Frequently Asked Questions (Faq)

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 Occupational therapy (OT) is like a superpower for everyday activities! It helps kids (and adults) get better at the things they need or want to do every day—like writing, getting dressed, playing with friends, or even brushing their teeth.

Imagine you’re learning to do something new or facing a challenge that makes it tricky. An occupational therapist is like a guide who helps you break things down into small, fun steps, using games and activities to make it easier. Whether it's improving motor skills, figuring out how to focus, or finding ways to stay calm when everything feels overwhelming, OT is all about helping you be your best self in the world around you!

We service a large portion of SA actually - we frequent in the Northern and Western suburbs as well as well as the Adelaide Hills. If that doesn't suit, please do contact us to place an enquiry regarding other locations. We are very open to those conversations, and we might be able to fit you in just nicely.

In terms of clinic-based sessions, watch this space!

First, let's touch base over the phone to break the ice! You can utilise our "refer" link to book a free-15 minute consultation phone call, and indicate your preferences of time/day for the initial appointment. Remember, this needs to be confirmed so let's call it "tentative".

Then, the initial assessment will last approximately 90 minutes. We will chat through a comprehensive history as well as chat through the clients current presentation. We will aim to paint a really clear picture of what life looks like your you and the client. We will chat about goals and service preferences. We must go through Roles & Goals Therapy Services policies, and the service agreemnt. 

For a paediatric (child) session, your child will engage in activities designed to address their specific needs and goals. The therapist will typically:

• Begin with an introduction or warm-up activity to build rapport and help the child feel comfortable
• Engage in hands-on activities that target the child’s developmental areas of concern
• Provide feedback and guidance, adjusting activities to meet the child's needs
• Discuss strategies and techniques that can be practiced at home or in other settings
• Collaborate with you (the parent or caregiver) to ensure therapy is aligned with your child’s daily routines and activities.

For an adult session, they will work with the therapist on activities and strategies designed to address the specific goals and challenges. The session typically involves:

• Discussion of your concerns and goals to better understand your needs and how therapy can support you, incuding review how the last week has been for you.
• Targeted activities that focuse on improving your physical, cognitive, or emotional abilities, depending on your goals. These may include exercises to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, enhance daily living skills, or manage stress.
• Therapeutic feedback during the activities, offering feedback to ensure you’re performing tasks correctly and effectively.
• You will learn strategies, exercises, and techniques to practice between sessions, helping you apply the therapy to your everyday life and make lasting progress.
• If needed, the therapist will work with your family, caregivers, or healthcare providers to ensure therapy is integrated into your routine and is aligned with your personal and functional goals.

First of all, we totally get it! Sometimes, therapy can feel a little overwhelming or just not that exciting at first. But don’t worry—we’re all about making it fun and personalized for our clients! 

Here are a few things we try to make sure therapy is a positive experience:

• Fun, Play-Based Activities: We use games and activities that your child already enjoys. Whether it’s building with blocks, playing with toys, or creative arts and crafts, therapy feels more like playtime than work time!
• Involve Interests: If your child/client loves animals, sports, or a certain TV show, we’ll bring those interests into therapy. When we make activities relevant to what they love, they’re more likely to engage and have fun.
• Gentle Introductions: We start slow, letting the client explore at their own pace. There’s no rush—building comfort is key.
• Positive Reinforcement: We celebrate even the small wins! Whether it's mastering a new skill or simply trying something new, we like to make sure our clients feels proud of their progress.
• Collaboration: We work closely with our clients, their relevant informal and formal support networks to understand their needs, so we can tailor the experience. You know them best, and together, we’ll create a therapy plan that makes them feel supported and confident.

We believe that every person is unique, and our goal is to make therapy something they look forward to, not something they dread. With a little patience and creativity, we'll help them see therapy as a fun and helpful adventure!

What a question! There can definitely  be overlap in the areas of social skills development, life skills training, and adaptive strategies, especially when both professionals work as part of a multidisciplinary team - there is nothing wrong with team work!

Developmental Educators (DEs) focus on helping individuals with developmental disabilities learn and grow through structured support, teaching life skills, and promoting social integration.

Ocupational Therapists (OTs) work to improve an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks and "occupations" (including self-care, work, or leisure activities), using interventions that address both physical and cognitive barriers.

While both roles are centered around improving quality of life, OTs tend to focus more on functional independence in daily tasks and physical abilities, whereas DEs are more focused on developmental and educational growth.dd an answer to this item. It's so important to understand the therapeutic goals so that you can determine which service is more effective for your client. 

That's no worries at all - there are multiple avenues to access private sessions or with a subsidy.  You can utilise our "refer" link to book a free-15 minute consultation phone call - let's chat more and get the right supports in place to set you up right from the start!