Occupational therapy (OT) for children

Occupational Therapy (OT) can help kids get better at doing basic tasks, which can improve the way they interact with the world around them.

Service details

Children from birth to school age can get the help they need to reach their potential with cohealth Occupational Therapy (OT). Our vibrant, registered and qualified Occupational Therapists have extensive experience in working with babies and children.

How occupational therapy for children can help

For kids, playing is their occupation. It helps them explore the world around them, learn to interact with it and develop essential life skills that will allow them to connect with others and do things independently one day.

Some children have trouble mastering the skills that will allow them to investigate and navigate their environment on their own. They might experience issues with:

• Fine or gross motor skills (such as moving fingers to grip, or other coordination skills)
• Sensory processing (for example, how a child responds to something they touch, hear, see, feel or taste)
• Visual-perceptual skills (for example, making sense of the things they see)
• Other abilities (such as attention and concentration)

In those cases, occupational therapy can make a big difference. Children can make significant strides socially and emotionally by working with an OT.

Getting the help you need

The Occupational Therapist does an assessment with you of your baby or child’s development by observing them and  from discussions with parents, carers and other professionals about how the child manages activities such as:

• Playing and socialising – pretend play, taking turns, playing with other children and participation in group activities
• Self-care skills – sleeping, eating, dressing, bathing and organising tasks
• Learning skills – difficulty learning tasks, motor skills (drawing, cutting, pasting, climbing, using playground equipment, listening and concentration)

We then develop a plan with you to help your child master the skills they need.