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Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists support children to build the skills they need for everyday life at home, at school, and in the community.

We work with children who are:

  • developing skills for play and interacting with others

  • needing support with daily activities such as dressing, feeding, or toileting

  • experiencing big emotions or learning to regulate

  • finding it hard to manage routines, transitions, or expectations

  • becoming overwhelmed by sensory experiences

  • developing fine motor skills for tasks like drawing, using utensils, or getting dressed

  • needing support to participate in childcare, school, or community activities

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Age Ranges

Support is offered across different age ranges depending on the type of service:

Younger Children (0-7 years)
  • individual Occupational Therapy

  • group programs

  • school holiday intensives

  • Functional Capacity Assessments

  • parent and caregiver training courses

Older Children (7-12 years)
  • group programs

  • school holiday intensives

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral?
No. You do not need a referral to access occupational therapy. A GP referral is needed if you plan to access Medicare rebates.

 

Can occupational therapy be funded through the NDIS?
Yes, occupational therapy can often be funded through the NDIS where it is included in your child’s plan.

 

Are Medicare rebates available?
Some children may be eligible for Medicare rebates through a GP referral, such as a Chronic Disease Management plan. Depending on your level of cover, private health insurance may also cover part of the session fee. Please note that typically only one type of claim (i.e. NDIS, Medicare, OR private health) can be used per session.

Does my child need to sit at a table and do work?
No. Sessions are primarily play-based and child-led. Table-based activities are only used if and when a child is ready for them.

 

Do you provide sensory-based therapy?
We consider sensory needs as part of a child’s overall development. Where appropriate, we use sensory-informed approaches to support regulation and participation in everyday activities.

Can you help with school skills like handwriting or attention?
Yes. Occupational therapy can support skills needed for school, including fine motor skills, attention, and participation in classroom routines.

Where does therapy happen?
Sessions can take place in the clinic, at home, or in your child’s childcare or school environment, depending on what is most appropriate. Please note that travel fees apply to sessions outside of our clinic.

What will happen in the first session?
Most of the time, your child's therapist will have a phone call with you to discuss your child's needs prior to the first session (without your child listening in). Then when we meet in person, the therapist will spend time getting to know your child, your concerns, and your goals. This may involve play, observation, and discussion.

What do parents and carers need to do?
Parents and carers are an important part of the therapy process. We work alongside you to share strategies and support your child’s development in everyday routines. Ongoing progress relies on working towards goals outside of sessions.

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We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as the traditional owners of this land on which we work and live. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and connections to land, water and community. We pay respect to the Elders of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri Nations past, present and emerging.

To protect the privacy of the children and families we support, images used on this website are stock images or AI-generated and do not depict Early Bird Therapy clients.

© 2026 Early Bird Therapy
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