Occupational Therapy For Children

Occupational Therapy helps kids to develop the physical skills they need to learn, play and manage their everyday lives.

If your child has difficulty with:

• Fine motor skills, such as handwriting , cutting, puzzle completion and construction
• Gross motor skills, involving balance, endurance, posture or sporting competencies
• Attention and concentration because of ineffective processing of sensory information in the environment around them
• Self organisation, like planning and sequencing tasks or managing personal belongings like hats, lunchboxes and homework
• Self care skills, such as toileting, eating and getting ready for school
• Learning challenges presented by conditions like Autism Spectrum disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders, Global Developmental Delay , Dyspraxia / Developmental Co-ordination Disorder or Specific Learning Difficulties

The early intervention of Kids First’s professional Occupational Therapists could make a real difference to your child’s self esteem and learning success.

Download this checklist that will help you to determine if your child needs Occuaptional Therapy

Occupational Therapy at Kids First  

Kids First’s paediatric Occupational Therapists are experienced professionals who specialise in meeting the needs of children with motor coordination and sensory difficulties.

They devise creative, relevant and positive therapy programs for children and work in partnership with families to support and encourage kids aged 2-18.

Our team members are specialists in the areas of sensory integration, visual perception, information processing and motor coordination.

They have extensive experience with children of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, ADHD, disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy and other developmental delays.

At Kids First, our Occupational Therapists provide personal and individual therapy to children and can provide your family with:

• A comprehensive assessment of your child’s motor coordination and sensory needs
• Engaging individual and small group therapy sessions that are enjoyable and fun for kids
• Detailed reports and professional recommendations to help improve your child’s play, learning and self care skills
• An individual support plan that will address your child’s needs efficiently and effectively
• Collaboration with other relevant professionals to provide your child with consistent, informed support

Our Occupational Therapists also offer small group programs for pre-school and school aged children, as well as fun school holiday programs.

Write Away - Handwriting Groups 

**As seen in the Manly Daily**

For children with untidy, difficult to read handwriting, classwork, homework, assignments and exams often pose significant challenges. 

In fact, recent research indicates that because these kids often spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to write neatly, they are sometimes unable to simultaneously engage the higher order planning and composition skills that are needed to write successful stories and essays.

Write Away is an affordable new Occupational Therapy program that helps kids to improve their fine motor skills so that they can write more neatly. It helps kids to develop their speed, clarity and legibility so that their written work reflects their true ability and meaning.

Exclusive to Kids First, Write Away is a fun small group program led by expert paediatric Occupational Therapists,

Write Away is suited to children in Years K-4 and groups take place on Monday and Tuesday afternoons after school.

Prior to entry into Write Away, your child may require a screening assessment with an Occupational Therapist to determine suitability for this program.

For more information, call Kids First Children's Services on 9938 5419

Power On - Core Strength groups

**As seen in the Manly Daily**

Does your child .....

 • have difficulty sitting still?
 • find it hard to pay attention in class?
 • have low tone?
 • lack confidence in playground games?
 • struggle to coordinate left and right play ball games and ride a bike?
 

If so, Kids First's Power On groups could make a difference to your child's learning, concentration and confidence.

The ‘Core’ is the term given to the deep postural muscles that make up the trunk of the body. These muscles enable your child to maintain balance and keeps your child centred and focused.

Kids who have poor 'Core Strength' find it hard to hold their body in position so that they can concentrate and learn. They are often described as over-active children with poor handwriting, short attention spans and 'sloppy' posture.

Power On is a fun weekly small group program that gives kids the chance to enjoy games and exercises that strengthen their core muscles and enhance their ability to focus and attend to tasks.
 
Provided by Kids First’s team of experienced paediatric Occupational Therapists, Power On offers practical support and ideas that you can implement at home to support your child’s learning and school performance.
 
Power On is an Occupational Therapy service suited to children aged 7-10 and is offered after school on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

Prior to entry into Power On, your child may require a screening assessment with an Occupational Therapist to determine suitability for this program

For more information, call Kids First Children's Services on 9938 5419

Medicare and Health fund rebates

A medical referral is not necessary for children to access Occupational Therapy services at Kids First, however, rebates may be available through Medicare if appropriate referral is made by your family doctor or paediatrician. Many health funds also provide cover for Occupational Therapy services – please check with your health fund for the specifics of your policy.

Occupational Therapy services at Kids First are also provided to children eligible for funding support through FAHCSIA’s Helping Children with Autism Early Intervention program. For additional information about rebates and funding, click here.

Parent Testimonial

The progress that my son has made since starting Occupational Therapy at Kids First is nothing short of amazing. His fine motor skills have improved out of sight and it's never a drama to bring him each week because he always has so much fun.
Daniel's mum, Kellie

Approved Health Funds