A Peads OT is someone who has specialised in the area of child development and associated disorders. We focus on your child's developmental roles and help you to help them work towards independence in their daily functional goals.

In short, a Peads OT is a ‘Life Coach’ for anything to do with home, school or community involvement in a child’s life.

An OT’s goal is always to work towards functional independence no matter the disability, age or stage of life.

Your child may have been recommended to attend OT because the teacher or other specialist has identified a need in their developmental milestones. An OT can assess and advise you on how to address these concerns in a creative and fun way for your child's particular development stage.

You do not specifically need a referral to OT unless you require funding support, in which case, yes it is necessary to speak to your GP to obtain a referral. However, there is always an out of pocket Gap fee on these rebates, which you are required to pay at the time of your appointment.

Kimochis®

Fluffy toys with feelings inside that assist in the development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Kimochis® are sensory toys that appeal to children of all ages, and enable them to safely explore and express complex feelings in a simple manner. They help to increase social awareness , establish positive relationships and interactions with others as well as challenging the children to consider problem solving through difficult situations. Kimochi (Key-mou-chee) means “Feelings” in Japanese.

The Alert Program®

The Alert Program® was created by occupational therapists, Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger. The program was developed to teach children how to change how alert they feel (regulation) and to teach adults how to support learning, attending, and developing positive behaviours. By using an engine analogy, children learn “your body is like a car engine, sometimes it runs on high, sometimes it runs on low, and sometimes it runs just right.”

Zones of Regulation®

A curriculum designed to help students identify their feelings and emotional reactions and learn sensory and perspective taking strategies that encourage better self-regulation. A simple colour coded, four zones format encourages learning. This is a classroom and family friendly tool with wide application across students of all ages, right into adulthood.

Social Thinking®

Evidence-based strategies to help people age 4 yrs upwards, to improve their social competencies, including:

• Self-regulation

• Social-emotional learning

• Executive functioning

• Perspective taking

• Social problem solving

The Resilience Donut®

The Resilience Donut® is a practical, research-validated model being used around the world to build the emotional resilience and wellbeing of children, adolescents and adults.

Secret Agent Society

The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Computer Game Pack and Small Group Program help kids 8-12 years of age crack the ‘code’ of emotions and friendships. Junior Detectives graduate from SAS equipped with the skills to feel happier, calmer and braver while making new friends and keeping them.

DIR Floortime

DIR/Floortime was developed by researchers Stanley Greenspan, MD and Serena Wieder, PhD.

DIR/Floortime is designed for children with autism and other developmental needs. Early Intervention is recommended - the earlier the better.

The DIR/Floortime Model aims to promote child development through interaction with parents and others in play. It is intended to help children reach early milestones in their social emotional development.

Other common names for this therapy include the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based Model and the Greenspan Approach.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

CBT, or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, combines cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy techniques to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors in children. By focusing on changing these patterns, CBT equips children with practical strategies to handle stressful situations effectively.

Through role-playing and other interactive methods, children can practice alternative ways of responding to challenges, leading to improved coping skills and overall well-being. CBT can be used alongside other therapies to target specific symptoms and enhance treatment outcomes.

By exploring new perspectives and developing realistic strategies, children learn to replace self-defeating thoughts and behaviors with more positive reactions. These skills not only improve their current quality of life but also become ingrained habits that can benefit them throughout their lives.

CBT helps children develop strategies to address impulsivity, defiance, and meltdowns while fostering improved self-image, coping mechanisms, problem-solving abilities, and self-control. With CBT, children gain valuable tools to navigate life's challenges and thrive in the present and future.

Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS):

Focused Psychological Strategies, are specialised mental healthcare approaches rooted in evidence-based psychological therapies. Medicare has authourised a variety of effective strategies for OT’s to employ under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative when treating children with autism.

These include psychoeducation, such as motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) encompassing behavioral and cognitive interventions, relaxation techniques, skill-building exercises like problem-solving, anger management, social skills development, communication training, stress management, and parent management training. Additionally, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is among the approved strategies.

Parent Coaching:

An Occupational Therapist (OT) specialising in paediatrics possesses a unique blend of expertise in childhood development and a compassionate demeanor, enabling them to collaborate effectively with parents. Acting as a parent coach, a Pediatric OT offers invaluable guidance to parents as they navigate the intricate and emotional journey of raising their child, regardless of whether they have special needs or challenges.

Through parent coaching sessions, an OT Parent Coach provides support, shares effective parenting strategies, and assists families in creating nurturing and structured environments. This dual approach ensures that therapy extends beyond sessions, enriching the child's entire support system—including their home, school, and community life.

Parent coaching aims to empower parents, equipping them with the confidence and tools needed to effectively manage and lead their child's development journey.

Ayres Sensory Integration® Therapy

Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI®) represents a well-established therapeutic approach that is continuously developing. It is utilised across diverse settings such as homes, schools, and communities. Developed by A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, FAOTA—an occupational therapist, psychologist, and neuroscientist—this framework initially demonstrated efficacy in addressing learning and behavioral challenges in children. Over time, it has evolved into an evidence-based practice, particularly beneficial for children on the autism spectrum.

ASI® is meticulously designed to enhance sensory perceptual abilities, self-regulation, motor skills, and praxis, ultimately fostering improved behaviour, learning outcomes, and social engagement for clients. Through carefully structured physical activities, ASI® aims to elicit adaptive responses by providing sensory stimuli, thereby facilitating increasingly complex behavioural responses.

Typically, ASI® intervention occurs in specialised therapy rooms equipped with sensory apparatuses offering tactile, visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular experiences. This intervention is conducted collaboratively with primary caregivers, ensuring alignment with the client's needs and goals.

The Bobath Concept/ Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)

The Bobath concept, also referred to as Neurodevelopmental Treatment, is a problem-solving method utilised for assessing and addressing movement, tone, and functional limitations in individuals affected by central nervous system lesions. Named after its founders, Berta Bobath, a physiotherapist, and her husband Karl, a psychiatrist/ neuropsychiatrist, this approach was developed to assist clients with central nervous system anomalies such as Cerebral Palsy. They typically face challenges with postural control and movement against gravity. The approach operates on the principle that normal postural reflex mechanisms are essential for effective motor skill performance. Key components of the Bobath approach include facilitation techniques such as therapeutic handling, environmental modifications, and the use of appropriate verbal cues.

The normal postural reflex mechanisms encompass righting and equilibrium reactions, reciprocal innervation, and motor coordination patterns. By addressing these mechanisms, the Bobath concept aims to optimise recovery potential and enhance motor performance by tapping into the neuroplasticity of the brain.