Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy for Children 0-12 years. Extensive research supports paediatric occupational therapy as an effective method of developing children’s social, cognitive, and physical functionality. Occupational therapy aims to help children cultivate the skills required to perform and enjoy their everyday tasks, such as play, learning, or self-care. Children of all backgrounds may find occupation therapy sessions valuable in improving their confidence and self-acceptance.
Hinterland Children’s Therapy is a trusted multi-disciplinary practice that offers paediatric occupational therapy on the Gold Coast. We create tailored therapy plans to support children with disabilities, learning difficulties, or developmental delays in a welcoming, non-clinical environment. We can provide you as a parent with educational resources and support materials to help you encourage your child reach their fullest potential.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Hinterland Children’s Therapy offers occupational therapy for children on the Gold Coast in a warm, welcoming, and non-clinical environment. We aim to create an enjoyable experience for children to learn through play and interaction with nature. Our clinic is set on a large acreage where children can interact with animals during their therapy sessions under the guided supervision of our trained multi-disciplinary team.
We have over twenty-five years of experience working with children – helping them to reach their milestones and thrive in their everyday roles. Our dedicated team is passionate about providing unique approaches for each child. We tailor our therapy to get the best outcomes for you. Contact us to book an appointment or find out more about our therapy
Aims of Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy improves children’s engagement in their life roles and increases their independence and confidence when completing routine tasks. We facilitate participation in meaningful activities that often incorporate play and social interaction. Occupational therapy aims to build a child’s confidence, independence, and performance in all aspects of their life. The key outcomes we strive to achieve with our children’s occupational therapy on the Gold Coast include:
Increased range of movement. Occupational therapy can help improve your child’s gross motor skills that require whole-body movements, such as running or ball skills. Gross motor activity training develops the subconscious thought processes behind functions such as hand-eye coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. Improved physical confidence encourages safe and enjoyable engagement in play and physical education.
Improved behaviour and learning. Children that have a tough time concentrating or focusing on a specific task may display poor academic results or problematic behaviour. An occupational therapist can help your child develop valuable classroom skills through memory and concentration games to adapt to a school environment. OT can improve a child’s attention span and their ability to follow instructions and retain information.
Developing fine motor skills. Fine motor skills refer to the abilities your child requires to perform complex coordinated movements with their hands, wrists, and fingers. Developing fine motor skills from a young age is crucial to a child’s future dexterity. Improving your child’s fine motor skills enhances their ability to perform everyday activities such as writing, drawing, using cutlery, and dressing themselves.
Practising social skills. A children’s occupational therapist can teach your child healthy ways of expressing anger and frustration to improve the quality of their social interactions. Improved social skills can help your child make friends more comfortably, enhancing their confidence and participation in group activities. Many occupational therapy treatments include confidence-building activities that will improve overall social functionality.
Forming self-care habits. Our child’s occupational therapy on the Gold Coast can help children reach self-care milestones, including successful toilet training and dressing or feeding themselves. Self-care development activities often include a combination of fine motor skills training and confidence coaching. Occupational therapists set obtainable goals for your child to reach during therapy to encourage a sense of achievement and independence.
When To Seek an Occupational Therapy Assessment
An occupational therapist for children conducts the review by observing the child as they complete routine play or learning activities and social interactions. There are numerous types of evaluations available, depending on the child’s needs, including the following:
Sensory regulation difficulties. Sensory regulation refers to the process of reacting appropriately to different environmental stimuli, such as bright lights or sounds. Many children are under or overstimulated by external sensory stimuli, which an occupational therapist can observe through a sensory assessment. Occupational therapy aims to improve the child’s daily experience through improved sensory integration.
Learning challenges. Difficulties at school are often linked to the child presenting more complex concerns, which may be better understood through a functional assessment. Our occupational therapy on the Gold Coast includes comprehensive evaluations to determine how successfully your child interacts with typical school and home environments. Concentration, motor and social skills all play a role in a child’s learning experience.
Early developmental delays. Occupational therapy may be suitable for infants and toddlers that miss their developmental milestones. There are standard paediatric developmental milestones for children aged two months to five years. These include social behaviours, such as smiling, waving, and making eye contact. They also involve physical and cognitive abilities, such as recognising faces, crawling, and fine motor skills.
Difficulty processing visuals. Visual processing refers to how your child’s brain interprets visual information as cohesive thoughts. Children must process visuals adequately to understand new concepts at school, such as reading and writing. If your child struggles with the sizing and spacing of letters, recognising shapes, or observing and copying a picture or word, occupational therapy may be beneficial.
Underdeveloped motor skills. Physical movement is crucial to childhood development, and impaired motor ability can affect a child’s school performance and enjoyment. An occupational therapist can conduct a movement assessment to determine whether motor issues impact your child’s quality of life. Occupational therapy can help children improve their confidence in running, ball skills, balance, and play.