Building Brighter Futures: Complete Occupational Therapy Services in Perth

At Kid Speak, we know how much it matters when your child can join in all the things that make up their day.

We’ve been helping Perth families with speech therapy for years, and we’ve seen firsthand how much difference the right support can make.

That’s why we’re so excited to now offer Occupational Therapy too – because we want to help your child succeed in every part of their life.

Our Occupational Therapy (OT) team lead by Senior Occupational Therapist, Kate helps kids master the skills they need for all their daily activities – everything from playing with friends to getting dressed in the morning.

We see each child as an individual with their own special strengths, and we work to help them shine by offering personalised, one-on-one sessions right here in our Perth clinics.

Kate

Senior Occupational Therapist

Kate is Kid Speak’s Senior Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead. She is genuinely passionate about providing care that’s inclusive, person-centred, and looks at the whole picture. She’s got her Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) with Honours from Curtin University and she’s registered with AHPRA.

Kate’s spent years working with neurodivergent people and those with intellectual disabilities across all ages, but she’s particularly drawn to supporting children and young people. She’s done training in Autism, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), complex communication needs, and sensory processing – these are the areas that really get her excited about her work.

When she’s working with younger children, Kate brings heaps of creativity and energy to her sessions. She uses play and exploration as her main tools for early intervention and skill development. With teenagers, she creates a supportive space for talk-based therapy, helps with emotional regulation and attention support, and works on identity development through an occupational therapy lens.

Kate’s approach is built on her core values: inclusivity, dignity, excellence, and respect. She believes every person deserves the chance to live a fulfilling and empowered life. She works closely with families and support networks to help make this happen – it’s very much a team effort.

What really drives Kate is seeing people discover their strengths and develop the skills they need to participate fully in their daily lives. She’s not just about treating symptoms; she’s about understanding each person’s individual goals and finding creative ways to help them achieve what matters most to them.

Group 106 Kid Speak Speech Therapy Perth

Group 107 Kid Speak Speech Therapy Perth

What Does Occupational Therapy Actually Mean for Kids?

When people hear “occupational therapy,” they sometimes think it’s about jobs. But for children, it’s really about all the important activities that fill their days and shape who they are becoming.

Picture your child’s typical day: getting up, choosing clothes, eating breakfast, playing with toys, learning new things at school, managing sensory stimuli, chatting with friends, and being part of family life.

If your child finds any of these things tricky because of how they’re developing, how they process what they feel and hear, or other challenges, our occupational therapists can step in to help.

Our skilled therapists work with children to help them do these everyday tasks more easily and with more confidence.

We make therapy enjoyable and interesting, always matching what we do to what your child needs and loves.

We want to help them take part in their daily activities so they feel more successful, independent, and happy.

What We Aim to Do:

Our paediatric occupational therapy focuses on:

Supporting Growth: Helping kids develop important movement, sensory, thinking, and social skills
Increasing Participation: Making it easier for children to join in at home, school, and in the community
Building Independence: Teaching kids to handle daily tasks and manage their feelings on their own
Making Life Better: Reducing frustration and building confidence so children and families feel happier

We know that every child’s path is different.

Our OTs work closely with families, teachers, and other healthcare providers to create a complete support network.

This teamwork helps make sure the progress your child makes with us carries over into their everyday life at home and school.

Group 105 1 e1658717721250 Kid Speak Speech Therapy Perth

Our Occupational Therapy Services

At Kid Speak, we provide a variety of focused one-to-one occupational therapy services right in our clinic. We start with detailed assessments to figure out exactly where your child could use some extra support. Then we create therapy plans specifically for your child’s needs to help them grow and become more independent.

We’re proud to offer complete support in these important areas of development:

Emotional Regulation Therapy

Emotional regulation means being able to handle feelings in healthy and sustainable ways.

For kids, this looks like understanding their emotions, calming down when they feel overwhelmed, and expressing feelings in helpful ways.

When children struggle with this, you might see frequent meltdowns, withdrawal, trouble with changes in routine, worry, difficulties paying attention, or difficulties getting along with others.

Our therapists use play and sensory activities to help children:

Recognise and name their feelings
Build a toolbox of calming techniques they can use
Figure out what ‘triggers’ big emotions
Practice thinking flexibly and solving problems

Sensory Processing Therapy

Sensory processing is how our brains make sense of what we experience through our senses – touch, sight, sound, smell, taste, movement, knowing where our body is in space, and internal senses like hunger and thirst.

When a child processes sensory information differently, they might react too strongly or not at all to what they feel, see, or hear.

This can make it hard to pay attention, respond to different situations in expected and secure ways, or handle daily activities.

Our OTs target sensory processing by helping children:

Better understand and organise sensory information
Manage sensory input in their environment and use sensory tools independently and advocate for their sensory needs (e.g. fidget, headphones)
Focus and pay attention more easily
Reduce sensory overwhelm, often resulting in fewer meltdowns, less anxiety and less distress related to sensory experiences

Fine Motor Skills Development

Fine motor skills use the small muscles in the hands and fingers, often working together with the eyes to complete everyday tasks.

These skills are essential for so many daily tasks, especially those needed for school and taking care of themselves.

When fine motor skills aren’t developed as expected, children can have trouble with writing, drawing, buttoning clothes, or using utensils.

Our focused therapy helps children improve:

Hand strength and skill
How they hold and control pencils
Using scissors and cutting accurately
Handling small objects like beads or building blocks
Using both hands together smoothly

Gross Motor Skills Enhancement

Gross motor skills use the bigger muscle groups that are important for big movements and getting around.

These basic skills include running, jumping, balancing, and throwing.

When gross motor skills are challenging, it can affect how kids participate in sports, playground fun, or even moving safely through their environment. It is also a key component of developing fine motor skills as a stable core provides the foundation for controlled and coordinated movements in the extremities (arms, hands and fingers).

Our OTs use active and playful activities to help improve:

Balance and coordination
Strength and stamina
Agility and planning movements
Ball skills like throwing, catching, and kicking

Self-Care Skills for Independence

Self-care skills are the basic tasks that help a child feel independent and confident.

These include important activities like getting dressed, eating, using the bathroom, and staying clean.

When children have trouble with these routines, it can affect how they feel about themselves and create extra stress and demands for families.

Our OTs work with children to develop practical abilities in:

Getting dressed and undressed (buttons, zippers, tying shoes)
Eating independently (using utensils)
Using the toilet on their own
Personal hygiene routines (brushing teeth, washing hands)
Organising their belongings and managing their space

Play Skills & Social Connection

Play is what children do most, and it’s how they learn, explore, and connect with the world around them.

Developing strong play skills is important for thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and making friends.

When play is challenging, it can lead to difficulties in social situations, imaginative thinking, and understanding social signals.

We support children in developing:

Imaginative and pretend play
Taking turns and sharing
Playing cooperatively with other kids
Understanding social cues and handling social situations
Expressing emotions during play

Executive Function Development

Executive functions are a set of cognitive skills that help children manage their thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals and adapt to new situations. They help us plan, focus, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks.

These skills are critical for doing well in school, following routines, handling changes, and staying organised.

Children with executive function challenges may struggle with organisation, finishing tasks, managing time, impulse control, or adapting when things change.

Our therapy approaches aim to strengthen abilities in:

Planning and setting goals
Organisation and managing tasks
Maintaining attention and focus
Remembering and using information
Starting tasks and seeing them through to the end
Handling routines and changes smoothly

The Life-Changing Benefits of Occupational Therapy

Working with an occupational therapist can create many positive changes for children and their families:

More Independence: Children develop the skills and confidence to handle daily tasks on their own, needing less help from adults
Better School Performance: Improved fine motor skills for writing, attention, and organisational abilities help with success in school
Healthier Emotional Control: Children learn helpful ways to understand and express their feelings, leading to fewer meltdowns, better coping strategies and happier lives
Stronger Friendships: Developing play and social skills helps children build strong friendships and interact better with peers and adults
Higher Self-Esteem and Confidence: Learning new skills and overcoming challenges boosts how children feel about themselves and their abilities
Less Family Stress: As children become more independent and better able to manage their emotions and routines, family life often becomes easier and more peaceful
More Participation in Activities: Children feel empowered to join activities they might have avoided or had limited capacity to engage in before, whether it’s playing sports, participating in school events, or simply enjoying family outings

Our holistic approach makes sure these benefits show up in all parts of a child’s life, from their relationships at home to their experiences in the community and at school.

Who Can Benefit from Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy can help many different children, including those who may:

Have trouble with everyday tasks like dressing, eating, or staying clean
Find it hard to write, draw, or use scissors
Seem unsteady, clumsy, or struggle with balance
Be highly “sensitive” to or “under-responsive” to sounds, taste, touch, movements, or other sensory input
Have frequent meltdowns or difficulty managing their emotions
Struggle with paying attention, staying organised, or following instructions
Find it challenging to make friends, join group play, or understand social cues
Have a diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down Syndrome, or developmental delays
Are having trouble reaching developmental milestones for their age

If you notice your child having ongoing challenges in any of these areas, an occupational therapy assessment can give you helpful information and a clear direction forward. We work with children of various ages, adjusting our methods to fit their developmental stage and individual learning style.

Who Can Benefit from Occupational Therapy?

Our Complete Assessment Process

We believe that good therapy starts with really understanding your child’s specific needs. Our assessment process is thorough but
comfortable for your child, done one-to-one in our welcoming Perth clinics. The assessment usually includes:

1 .Initial Meeting:

A conversation with parents/caregivers to understand your concerns, your child’s developmental history, strengths, and daily routines.

2. Observation and Play-Based Assessment:

Our OTs will do various activities and play scenarios with your child to observe their skills in areas like fine motor control, gross motor movement, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and executive function.

3. Formal Assessments:

When appropriate, standardised assessment tools may be used to provide objective measures of your child’s abilities compared to other children their age.

4. Feedback and Goal Setting:

After the assessment (1-2 appointments), we’ll provide detailed feedback, explaining what we found and discussing potential therapy goals. You’ll also receive a complete written report.

5. Personalised Therapy Plan:

Based on the assessment results and working together with your family to set goals, we recommend therapy approaches and frequency. For children with NDIS funding, we align therapy goals with their NDIS plan goals.

We want to make this process as clear and supportive as possible for both you and your child, making sure therapy is exactly what they need.

Why Choose Kid Speak for Occupational Therapy in Perth?

Picking the right therapy provider is an important decision. Here’s what makes Kid Speak different as your trusted partner for Occupational Therapy services in Perth:

Established Experience and Trust: We’ve built a strong reputation for excellence in speech therapy within the Perth community over many years. Adding Occupational Therapy is a natural next step, bringing the same high standards of care, ethical practice, and client-focused approach to another vital area of child development.
Skilled and Caring Therapists: Our Occupational Therapists are well-qualified, experienced, and truly passionate about helping children succeed. They’re committed to ongoing professional development, making sure they use the latest evidence-based practices.
Complete and Integrated Approach: We understand that a child’s development is all connected. Our OTs consider all aspects of a child’s life – physical, emotional, social, and cognitive – when creating therapy plans. For families needing both speech and occupational therapy, our integrated approach provides seamless, collaborative care.
One-to-One, In-Clinic Focus: We believe in the power of individual attention. Our one-to-one sessions allow for highly focused therapy, adjusted to your child’s pace and learning style, reducing distractions and maximising progress. Our dedicated clinical environment in Perth has resources specifically chosen to support diverse therapy needs.
Family-Centred: We see parents and caregivers as essential members of the therapy team. We provide parent coaching, practical strategies, resources, and ongoing communication to help you support your child’s progress at home and in other environments.
Local Community Commitment: As a local practice, we’re deeply committed to the well-being of families in Perth and wider Western Australia. We understand what our community needs and work hard to provide accessible, high-quality services close to home.

We’re excited to bring this new area of support to the families we serve, helping more children build foundational skills for a lifetime of success and meaningful participation.

Getting Started with Occupational Therapy

If you’re concerned about your child’s development in any of the areas we’ve mentioned, or if you simply want to learn more about how Occupational Therapy can help your family, we’d love to hear from you.

Taking the first step is simple:

Contact Us: Call our friendly team at (08) 6383 9918 or fill out our online form
Initial Chat: Our admin team will call you to understand your needs and answer any questions you might have
Book an Assessment: If it seems like a good fit, we’ll arrange an initial occupational therapy assessment for your child at our Perth clinics

We’re looking forward to working with you to help your child grow and handle their world with more confidence and independence.

Common Questions About Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Both are healthcare professions that help children develop through play, building interaction, communication, and learning whilst creating connections and shared experiences with others. But they typically focus on different areas. Speech therapy mainly looks at communication skills – things like speech sounds, language understanding and expression, social communication, and eating/swallowing.

Occupational Therapy helps children participate in their daily activities. That’s stuff like self-care (dressing, eating), play, learning, fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. They’re different approaches, but they often work brilliantly together. Our clinic can provide both if your child would benefit from that.

Our one-to-one occupational therapy sessions are 45 minutes long. That includes direct therapy time plus some chat with parents for discussion and feedback. Assessment sessions might take a bit longer – sometimes we’ll split them over two appointments. We’ll talk through and agree on the exact length during your initial meeting.

No, you don’t need a referral from a doctor to access private occupational therapy services in Western Australia. You can contact us directly to discuss your concerns and book an assessment.

However, if you want to claim rebates through specific funding (like NDIS or Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management Plan), that funding source might require a referral. We’d recommend having a chat with our admin team about your funding options.

How often and how long therapy continues varies quite a lot depending on your child’s individual needs, how significant their challenges are, and the goals we set during their assessment. Some children benefit from weekly sessions, whilst others might come every two weeks. We’ll work with you to create a personalised therapy schedule that best supports your child’s progress.

In Australia, some occupational therapy services may be covered under Medicare through a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan – this does require a GP referral though. Private health insurance policies often offer rebates for occupational therapy, depending on your level of coverage.

We’d recommend checking with your specific private health fund for details about your eligibility and rebate amounts. For NDIS participants, our services may be funded if occupational therapy’s included in your plan.

Parent involvement is really important for successful therapy results. Our therapists will give you practical strategies, activities, and home practice suggestions that you can work into your child’s daily routines. Consistently using these strategies at home reinforces learning and helps your child transfer skills from the clinic to their everyday environments.

We encourage open communication and we’re always here to answer your questions and provide guidance.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you and your child to Kid Speak and starting this experience together.

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