What Paediatric Occupational Therapy Actually Does
Paediatric occupational therapy supports children to develop the skills they need for everyday life - playing, learning, dressing, eating, socialising, writing, and managing their emotions. Where adult OT is often about returning to lost function, paediatric OT is mostly about building new skills at the right developmental stage.
A paediatric OT looks at how a child is functioning across home, school, and community settings. The work might involve fine motor skills (using cutlery, doing up buttons, holding a pencil), gross motor coordination (riding a bike, catching a ball), sensory processing (managing busy environments, tolerating clothing labels), or self-regulation (recovering from frustration, transitioning between activities).
It is important to know that occupational therapy does not diagnose conditions like autism or ADHD. Diagnosis involves paediatricians, psychologists, and other professionals. What an OT does is assess functional impact and provide support strategies, regardless of whether there is a formal diagnosis.
Common Reasons Families Consider a Referral
Every child develops at their own pace, and not every difficulty needs intervention. But certain patterns tend to come up frequently in paediatric OT referrals. None of these are diagnostic and none mean something is "wrong" with a child - they are simply common reasons families seek support.
- Handwriting and pencil grip difficulties that persist past Prep or Year 1, especially when other learning is on track
- Trouble with self-care milestones like dressing, toileting, or using cutlery at age-appropriate stages
- Sensory sensitivities that disrupt daily routines - intolerance of certain textures, clothing seams, loud environments, or food textures
- Difficulty with playground or sports skills - clumsiness, frequent falls, trouble keeping up with peers physically
- Big emotional reactions that seem out of proportion, especially in transitions or when routines change
- School-based challenges flagged by teachers - sitting still, finishing tasks, following multi-step instructions
- Coordination concerns noted by paediatricians, GPs, or family members
If a child has received a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, developmental delay, dyspraxia, or another condition, OT is often part of the broader support team alongside speech pathology, psychology, and educational support.
What an Initial Paediatric OT Assessment Looks Like
An initial assessment usually runs 60 to 90 minutes and is best done in the child's home or kindergarten/school where natural behaviour is easier to observe. The OT will:
- Talk with parents or carers about goals, daily routines, and current concerns
- Observe the child during play, structured tasks, and transitions
- Use standardised assessments where appropriate - tools like the Movement ABC, Sensory Profile 2, or Beery VMI depending on age and concerns
- Review reports from teachers, paediatricians, or other allied health professionals where available
- Set goals collaboratively - paediatric OT goals are most effective when they reflect what the child and family actually want to work on
After the assessment the OT writes a report summarising findings and recommendations. From there, regular sessions might be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly depending on the goals.
Funding Pathways for Children
Most paediatric OT in Australia is funded through one of three pathways:
- NDIS - The most common funding source. Children under 9 may be supported through the Early Childhood Approach. Older children typically have an NDIS plan with capacity-building or capital supports funding that can be used for OT.
- Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan - GPs can refer children with eligible chronic conditions for up to 5 sessions per year of allied health support. This includes OT.
- Private - Families can self-fund OT without any plan or referral. Health insurance extras may cover part of the cost depending on the policy.
Home Care Packages do not apply to children - those are an aged care funding stream.
What Effective Paediatric OT Looks Like
Effective paediatric OT is play-based, family-centred, and focused on real-life function. Sessions should be engaging for the child, not stressful. Strategies should fit into family life rather than feeling like an extra burden.
Look for therapists who:
- Set goals collaboratively with the child and family, not in isolation
- Explain reasoning - why a particular activity is being used, what skill it targets
- Provide home strategies so progress continues between sessions
- Communicate with school and other professionals when appropriate
- Acknowledge what is working at home and build on existing strengths
Therapy that feels like punishment or rote drilling is unlikely to be effective for a child. The best paediatric OT looks like fun, but is carefully structured to target specific skills.
How to Get a Referral Started
For NDIS participants, contact your support coordinator or plan manager and ask them to refer to an OT provider. If self-managed, you can contact a provider directly.
For Medicare-funded support, book a longer GP appointment to discuss a Chronic Disease Management Plan referral.
For private support, simply contact a paediatric OT provider in your area.
Paediatric OT at Ergo Therapy Group
Our paediatric occupational therapists work with children aged 2 to 16 across Melbourne and Western Sydney. We provide in-home and in-school assessments, and offer telehealth for follow-up sessions where appropriate. We have current capacity for new paediatric referrals, including in our South-East Melbourne and Western Melbourne teams.
To discuss a referral, call us on 0450 874 303 or email admin@ergotherapygroup.com.au. You can also submit a referral online.