North Eastern Melbourne Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Paediatric occupational therapy is an area of occupational therapy focused on helping children and young people develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities, learning, play and social life. Occupational therapists work with children to identify barriers to participation and develop targeted, evidence-based strategies to support development, independence and wellbeing.
At Physio Inq, our paediatric occupational therapists work with children in the environments where they spend their time; at home, in school, in childcare settings and in the community. Delivering therapy in familiar, real-world environments makes it more engaging for children and more immediately applicable to the routines that matter most.
Our paediatric OTs have experience working with children across a wide range of developmental and disability needs and work closely with families, teachers and other allied health professionals to ensure therapy is consistent, well-coordinated and meaningful.
What our paediatric occupational therapists can help with:
- Fine motor skills, including handwriting, cutting and self-care tasks
- Sensory processing differences and sensory integration
- Self-care skills, including dressing, eating and personal hygiene
- Play skills and social participation
- Emotional regulation and behavioural strategies
- Cognitive skills, including attention, memory and organisation
- School readiness and classroom participation
- Assistive technology and equipment recommendations
- Home and school environment modification
- NDIS functional capacity assessments for children
- Support for children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and developmental delay
Treatment plans are developed in partnership with the child’s family and, where relevant, their school and allied health team.
How We Deliver Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Physio Inq delivers paediatric occupational therapy across three service channels, ensuring children can access support wherever they feel most comfortable and where therapy will be most effective.
In Your Home
Home-based paediatric OT allows therapy to take place in the environment where children spend most of their time. This is particularly valuable for addressing daily living skills such as dressing, eating and morning routines, and for assessing how a child functions within their actual home environment.
Parent and carer involvement is an important part of home sessions. Our therapists provide clear strategies and activities that families can incorporate into daily routines, which supports better carry-over of skills between visits.
In School or Childcare
Physio Inq can deliver occupational therapy in school and childcare settings, allowing therapy to be applied directly within the learning environment. This is particularly beneficial for children whose goals relate to classroom participation, handwriting, social skills or sensory needs in a school context.
Our therapists work collaboratively with teachers and support staff to ensure therapy goals are understood and reinforced throughout the school day.
Online (Telehealth)
Telehealth paediatric OT is available for parent coaching, strategy sessions and follow-up consultations. It is a useful option for families in regional or remote areas, or for sessions focused on guidance and education rather than hands-on assessment.
Not sure which delivery option suits your client or situation?
Contact our team on 1300 731 733 or use our Make a Referral Form and we'll help find the right approach for your health goals.
Who We Support
Physio Inq’s paediatric occupational therapy services are available to children and young people across a broad range of ages, conditions and support needs.
Children with NDIS Funding
We are a registered NDIS provider and support children whose occupational therapy is funded through their NDIS plan. Our paediatric OTs provide goal-based therapy aligned to the child’s plan and supply timely reports to support plan reviews.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Our occupational therapists are experienced in supporting children with ASD, including sensory processing differences, social participation, daily living skills and emotional regulation. Therapy is tailored to each child’s profile and delivered in a structured, supportive way.
Children with Developmental Delay or Coordination Difficulties
We work with children experiencing delays in fine motor development, self-care skills, handwriting or coordination. Therapy focuses on building the underlying skills needed for participation in school, play and daily routines.
Children with Sensory Processing Differences
For children who are oversensitive or undersensitive to sensory input; affecting their behaviour, attention or participation, our therapists provide sensory integration-informed assessment and practical strategies for home and school.
Families and Carers
We recognise that parents and carers are central to a child’s therapy. Our occupational therapists provide clear guidance and practical home activities at every session, and welcome questions and active involvement from families throughout the process.
Where We Provide Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Physio Inq delivers occupational therapy services across Australia, with therapists operating in metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
We currently service clients in:
Not sure if we service your area?
Coverage varies by location and is expanding regularly. Contact our team to confirm availability, or to discuss Telehealth as an alternative.
Call us on 1300 731 733 or submit our Make a Referral Form and our team will be in touch within 48 hours.
How Paediatric Occupational Therapy Helps
Our experienced OTs work with children and families across Ipswich and other serviced areas, including support for families to:
- Improve fine and gross motor coordination so children can write more comfortably, climb and play with confidence and complete daily tasks with less frustration.
- Build independence in self-care (e.g., dressing, eating, toileting) so mornings, mealtimes and routines can run more smoothly.
- Support sensory processing, attention and emotional regulation so children can feel calmer, more focused and better equipped to handle transitions and busy environments.
- Enhance handwriting, play and social interaction skills so children can keep up with school tasks and connect with others more easily.
- Create supportive home and school environments that make it easier for your child to participate in everyday activities.
Each program is individualised, ensuring every child feels supported to build practical skills, confidence and independence in everyday life.
Physio Inq Occupational Therapists will set goals with your family and child, and support your child to achieve these goals by:
- Helping your child build skills through targeted, engaging activities that feel relevant to their everyday life.
- Providing clear, practical advice to help you adjust routines, activities or home environments so everyday life is easier and more manageable for your family. This can also include support with suitable equipment when needed.
- Offering consistent guidance to parents, carers and teachers so everyone is helping your child in achieving the same goals at home, at school and in the community, including families seeking support from our wider service network.
We work with you to support day-to-day function and participation in ways that make sense for your family. After an initial assessment, your occupational therapist will coordinate with you, other relevant professionals, carers, and family members to assist in developing a treatment plan and strategy that is best suited.
What to Expect From a Physio Inq Occupational Therapy Assessment & Sessions
- Comprehensive Assessment: We begin with a detailed occupational therapist assessment, exploring your child’s strengths, challenges and daily routines so therapy fits naturally into family life.
- Report Writing: All reports are clear, timely and NDIS-ready, making coordination with support coordinators, plan managers and referrers simple.
- Goal Planning: Together, we identify meaningful goals aligned with your child’s developmental stage and your family’s priorities, so you know what you’re working towards and why.
- Therapy Sessions: Practical, play-based activities that help children develop skills while staying engaged, motivated and comfortable in familiar environments.
- Ongoing Review: Regular progress updates and program adjustments to ensure therapy continues to meet your child’s changing needs and stays on track.
Development Areas Included in Our Sessions
Unlike a clinic-based approach, our mobile OT sessions use your child's real-life settings to build functional skills. Every session is play-based and tailored to your child’s unique interests.
- Fine Motor and Handwriting Skill Development: Targeted activities to improve pencil grip, scissor use, manipulation skills, and speed/legibility for school tasks.
- Sensory Processing and Regulation: Strategies to help children manage responses to sensory input (like noise or touch) and improve focus, calm, and emotional regulation.
- Self-Care and Independence: Building proficiency in crucial daily living skills, such as dressing, feeding, toileting, and establishing consistent hygiene routines.
- Gross Motor Coordination and Play: Improving balance, climbing, jumping, and ball skills, integrating physical movement into fun, developmental play scenarios.
- Social Skills and School Readiness: Utilising role-play and structured activities to enhance turn-taking, peer interaction, emotional literacy, and classroom participation.
Have a question about Occupational Therapy?
Contact our team on 1300 731 733 or use our Make a Referral Form and we'll help find the right approach for your health goals.
Common Conditions Our Paediatric Occupational Therapists Support
Our paediatric occupational therapists support children with a wide range of developmental and functional challenges, focusing on building skills, participation and independence, including support for:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD)
- Global developmental delay
- Sensory processing challenges
- Fine or gross motor delays
- Learning or handwriting difficulties
- Emotional regulation or behavioural concerns
We also provide support for children accessing NDIS occupational therapy for children, Home Care Packages and private funding.
