Does my child need occupational therapy?

Every day I work with parents who are seeking support for their child. Some are on a waitlist. Some have a diagnosis. Some are still trying to work out what they're seeing and experiencing. And so many of them ask me the same question: does my child need occupational therapy?

Whether a child needs occupational therapy depends on that child: what they find hard, where it shows up, and how much it gets in the way of everyday life at home, at kinder or at school. An OT works that out by meeting your child and listening to you, so no web page can answer it for you. What I can do, after 20 years working with families, is explain what an OT actually works on, how to see one in Australia, what a first appointment might look like, and what you can start at home while you work out the next right step for you and your child.

What does an occupational therapist do with children?

Occupational therapists help children get better at the everyday things they need and want to do. For children, that is mostly:

  • looking after themselves, like getting dressed, eating, brushing teeth and using the toilet
  • playing, on their own and with other kids
  • the hand skills they need for school and learning, like holding a pencil and using scissors
  • moving their bodies with confidence, like climbing, balancing and catching a ball
  • coping with big feelings, and with the noise, textures and busyness of an ordinary day

A lot of the work happens through play, because play is how children practise. At The Play Way, we see play as the work of the child, and we build everything we do around it.

A good OT also works closely with you as the parent, because you spend far more time with your child than any therapist does.

How does The Play Way work with families?

We work with you. We don't do therapy directly with your child through a screen.

Most of our work happens with parents, in everyday life rather than a clinic room. We look at the moments already in your day, like bath time, the school run or while dinner's cooking, and help you turn one of them into play that helps kids build their skills.

Take hand skills. Instead of worksheets, an OT might suggest pegging washing on the line together, tearing paper for a collage, or rolling playdough while you cook. Each one uses the small muscles in the hands, and to your child it's just play.

We also help the people around your child know what to do, like kinder educators, grandparents and support workers. So you can all be on the same page and working toward the same goals.

How do I see an occupational therapist in Australia?

You don't need a GP referral to see an occupational therapist. If you're worried, your GP or child and family health nurse is still a good first conversation, and they can help you find someone.

Every occupational therapist in Australia must be registered with Ahpra. You can check any OT's registration on Ahpra's public register.

In a lot of areas there's a wait to see an OT, sometimes months. While you wait:

  • Stay on the list. When your appointment comes up, you'll want it.
  • Ask clinics whether they offer telehealth or more flexible appointment times. Some do.
  • Start at home with the ideas further down this page.

And if you'd like a therapist to help get you started while you wait, our 'Ask a Therapist' messaging support is below.

What happens at a first OT appointment?

Every OT works a little differently, but a first appointment often starts with you as the parent: what you're noticing, when it happens, and what you've already tried. The OT might watch your child play or try a few structured activities together. Most finish by setting goals with you, so you know what you're working on and why.

A first appointment usually takes between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the therapist.

How long does occupational therapy take?

It depends on what you're working on. Some children see an OT for a short block for one skill. Others see an OT over a longer stretch. Your OT should talk this through with you and check progress against the goals you set together.

Some children need hands-on help for years, and that is right for them. If that's your child, regular therapy with an OT is the right thing, and nothing on this page replaces it.

For a lot of families, though, our goal is for you to need us less over time, not more. You're the one who's there every day, so we focus on building your confidence and your understanding of your child so that they can build their skills in their everyday natural environment.

What can I do at home while I decide?

You don't have to wait for permission to start helping your child.

Write down what you notice: what happened, when, where, and what helped. That record is useful to any professional you see, and it often shows you a pattern you might not have otherwise noticed.

Keep playing. Everyday play builds the skills an OT works on. Our Play Kits are a flexible and practical place to start. The tools are delivered to your door, and you access the videos through our Hub.

Ask a therapist about your child

Want to be able to message a therapist and get some guidance when you're stuck or unsure what to try next? The Play Way's Ask a Therapist is now available.

Tell us what's going on, what you've already tried, and where you feel stuck. Our therapy team read, watch or listen to what you've described, explain what they would try next, and recommend any relevant resources from our Hub that might also help, and reply to you within one business day.

Ask a Therapist

Written by Kait Cummins, occupational therapist, 20 years working with families.