building & Everyday Skills • Help Navigating Support Pathways
At The OT Group, our paediatric allied health team delivers integrated Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech Pathology services across Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, and regional Victoria. We provide goal-directed, evidence-based, and neuroaffirming supports across home, clinic, early learning centre, and school environments to build capacity and empower children to achieve independence and active participation.
We focus on helping children develop the skills they need to grow into functional, independent adults. We support children to address challenges associated with sensory, motor, social and emotional development which can impact a child's ability to perform everyday tasks, engage in meaningful activities and perform at school.
Our Occupational Therapists support children to develop the functional skills required for everyday activities, play, and learning:
Fine & Gross Motor Skills: Strengthening hand function, dexterity, posture, coordination, handwriting, and physical play skills.
Sensory Processing & Self-Regulation: Supporting sensory modulation and emotional regulation so children can comfortably engage and focus in various environments.
Independence & Daily Living Skills: Developing self-care routines, personal independence, and practical life skills.
Executive Functioning & School Readiness: Building organisation, planning, attention, task completion, and social participation skills
Our Speech Pathologists evaluate and support all facets of communication, literacy, and mealtime safety:
Early Intervention & Language Development: Assessing and treating expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language skills in early childhood and school-aged children.
Speech Sound & Articulation: Improving speech clarity, articulation, phonological sound production, and fluency.
Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC): Assessing, prescribing, and trialling low-tech and high-tech AAC devices using a total communication and neuroaffirming approach.
Literacy & Phonics Support: Conducting phonological awareness and literacy assessments to deliver evidence-based reading, writing, and spelling instruction.
Paediatric Feeding & Swallowing: Evaluating oral motor mechanics, drinking, and mealtime safety to provide interventions for eating and swallowing challenges.
Clinics in Bendigo
Telehealth available
Ages 0-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 13+ years
Response time not yet measured
Accepting enquiriesNDIS services offeredNDIS registeredPrivate payment acceptedMedicare rebate may apply
New listing · Availability updated recently · Profile 70% complete
Capacity Building & Everyday Skills • Early Childhood Development Support • Assistive Technology • Family Support Services • Parent & Family Support • Developmental Assessments
At SdW Therapy Services, therapy is never a battle. We believe real progress starts with connection—not forcing a child to sit still, behave, or perform.
When your child feels safe, understood, and regulated, that's when the magic happens! Through play and positive relationships, we help kids build essential skills like emotional regulation, confidence, and active engagement.
Most importantly, we work right alongside you. You're an essential part of the journey, and we're here to make sure you feel supported, confident, and empowered every step of the way.
Melton
In person only
Ages 0-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years
Response time not yet measured
Accepting enquiriesNDIS services offeredPrivate payment acceptedMedicare rebate may apply
New listing · Availability updated recently · Profile 70% complete
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