occupational therapy for kids

Occupational Therapists, or OT’s as they are often known as, support people to participate in activities that they want to do, need to do, or are expected to do in their everyday life, in other words ‘occupations’. This can include self-care activities, education, leisure and social activities.

Our Occupational Therapists operate throughout the Ballarat & Melton regions and have a focus on helping people and their families with any difficulty that affects their daily living. They work with the person to assess 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, 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, organising 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 many different settings, such as the home, school, kindergarten or day-care centre and in the community, not just in the clinic.