Riverbend Children's Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Maitland 2320 (pending verification) 2320
Private
Occupational therapy delivered where children already spend their day, with home visits and school sessions across the Hunter.
Pending
Quick answer
What does a paediatric occupational therapist help with?
Paediatric occupational therapists help children participate in everyday activities that are important to them and their families. This can include play, dressing, eating routines, handwriting and fine motor tasks, sensory regulation, transitions, independence and participation at day care, preschool or school.
The focus is not simply on completing a task. Good occupational therapy looks at the child, the activity and the environment together, then works with the family and other people around the child on practical goals.
When might occupational therapy be helpful?
A family or referrer may consider occupational therapy when a child:
- finds dressing, toileting, mealtimes or other self-care routines difficult
- has difficulty with fine motor tasks such as using cutlery, drawing, buttons or scissors
- avoids or seeks particular sensory experiences in ways that affect daily participation
- has difficulty moving between activities or coping with changes in routine
- needs support joining play or everyday activities
- becomes overwhelmed in busy environments
- has challenges with attention or regulation that affect participation
- needs support preparing for preschool, kindergarten or school routines
- has developmental delay or autism and the family has functional goals
- would benefit from changes to the environment, routine or way an activity is presented
What can paediatric occupational therapy include?
Everyday skills
Building practical skills for dressing, eating, toileting, hygiene, sleep-related routines and age-appropriate independence.
Fine motor and hand skills
Supporting the skills used for play, drawing, handwriting, using tools, managing fasteners and other everyday tasks.
Sensory participation
Helping families understand how sensory experiences may affect a child's comfort, attention and participation, then developing practical strategies that fit daily life.
Play and participation
Supporting a child's ability to participate in play, family routines, community activities and learning environments.
Transitions and school readiness
Helping children and families prepare for changes such as starting preschool or school, moving between activities or managing new routines.
Environmental adaptations
Working with families and educators to adjust tasks, routines or environments so that participation becomes more achievable.
Where can child occupational therapy happen?
Depending on the provider, support may be delivered in:
- clinics
- homes
- day care
- preschool or kindergarten
- schools
- community settings
- telehealth
- mobile or outreach services
Support in everyday settings can help the therapist understand what is happening in the places where the child actually lives, learns and plays.
For families: choosing an occupational therapist
Look for a provider whose experience fits the child's functional goals. Useful questions can include:
- What age groups do you support?
- Do you work with the concern we are seeking help for?
- Do you offer home, preschool, school or community visits?
- How do you involve parents and carers?
- Can you work with educators or other clinicians where appropriate?
- What is your current availability?
- Do you provide assessments, therapy, parent coaching or a combination?
- What funding or payment options do you accept?
For referrers
A useful referral explains what the child is finding difficult in everyday life, what strengths are already present, what the family wants to improve and where the challenge is occurring. Instead of writing only that a child needs OT, describe the functional concern, for example:
- difficulty participating in dressing and morning routines
- challenges using cutlery at meals
- fine motor difficulties affecting preschool tasks
- sensory responses affecting participation in a busy classroom
- difficulty transitioning between activities
Clear referral information helps the occupational therapist determine fit sooner.
Occupational therapy and Thriving Kids NSW
Current NSW guidance says targeted Thriving Kids supports will include allied health therapies delivered by qualified clinicians. National Thriving Kids guidance specifically identifies occupational therapy among the disciplines relevant to targeted supports.
Thriving Kids is intended to support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs, together with their families, carers and kin.
Exact referral, intake and provider commissioning arrangements are still being implemented in NSW.
For the latest official program information, see the NSW Department of Communities and Justice Thriving Kids page.
Listing on ThrivingKidsNSW.au does not mean a provider has been approved, contracted or commissioned by the NSW Government.
Occupational Therapy listings on ThrivingKidsNSW.au
1 listings in this category, 0 currently accepting referrals.
For NSW child development providers
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Occupational therapy Thriving Kids readiness
NSW is developing its Thriving Kids delivery model and has confirmed targeted allied health supports. DCJ has also stated that it is exploring options for a private allied health practitioner panel.
OT practices can prepare by strengthening child-development service pages, making referral pathways clear, documenting geographic coverage, clarifying capacity and keeping information current for families and professional referrers.
This does not guarantee future participation in the program. Official participation will depend on NSW Government procurement, commissioning and eligibility requirements.
Help NSW families and referrers find your OT practice
Add your occupational therapy business and show where you work, what you support, how services are delivered and whether you are currently accepting referrals.
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