Occupational Therapy can support your child to develop skills, build independence and participate in everyday activities that are meaningful to them.
Could your child benefit from some support around self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing or motor skills? Perhaps you’d like to help them dress independently for school, deal with big feelings, or connect with other kids? Our Occupational Therapy team support children to develop skills, build independence and participate in everyday activities that are meaningful to them.
This may include support with self-care skills such as dressing, toileting, eating and mealtimes, and sleep routines. OTs can also support fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, play and participation at school.
Each child is unique
Our Occupational Therapists work collaboratively with kids and families to understand each child's individual strengths, interests, preferences, needs and goals.
Many of the children we work with have an autism diagnosis or developmental differences, however no diagnosis is required to attend CliniKids.
Support is tailored to each child and their family, with a focus on providing personalised strategies and support to build independence, confidence and participation in activities at home, school and in the community that are meaningful to your family.
Would my child benefit from OT?
Your child may benefit from Paediatric Occupational Therapy if they experience challenges in any of these areas:
- Self-care skills e.g. dressing, undressing, toileting, eating meals, showering, sleep, brushing teeth
- Fine motor skills e.g. handwriting, cutting, using fork and knife, threading beads, tying shoelaces, doing up buttons
- Gross motor skills e.g. walking, running, skipping, kicking a ball, throwing and catching, sitting in a chair, riding a bike
- Play and social connection
- Visual motor skills required for reading and writing
- Sensory processing e.g. being sensitive (avoiding) or being under responsive (seeking) to noise, smell, light, taste, touch and/ or movement
- Emotional regulation and behaviour
- Skills required for school participation e.g. attention, concentration, homework
Sensory processing differences
Some children, including those with autism or developmental differences, may be more sensitive to sensory experiences such as noise, light, touch, taste, smell or movement, while others may seek particular sensory experiences.
CliniKids Occupational Therapists can support your family to better understand your child's individual sensory preferences and how these may influence their participation in everyday activities.
Your OT will then work with your child and family to identify strategies or adapt the environment to support their individual needs.
Support for emotional regulation
Your Occupational Therapist can support your child and family to better understand emotional regulation and the factors that may influence how a child responds to different situations and experiences.
This may include exploring a child's sensory preferences, environment, routines and everyday activities to identify what helps them feel comfortable, supported and regulated.
Your OT may suggest calming activities your child can use to help them regulate.
They may also work with you as a parent or caregiver to develop co-regulation strategies, helping you recognise and respond to your child's emotional needs. You’ll also be empowered to support them to gradually develop their own regulation skills.
Fine motor skills & gross motor skills
Our Occupational Therapists can support children with fine motor and gross motor skills used in everyday activities. This may include holding and using writing tools, handwriting, drawing, using scissors, throwing and catching, balancing, or riding a scooter or bike.
Everyday self-care skills
Developing independence with everyday activities is an important area of paediatric Occupational Therapy.
Your OT can support your child with activities such as dressing and undressing, toileting, mealtimes, showering, brushing their teeth and sleep routines.
They may also recommend changes to an activity or environment, such as adapting seating or cutlery, to support a child's independence.
Request an OT appointment
What to expect in an Occupational Therapy session
Occupational Therapy sessions may involve:
- Play-based activities
- Practising everyday skills
- Exploring sensory preferences
- Identifying practical strategies to support participation.
Your Occupational Therapist may also suggest adjustments to activities, routines or environments to better support a child's individual needs.
OT also typically involves the use of standardised and non-standardised assessments, goal setting, intervention and ongoing review of your child’s progress.
In addition to working closely with parents and caregivers, Occupational Therapists can also work in collaboration with teachers and other health professionals.
I've got questions
Check out the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions below. Want to ask something else? Contact us on 08 6319 1133 or at clinikids.reception@thekids.org.au and one of our friendly Client Support Officers will be able to assist you.
How do I know if my child may benefit from seeing an Occupational Therapist?
Children may benefit from Occupational Therapy when everyday activities are tricky or they need additional support to participate in the things they want and need to do.
This may include activities such as getting dressed, toileting, eating and mealtimes, handwriting, using cutlery, tying shoelaces, playing, moving their body or participating at school or daycare. Some children may also benefit from support with sensory differences, emotional regulation or co-regulation, such as managing overwhelming sensory experiences, navigating transitions or participating in activities they may find challenging or avoid.
Occupational Therapists look at the whole child, their environment and the activities that are important to them and their family. They can assist with identifying what may be making participation more challenging and work with children and families to develop practical strategies that support everyday life.
If you’re wondering whether your child may benefit from Occupational Therapy, you can contact CliniKids to learn more about our Occupational Therapy services and how to get started.
Can a CliniKids Occupational Therapist support my autistic child?
Yes. CliniKids Occupational Therapists can support autistic children and their families across a range of everyday activities and participation needs.
Support may include understanding a child's individual sensory preferences and needs, adapting environments, developing self-care or motor skills, and supporting emotional regulation and co-regulation.
Our Occupational Therapists work collaboratively with children and families to identify practical strategies that build on each child's strengths and support their participation in meaningful activities at home, school and in the community.
Can Occupational Therapy support my child at school?
Yes. Occupational Therapy can support skills that children use to participate in school and learning.
Depending on your child's individual needs, this may include support with handwriting and fine motor skills, attention and concentration, sitting and positioning, sensory needs or completing everyday school activities.
CliniKids Occupational Therapists may also collaborate with teachers and other professionals involved in your child's support. Where appropriate, occasional school visits may be arranged to observe your child in their learning environment and liaise with educators to identify practical strategies. CliniKids does not provide ongoing school-based Occupational Therapy sessions.
Do parents and caregivers take part in Occupational Therapy sessions?
Yes. Parents and caregivers play an important role in their child's Occupational Therapy support.
Depending on your child's individual needs and goals, a CliniKids Occupational Therapist may work directly with your child, with you as their parent or caregiver, or with you together.
Your Occupational Therapist may also share practical ideas, resources and strategies that can be naturally incorporated into everyday activities and routines. Family involvement is about working together to understand what is important to your child and family, and finding meaningful ways to support independence and participation in everyday life.
Do CliniKids Occupational Therapists work with other allied health professionals?
Yes. CliniKids Occupational Therapists can work collaboratively with our Speech Pathologists and Psychologists to provide multidisciplinary support where appropriate.
This approach allows our clinicians to consider different aspects of a child's development, communication, participation and wellbeing when supporting the child and their family.
Where can I find paediatric Occupational Therapy in Perth?
CliniKids provides Occupational Therapy for kids at our Subiaco and Joondalup clinics in Perth.
Our Occupational Therapists support children and families across a range of everyday activities, including self-care, motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, play and school participation.
If you're looking for OT in Perth, our Client Support team can provide information about Occupational Therapy services.
Does CliniKids offer online or in-person Occupational Therapy?
CliniKids Occupational Therapy services are available in person at our Subiaco and Joondalup clinics. Selected services may also be available via telehealth, depending on the service and your child's individual support needs.
Our Client Support team can provide information about the options currently available when you enquire.
How many Occupational Therapy sessions will my child need?
The number and frequency of Occupational Therapy sessions will vary depending on your child's individual support needs, goals and circumstances. There is no set number of sessions, as support is tailored to each child and family.
Your Occupational Therapist will work with you to identify appropriate goals and regularly review your child's progress and support needs.
How do I access a CliniKids Occupational Therapist?
To enquire about seeing a CliniKids Occupational Therapist, submit an online enquiry. Got questions? Our Client Support team can provide information about available Occupational Therapy services and help you understand the next steps.
Is CliniKids a registered NDIS provider for Occupational Therapy?
Yes. CliniKids is a registered NDIS provider. Eligible families may be able to use NDIS funding to access Occupational Therapy services at CliniKids.
Our Client Support team can provide more information about accessing CliniKids services using your child's NDIS funding.
What funding options does CliniKids accept for Occupational Therapy services?
CliniKids accepts payment options including NDIS and private funding. Some CliniKids services may be eligible for a Medicare rebate with a valid referral or a chronic condition management plan (CCM) through your GP. Families may also be able to claim clinical Occupational Therapy through their private health insurance, depending on their level of cover.
Our Client Support team can provide more information about funding and payment options when you enquire about seeing a CliniKids Occupational Therapist.
What is CliniKids?
CliniKids is The Kids Research Institute Australia’s first clinical service, providing therapies and supports for young children, including those with autism and developmental delay. The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of Australia’s largest paediatric medical research institutes. At CliniKids, our team of world-class researchers and experienced clinicians work in collaboration to provide children with evidence-based therapies and programs" to avoid an unnecessary superlative.
Our clinical team provides services to both private and NDIS-funded families across paediatric speech pathology, Occupational Therapy and psychology in Perth. We support children aged up to 8 years with autism and developmental delay.
We have two locations offering psychology, Occupational Therapy and speech pathology in Perth, located at Subiaco and Joondalup. CliniKids is a registered NDIS provider. In addition, we provide webinars, our popular 60-Second Science video series and other autism resources in our Information Hub. You can find more autism resources here.