Occupational Therapy
Supporting children, teens and young adults to participate in everyday life with greater confidence, comfort and independence through strengths-based occupational therapy.
How We Can Help
Occupational Therapy supports children, teens and young adults to participate in the everyday activities and experiences that are meaningful to them.
This may include play, self-care, learning, social participation, hobbies, routines and other activities at home, school and in the community.
Our Occupational Therapists provide personalised support based on each young person’s strengths, interests, needs and goals. We begin with an assessment to understand how factors such as motor skills, sensory processing, executive functioning, learning, emotional regulation and the environment may influence participation in everyday activities.
From there, we work together to identify practical strategies and supports that make activities more accessible and manageable. This may include skill development, sensory strategies, environmental adjustments, visual supports, assistive technology or adaptations to everyday tasks. Sessions are engaging and hands-on, with activities tailored to the individual and the things that are meaningful to them.
We also work alongside families, schools and other professionals to support consistent strategies across the environments that matter to each young person. Where appropriate, Occupational Therapy can be provided via Telehealth, making support more accessible from home.
Our goal is to help each young person participate in everyday life in ways that work for them, while supporting confidence, connection, wellbeing and growing independence.
Locations
Areas of Support
Learning Difficulties & Specific Learning Disabilities
Children, teens and young adults with learning difficulties or specific learning disabilities may experience differences in how they approach learning, focus, organisation and everyday routines. The demands of school, study and daily life can sometimes require significant mental effort, which may contribute to fatigue, overwhelm or difficulty managing competing demands. A young person might appear to manage well at school, for example, but need more time, rest or support to process their day and manage demands at home.
Specific learning disabilities can co-occur with differences in executive functioning, including working memory, organisation, planning and attention. Learning can also be influenced by sensory processing, handwriting and fine motor skills, visual perception, emotional regulation, and the environments in which learning takes place.
Our Occupational Therapists work with each young person to understand what helps them participate, learn and feel confident in their everyday environments. Support may include developing practical skills, adapting tasks or environments, reducing barriers to participation, and recommending strategies or assistive technology that support learning and independence. Where helpful, Occupational Therapists can collaborate with the young person, their family, school and other professionals, including Psychologists and Speech Pathologists . This collaborative approach helps create consistent, strengths-based support that recognises each young person’s abilities, preferences and goals.
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning refers to the skills we use to plan, organise, manage our emotions and behaviour, shift between tasks, solve problems and respond to the demands of everyday life. Children, teens, and young adults may experience differences in these areas, which can influence learning, relationships, routines and participation in daily activities.
Emotional and behavioural regulation may look like:
- Finding changes to plans or routines difficult to navigate
- Feeling overwhelmed by unexpected or challenging situations
- Responding quickly or impulsively before having time to consider what might happen next
- Finding it difficult to understand how actions may affect others
- Experience strong emotions during stressful, exciting or demanding situations
Cognitive regulation may look like:
- Finding multi-step instructions difficult to follow
- Needing additional support to start, complete or transition between tasks
- Finding planning, organising, or managing time challenging
- Finding it difficult to get started on tasks or stay on track
- Experiencing differences in attention and focus
- Needing support with problem-solving, decision-making or flexible thinking
When several areas of executive functioning are involved, everyday tasks can require more effort and may affect organisation, participation, and confidence.
Our Occupational Therapists work with each young person to understand how their executive functioning differences affect everyday life and identify strategies that work for them. Support may include practical skill-building, visual supports, environmental adjustments, routines and other personalised strategies that promote independence and reduce overwhelm. We can also work with parents, caregivers, and educators to develop practical strategies to create that support consistency across home, school, and other environments.
Sensory Processing
Everyday life involves taking in information through our senses, including what we see, hear, touch, smell and taste, as well as movement and internal body signals. Sensory processing is how the brain receives, interprets and responds to this information.
Everyone experiences and responds to sensory information differently. For some children, teens and young adults, certain sensory experiences may feel particularly intense, distracting or difficult to predict. Others may seek out additional sensory input, such as movement or deep pressure, to help them feel comfortable and regulated. These differences can influence attention, comfort, emotional regulation and participation in everyday activities.
Sensory processing differences may look like:
- Covering ears or avoiding loud or unexpected sounds
- Being sensitive to clothing textures, touch or certain foods
- Seeking movement, pressure or other types of sensory input
- Feeling overwhelmed in busy, bright or highly stimulating environments
- Differences in balance, coordination, or awareness of where the body is in space
- Finding it difficult to notice or respond to internal body signals, such as hunger, thirst, tiredness or the need for a break
Occupational Therapists work with each young person to understand their individual sensory preferences and needs. Support may include sensory strategies, environmental adjustments, regulation tools and practical changes to everyday activities that help reduce overwhelm and support participation.
The goal is not to change how someone experiences the world, but to help them feel more comfortable, understood and confident in the environments and activities that matter to them.
Motor Skills
Motor skills help children, teens and young adults move through their everyday environments and participate in activities at home, school, work and in the community. They include both fine motor skills, which involve smaller movements of the hands and fingers, and gross motor skills, which involve larger whole-body movements.
Fine motor skills may support activities such as:
- Self-care tasks like dressing, grooming, toileting, and eating
- School tasks such as handwriting, drawing, typing, or using scissors
- Play activities like building, crafts, and manipulating toys
- Using everyday tools and objects
Differences in fine motor skills may make some activities more effortful or require additional time, support or adaptations.
Gross motor skills may support activities such as:
- Walking, running, jumping and climbing
- Participating in sports, playground activities and other physical activities
- Maintaining balance and coordinating movements
- Everyday tasks such as getting dressed, using the shower or getting in and out of bed
Our Occupational Therapists work with each young person to understand how their motor skills affect participation in everyday activities. Support may include engaging, goal-focused activities to develop coordination, balance, strength and motor planning, as well as practical strategies or adaptations that make activities more accessible.
Families and educators can also be supported with ideas and strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines, helping young people build confidence and independence in activities that are meaningful to them.
Handwriting
Handwriting is a complex skill that involves fine motor coordination, visual processing, sensory processing, attention and planning. Differences in these areas can make handwriting more effortful and may affect participation in classroom activities, completing written work and confidence at school.
Handwriting differences may include:
- Finding letter formation, spacing or sizing difficult
- Finding it challenging to copy from a board or written source
- Needing additional time or effort to complete handwritten tasks
- Finding it difficult to organise written work on the page
- Experiencing hand fatigue or discomfort during longer writing tasks
Our Occupational Therapists work with children and young people to understand what may be making handwriting challenging and identify practical strategies that support participation. This may include activities that develop fine motor and visual-motor skills, handwriting strategies, environmental adjustments, or exploring alternative ways to record and communicate ideas when handwriting is not the most effective option.
Strategies and recommendations can also be shared with families and educators to support consistency across home and school.
Visual Perception
Visual perception is how the brain interprets and makes sense of what we see. It includes recognising shapes, colours, sizes, understanding spatial relationships, and finding or identifying objects within busy environments. For example, a child may find it difficult to locate a blue crayon in a box containing many different colours.
Visual perception skills support many everyday activities, including reading, writing, maths, playing and navigating different environments
Differences in visual perception may look like:
- Finding it difficult to recognise or distinguish shapes, letters or colours
- Having difficulty locating objects in cluttered or visually busy spaces
- Finding letter formation, orientation or reversals challenging
- Finding it difficult to follow visual sequences or organise information on a page
- Needing additional support to sort, match or organise items
- Losing their place when reading, copying or completing written work
- Finding it challenging to judge where objects are in relation to one another
Our Occupational Therapists work with children, teens and young adults to understand how visual perception differences may affect everyday activities and learning. Support may include practical activities, visual strategies, environmental adjustments and other personalised approaches that make tasks easier to navigate and participate in with confidence.
Emotional & Behavioural Regulation
Emotional regulation involves noticing, experiencing and responding to emotions in ways that support participation in everyday life. Children, teens and young adults may experience emotions differently or more intensely, and may need additional support to navigate strong feelings, unexpected situations, stress or change.
Differences in emotional regulation may look like:
- Becoming overwhelmed by strong emotions or unexpected changes
- Finding transitions between activities or environments difficult
- Needing additional time or support to recover after stressful experiences
- Experiencing strong responses when demands become overwhelming
- Finding it difficult to communicate or identify what they need when distressed
- Having different ways of responding to excitement, frustration, disappointment or uncertainty
These experiences can affect participation in daily routines, learning, relationships and activities that are important to the young person.
Our Occupational Therapists work with children, teens and young adults to understand what may be contributing to their experiences and identify strategies that support regulation and participation. This may include sensory supports, co-regulation approaches, environmental adjustments, predictable routines and practical strategies tailored to the individual.
The focus is on creating environments and supports that help young people feel safe, understood and able to participate in ways that work for them.
Self-Care Skills
Self-care skills are the everyday activities that help children, teens and young adults look after themselves and participate in daily routines. These may include dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, getting ready for the day and settling into bedtime routines.
Differences in motor skills, sensory processing, attention or executive functioning can sometimes make self-care tasks more effortful or challenging. Young people may also benefit from additional time, prompts, adaptations or support to participate in these routines.
Our Occupational Therapists work with each young person to understand what makes self-care tasks easier or more difficult and develop practical, personalised strategies. This may include breaking tasks into manageable steps, adapting the environment, using visual supports, practising specific skills or exploring alternative ways to complete a task.
Families can also be supported with strategies that make daily routines more predictable, manageable and positive, while supporting the young person’s confidence, participation and growing independence.
Play and Social Skills
Play is an important part of childhood and adolescence. It supports exploration, creativity, learning, connection and wellbeing, while providing opportunities to develop skills and discover what feels enjoyable and meaningful.
Some children and young people may benefit from support with aspects of play and social participation, such as:
- Joining in shared play and activities
- Taking turns, sharing space and negotiating with others
- Communicating wants, needs and ideas
- Navigating differences of opinion or unexpected changes during play
- Building confidence in social situations
- Developing ways to connect and participate that feel comfortable for them
Our Occupational Therapists use play-based approaches to support social participation and skill development in ways that are engaging, meaningful and appropriate for each young person. Therapy may involve practising skills through games and shared activities, exploring different ways to communicate and connect, or adapting environments to make participation more accessible.
Parents and caregivers can also be supported with practical strategies and ideas that encourage connection, participation and confidence in everyday play and social experiences.
Feeding and Mealtime
Eating and mealtimes involve a range of skills, including sensory processing, coordination, motor skills and the ability to manage different routines and environments. For some children and young people, differences in these areas can make mealtimes feel difficult, overwhelming or stressful.
Mealtime differences may include:
- Having a narrow range of preferred foods
- Strong preferences around food textures, tastes, smells or temperatures
- Finding it difficult to remain comfortable or engaged during meals
- Finding utensils or other mealtime equipment difficult to use
- Needing additional support with the routines and expectations around mealtimes
Our Occupational Therapists work with children and families to understand what may be contributing to mealtime challenges and identify practical strategies that support comfortable participation. This may include sensory strategies, environmental adjustments, adapting mealtime routines, supporting independence with utensils and encouraging positive opportunities for food exploration.
Where appropriate, Occupational Therapists can also collaborate with Speech Pathologists and other professionals to support a coordinated approach to mealtime participation.
Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in health, wellbeing, learning and everyday participation. For children and young people, changes in sleep can affect energy, mood, attention and how they experience and manage daily activities.
Sleep can be influenced by many factors, including:
- Sensory preferences or sensitivities
- Worries, anxiety or difficulty feeling settled at bedtime
- Changes in routine or environment
- Finding transitions to bedtime difficult
- Needing support or connection from a parent or caregiver to settle
- Difficulty maintaining a consistent sleep routine
Our Occupational Therapists work with children, young people and their families to explore the factors that may be affecting sleep and identify practical strategies that fit the individual and their family. This may include sensory supports, environmental adjustments, bedtime routines and strategies to make the transition to sleep more predictable and comfortable.
Where sleep concerns may indicate an underlying medical or sleep disorder, referral to a GP or appropriate health professional may be recommended.
Meet our Occupational Therapy Team
FAQs
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
A Beam Occupational Therapist supports children, teens and young adults to build skills for everyday life, independence and participation. This includes activities such as self-care, play, school or work tasks, and social participation.
Occupational Therapists work with individuals to understand their strengths, preferences, and any areas where support may be helpful. Therapy is personalised and may focus on areas such as fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and daily routines.
The goal is to support each person to participate more comfortably and confidently in the activities that are meaningful to them.
How much does it cost to see an Occupational Therapist?
Session fees can vary depending on the type of service and funding options available.
For full details on pricing, funding options, and rebates, please visit our Fees page or contact our team. You may be eligible for support through Medicare, NDIS, or private health insurance.
Do I need a referral to see an Occupational Therapist?
No referral is required to see a member of our Occupational Therapy team. However, to access Medicare rebates, a referral and an eligible plan from your GP is required. Your GP can help you determine eligibility.
Can I get a Medicare rebate?
In some cases, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for Occupational Therapy sessions with a valid referral from your GP under a Chronic Condition Management Plan (CDMP).
NDIS funding may also be used if you have an approved plan. Rebates may also be available through private health insurance, depending on your level of cover.
How long are the sessions?
Standard sessions are around 50 minutes, though some may be shorter or longer depending on your goals. Your clinician will discuss what works best for you, so each session is tailored to provide meaningful, practical support.
How many sessions will my child, teen or young adult need?
The number of sessions depends on individual needs. Some may need only a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support. Your Occupational Therapist will work with you to develop a personalised plan and help you understand what to expect.
How involved are parents in sessions?
We involve parents and caregivers as much as possible, as your insight and involvement play an important role in supporting consistency and progress. Depending on your child’s age and preferences, you may be invited to participate in sessions or join at the end to discuss strategies. We also provide practical ideas and guidance so strategies can be used at home and in everyday routines. Some children or teens may prefer to work independently during sessions, which is fine. We will update you on progress and strategies afterwards.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. We offer secure and convenient telehealth sessions, including initial appointments. If attending in person is difficult, telehealth ensures therapy continues uninterrupted.
What if my child is nervous about seeing an Occupational Therapist?
It is normal to feel nervous about new experiences. You might explain that Occupational Therapy is a supportive space where they can build skills for everyday activities like play, school, or daily routines. Sessions are tailored to their interests and strengths, and often include fun, engaging activities.
Most children and young people begin to feel more comfortable after their first session, as they get to know their therapist and what to expect.
Are you a registered NDIS provider?
Yes. Beam Health is a registered NDIS provider for a range of supports, including Improved Daily Living and Improved Relationships. If you have NDIS funding, your plan may cover sessions with an eligible clinician. We also welcome privately funded clients and can guide you on available options.
Does my child, teen, or young adult need to see an Occupational Therapist?
Children and young people develop at their own pace, and differences are a natural part of development. An Occupational Therapist can help if your child or young person is finding certain everyday activities more challenging, overwhelming or frustrating.
You might consider support if your child:
- Finds self-care tasks like dressing, eating, or toileting difficult
- Struggles with fine or gross motor skills
- Has challenges with attention, organisation, or routines
- Becomes easily overwhelmed by sensory environments
- Finds it hard to regulate emotions or behaviour
- Has difficulty participating in play, school, or social activities
If you are unsure, our team can guide you on whether support may be helpful.
Do you work with schools, preschools, and early learning centres?
Yes. Our team collaborates closely with educators and professionals through:
- Individualised plans with schools and health providers
- Preschool and school screenings
- Workshops for educators
- Parent information sessions and webinars
Do you work with children, teens, or young adults with Autism?
Yes. Our Occupational Therapists have extensive experience supporting children, teens, and young adults with Autism.
We take a neuroaffirming approach that recognises and respects each individual’s strengths, preferences, and ways of engaging with the world. Support is personalised and may focus on areas such as sensory processing, daily routines, emotional regulation, and participation in meaningful activities.
Where helpful, we can also work alongside your child’s broader support team to provide consistent, coordinated care.
What age groups do you support?
Our Occupational Therapists work with children, teens, and young adults up to age 25. Our team tailors support to suit each stage of development, from early childhood through to adolescence and young adulthood. Therapy is personalised to align with individual strengths, goals, and everyday environments such as home, school, or work.
Can Occupational Therapy assessments help my child?
Yes. OT assessments gather information to understand functioning and to develop individualised plans that are inclusive of the child and family.
