What occupational therapy actually is
Occupational therapy is the work of helping a child do the things a child needs to do. Eat, dress, sit at a desk, hold a pencil, climb a ladder, ride in a car without melting down, take part in a birthday party without overwhelm. The “occupations” of a child’s day.
The reasons a child struggles with these can be many — under-developed motor skills, sensitivity to certain sensory input, difficulty planning movement, low core strength, or some combination. Our job is to figure out which, and to build a plan that addresses the right thing in the right order.
Who OT is for
You might be reading this if:
- Your child melts down at the texture of certain clothes, foods, or surfaces
- Holding a pencil, using scissors, or buttoning a shirt is taking far longer to come than you expected
- They struggle with balance, coordination, or seem to “crash into” everything
- Sitting still through a meal, a class, or a car ride feels impossible
- They can’t tolerate haircuts, nail-cutting, or brushing teeth
- A paediatrician, school, or another therapist has suggested an OT assessment
You don’t need a diagnosis to start. If something feels off, an OT assessment is a reasonable first step.
What an OT session looks like
Most of our OT happens in the sensory gym. There are swings, climbing structures, weighted toys, balance boards, and a ball pit. To a child it looks like a playroom. To us it’s a carefully chosen toolkit.
A typical session is 45 to 60 minutes. The therapist follows the child’s lead more than you’d expect — the work is in shaping the play, not directing it. We watch closely, adjust the input, and over weeks, the child’s nervous system learns. The fork held differently. The shoelace tied. The party survived. The car ride that didn’t end in a meltdown.
How we approach OT
One senior therapist, one plan, one child. Your child has a primary OT who owns the plan, runs the sessions, and knows the case in detail. They aren’t passed between rotating juniors.
The plan changes when your child does. OT plans adapt — sometimes weekly. We don’t run a 12-week template. The therapist adjusts goals, intensity, and tools based on what’s actually happening for your child this month.
You are part of the plan. Many OT goals only stick if home reinforces them. Your therapist will give you specific things to try at home — not a generic handout. Monthly parent connects review what’s working and what isn’t.
What you can expect
Pace. OT is slow work. Sensory and motor systems re-pattern over weeks and months, not days. Most children we see come in 2–3 times a week to start; that often steps down as progress consolidates.
Reports. A written progress report goes home regularly. Each report names what we worked on, what’s improving, what isn’t, and what’s next. No vague language.
PTMs. Parent-Teacher Meetings happen on a regular cadence — led by the senior therapist, not delegated.
What we don’t promise. A timeline. Every child’s nervous system is its own. What we do promise is a plan that’s specific, a therapist who knows your child, and a senior therapist’s eyes on the work every week.
Frequently asked
Does my child need a diagnosis to start OT? No. An OT assessment is itself a way to understand what’s happening. If a diagnosis is needed, the assessment helps point toward whether and which.
How many sessions a week? Most children start at 2–3 sessions a week. Some need more, some less. The senior OT recommends a frequency after the assessment, and revisits it every few months.
Will I be in the room? Sometimes, especially early on, and during specific kinds of work where parent involvement is part of the plan. Often, no — children frequently work better when a parent isn’t watching. Either way, you’ll be told why for each session.
What’s the difference between OT and physiotherapy? Physiotherapy is generally focused on specific physical impairments and rehabilitation. OT works on the integration of motor, sensory, and cognitive systems in the context of daily life. The two can complement each other; some children benefit from both.
What’s the difference between OT and ABA? OT addresses the underlying motor and sensory systems. ABA addresses behaviours directly. For some children, both are useful — and the two therapists co-ordinate.
How will I know if it’s working? You’ll see it at home before you read it in a report. The shoelace tied. The food eaten. The morning that didn’t end in a meltdown. The reports name the same changes in clinical language.