How Occupational Therapy Supports Play, Regulation, and Daily Life in Children

If you’ve never attended an occupational therapy appointment for your child before, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what an occupational therapist (OT) does and how they can help.

Occupational therapy supports children to engage more confidently in everyday life. This includes play, emotional regulation, sensory experiences, and daily activities at home, school, and in the community.

Below, we explore how occupational therapists support children’s development and how the Nurture team approaches therapy in a respectful, neuro-affirming way.

What is an Occupational Therapist?

An occupational therapist is a university-trained professional who helps children improve on things they need to do in daily routines.

An OT helps children to:

• Take part in play and leisure activities, such as blowing bubbles, playing with a ball, or engaging in imaginative play

• Develop personal hygiene and self-care skills, including bathing, dressing, feeding, and brushing teeth

• Move confidently within their environment, such as navigating stairs, playground equipment, or classroom spaces

• Build social interaction skills and support developmental milestones

• Understand and manage sensory differences, such as sensitivities to noise, movement, or textures

• Develop emotional regulation skills that support participation and wellbeing

Occupational therapists also might work with children who have psychological or emotional challenges, difficulties due to illness or injury, learning difficulties, a physical disability, cognitive development delays, or autism.

They can work with children one-on-one or in groups, depending on the child's goals and needs. An OT often works alongside psychologists, public and private hospitals, schools and preschools, and private clinics such as early intervention centres.

Sometimes, there is confusion about the role of an occupational therapist, as there can be an overlap with psychological support. While OTs are not mental health professionals and do not diagnose mental health conditions, they can support children by addressing functional impacts of anxiety, stress, or sensory overload (including overstimulation in autistic children) through practical, everyday strategies.

Why would your child see an occupational therapist?

Your child might see an OT if they have difficulties doing everyday things. An OT helps with many areas of child development, such as:

• Thinking and problem solving

• Emotional regulation

• Behaviour and self-management

• Sensory processing

• Play and social interactions

• Fine motor skills (such as handwriting, using cutlery, or fastening clothing)

• Gross motor skills (such as balance, coordination, and strength)

OTs take a strengths-based, family-centred approach. This means focusing on what your child can do, building on their interests, and considering the unique needs and routines of your family when supporting your child.

What do you need to know before going to an occupational therapist?

If your nurse or GP is referring you to an OT, it can be a good idea to speak to them about:

• Why your child should see an occupational therapist, the goals your child wants to work on, and how the OT can help.

• Talk to the GP about how you can make an appointment. Is it in person or through Telehealth?

• Is there anything you can do while waiting for an appointment? For example, noting your concerns, tasks your child has difficulties with, and the supports your child already gets (you can ask for reports from your psychologist)

• How much will the appointment cost? Check whether you can receive help with Medicare or the National Disability Insurance Scheme if your child is a participant

• Where is the occupational therapist located?

• Do they have the correct qualifications? They must be registered by the AHPRA, meaning they have met all the standards needed to practice as an OT

Preparing this information can help you feel more confident and supported before your first appointment.

How is the Nurture Team Different?

We are a neurodivergent led, neurodiverse allied health team that provides neuro-affirming services that set us apart in the field of paediatric speech pathology.

Our team is always up to date with recommendations made by the neurodivergent community while also guiding our practice with our own lived experiences being neurodivergent!

Are you a parent looking for support for your neurodivergent child or young adult? With our neuro-affirming approach, we focus on building up practical skills, fostering independence, and improving overall well-being.

Each client has a therapy plan that is customised to their needs and goals. Let's look at our approach at Nurture SA:

• All our interventions are strengths-based, leveraging individual strengths to achieve a meaningful goal.

• We collaborate with families and caregivers as our partners in the therapeutic process.

• Our care is holistic. We work with Speech Pathologists and other professionals to ensure a well-rounded support system.

• We offer play-based therapy, which makes therapy fun and engaging for children

• We are neurodiversity-affirming. We value different ways of thinking and experiencing the world, supporting each person’s strengths and goals without pressure to conform.

• Trauma-informed, we provide safe, respectful care that recognises the impact of trauma and supports choice, collaboration, and recovery.

If you would like to learn more, you can call us or use our contact form. We also welcome health professional referrals and waitlist enquiries and provide clear information about fees, funding, and rebates for full transparency.

Refer to us.