Paediatric Occupational Therapy Adelaide | OT for Children and Young People
Thrive Health Therapies provides experienced occupational therapy services for children throughout metropolitan Adelaide, at home, in the community, and at our Findon clinic. Our occupational therapists provide individualised, family-centred and neurodiversity affirming care to help children reach their full potential. We aim to empower children and families with skills for everyday activities, sensory integration, and social engagement.
What Is Paediatric Occupational Therapy?
Paediatric occupational therapy is a specialised field that focuses on supporting children and teenagers in developing the essential skills needed for daily life, learning, and play. Paediatric occupational therapists work closely with children who face developmental, physical, emotional, or sensory challenges, offering tailored strategies and interventions to help them overcome these difficulties. Their goal is to enable children to thrive and succeed in various environments, including home, school, and community settings. By addressing challenges in areas such as fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and social participation, paediatric occupational therapists empower children to build independence, confidence, and resilience in their everyday lives.
Who Do Our Paediatric Occupational Therapists Support?
At Thrive Health Therapies, our occupational therapists treat a wide range of conditions that affect children and teenagers, including (but not limited to):
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/Attention deficit disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Cerebral Palsy
Developmental coordination disorder
Developmental delay
Down syndrome
Dyspraxia
Fragile X Syndrome
Genetic disorders
Learning difficulties
Low muscle tone
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Rhetts Syndrome
How our Paediatric Occupational Therapists Support Children & Teenagers in Adelaide
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Sensory Processing
Ability to receive, interpret, and respond to sensory information from the environment and the body.
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Executive Functioning
Ability to plan, organise, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully.
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Emotional Regulation
Ability to recognise, understand, and manage one’s emotions in a healthy and adaptive way.
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Self Care Skills
Ability to carry out daily personal tasks such as dressing, eating, brushing teeth, and bathing.
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Fine Motor Skills
Ability to use small muscles of the hands and fingers to perform precise tasks like writing, buttoning, and cutting.
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Interoception
Ability to sense and understand internal body signals such as hunger, thirst, heartbeat, and the need to go to the toilet.
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Play Skills
Ability to engage in play activities, including taking turns, using imagination, following rules, and interacting with others.
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Balance & Coordination
Ability to maintain stability and smoothly control body movements during everyday activities.
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Gross Motor Skills
Ability to use large muscle groups for movements such as running, jumping, climbing, and throwing.
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Toileting
Ability to recognise the need to use the toilet and manage all related tasks independently, including hygiene.
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Challenging Behaviour
Behaviours that interfere with daily life or development, often expressed through aggression, withdrawal, or non-compliance.
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Upper Limb Therapy
Therapeutic support to improve strength, coordination, and function in the shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand.
Occupational Therapy Assessments and Reports We Offer
At Thrive Health Therapies, we offer a wide range of evidence-based assessments and reports to support individuals with diverse needs. These include:
Progress Reports: We provide detailed reports on progress at the end of a therapy period.
Functional Capacity Assessments: Evaluate how individuals perform daily tasks and identify support needs for independent living.
Learn more about our NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments to support occupational therapy goals.
Sensory Assessments: Help individuals better process and respond to sensory stimuli.
Learn more about our sensory assessments to support sensory processing and occupational therapy goals.
Sensory Diets: Help individuals regulate their sensory input, improve focus, and enhance daily functioning.
Learn more about sensory diets to support sensory processing goals.
Assistive Technology Assessments: Prescribe and train individuals in the use of devices such as wheelchairs, mobility aids, and communication tools.
Learn more about assistive technology assessments.
Home Modification Assessments: Recommend changes that improve safety, accessibility, and independence for individuals within their living environments.
Learn more about home modification assessments.
Psychosocial Functional Capacity Assessments
FCA & Supported Independent Living (SIL) Assessments:
FCA & Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Assessments
Cognitive Assessments: Evaluate skills like memory, attention, problem-solving, and planning.
Manual Handling Assessments: Ensure safe techniques and equipment use, reducing the risk of injury and promoting effective support for individuals with mobility or care needs.
How We Deliver Children’s Occupational Therapy Services in Adelaide
Thrive Health Therapies is dedicated to providing accessible and flexible care for families throughout metropolitan Adelaide. We offer:
Community-Based Therapy: Our team conducts in-home, school, and kindergarten visits throughout metropolitan Adelaide, ensuring children receive care in familiar environments. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic-Based Therapy: Our Findon clinic offers a specially designed space for children, with fun and engaging equipment and resources to support diverse therapy needs.
Telehealth Services: We also offer comprehensive telehealth services, providing clients with convenient, video-based therapy consultations for those who may have difficulty travelling to our clinic or prefer the convenience of remote support.
Funding Options for Paediatric Occupational Therapy
We accept a variety of funding options, making paediatric occupational therapy accessible for everyone:
Private Health Insurance
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans (GP Team Care Arrangements)
Why Families Choose Thrive Health Therapies for Children’s Occupational Therapy in Adelaide
No wait time! We can start working with children and teenagers straight away!
Experienced Clinicians: Our occupational therapists are senior clinicians with years of experience working with a wide range of presentations.
Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing physiotherapy across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic space: Our fully accessible clinic in Findon has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations & disabilities.
Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health. Learn more about our team.
NDIS Provider: We provide services to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.
LGBTQIA+ Friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.
FAQs About Paediatric Occupational Therapy in Adelaide
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Paediatric occupational therapy helps children develop essential skills for daily activities, learning, and play. Focusing on children facing developmental, physical, or sensory challenges, therapists create individualized programs to improve fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and social-emotional skills. Through engaging activities, children build confidence, independence, and skills for school, home, and community life. Occupational therapy supports children with conditions like autism, ADHD, and sensory processing issues, enabling them to thrive and participate more fully in their world.
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Thrive Health Therapies supports children and teens with developmental and learning disorders (e.g., ASD, ADHD), sensory processing issues, physical and motor impairments, and emotional or behavioural challenges. Our team provides tailored therapy to enhance self-regulation, social skills, coordination, and emotional well-being, helping children build essential skills for improved daily functioning and personal growth.
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Thrive Health Therapies provides allied health services in Adelaide to all ages, from newborns to seniors! Our therapists have experience in a wide range of conditions and diagnosis, ensuring we can help you find a therapist who is the right fit for you.
For paediatric clients we accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.
As a NDIS registered provider we are also able to accept participants who have chosen to have their funds managed by NDIA.
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If you are funded through Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Chronic Disease Management (CDM) we need the appropriate referral documentation from your GP.
For all other funding sources you can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Referring is easy! You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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We support adults and children with:
Psychosocial Disability
Intellectual Disability
Autism
Global Developmental Delay
Spinal Cord Injury
Acquired Brain Injury
Multiple Sclerosis
Stroke
Cerebral Palsy
Amputation
Parkinson's Disease
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Motor Neurone Disease
Genetic Conditions
Vision or Hearing Impairment
Amputees
Other Physical/Intellectual Impairments
And more! Feel free to enquire here.
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No! We can start working with new clients right away.
Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.
You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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We accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, home care packages, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.
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Prices vary between services. Our therapists work with you to ensure you get the best program of services within your budget allocation.
Please contact us for a personalised quote.
Ready to get started?
It’s easy!
Referral Form
Fill out our easy online referral form and we’ll be in touch!
