occupational therapists for children

Occupational Therapists, or OT’s as they are often known as, support people to engage in occupations. For Occupational Therapists, occupations refer to activities people want to do, need to do, or are expected to do in their everyday life.

Our Occupational Therapists (OT’s) operate within the Ballarat & Melton regions. They have a focus on helping people and their families with any difficulty that affects their daily living. They look at the person, what they want to do, their environment and how they want to participate.

occupational therapists can assist with:

• Fine motor skills (such as writing, using scissors, holding cutlery or other items)
• Gross motor skills (such as throwing and catching balls, using a playground, bike riding, balance and coordination)
• Equipment prescription (such as wheelchairs, specialised strollers, shower/bath chairs just to name a few)
• Home modifications (such as ramps or bathrooms)
• Self-care skills (such as eating foods and picky eating, dressing, toileting, bathing and puberty)
• Sensory concerns (such as children that have difficulties with sound, touch, taste, vision)
• Cognitive skills (such as attention to task, memory, organizing materials in school)
• Emotional regulation (such as exploring how we might act in social situations and how to manage our emotions)
• Play skills (such as turn taking, how to play with other children, pretend play)

Occupational Therapists can support families in the home, school, kindergarten or daycare center and in the community.