Paediatric OT

Paediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health profession that offers support and advice to parents of children who are having difficulties in their everyday living skills. For a child, everyday ‘occupations’ include: play & leisure activities, self care, kinder-related tasks eg, drawing, puzzles, cutting, etc.

Who is eligible for the Paediatric Occupational Therapy service?

The eligibility criteria for this service is consistent with the other DGCHS Children’s Therapy service criteria ie,

·        Pre-school aged children only

·        Child is not currently on a waiting list for Early Intervention services

·        Child does not have a diagnosis of Developmental Delay, Austism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or any other physical disability

·        Child and/or family live, work or attend kinder/crèche within the city of Moonee Valley or City of Melbourne. *

Who can refer to the service?

• Parents
• Paediatricians, GP’s
• Kinder teachers, child care workers, pre-school field officers
• Maternal and child health nurses, other health professionals (including those from DGCHS)

Skills assessed and treated by a Paediaitric Occupational Therapist:

·        fine motor co-ordination (co-ordinated movement of fingers)

·        gross motor co-ordination (larger muscle groups)

·        bilateral co-ordination (use of two hands)

·        visual perception skills (ability to make sense of visual information)

·        body awareness (awareness of one’s own body and movement in space)

·        cognitive skills (planning, problem solving, organisation, memory)

·        sensory perception (how the body perceives different sensory information - touch, hearing, sight, pressure, taste)

·        attention and concentration

What to expect after initial contact is made?

Each child will initially attend a screening clinic to determine the child and family’s needs.

The service provided to each family is dependant on the individual needs identified by family and referrer eg, other health professionals, teachers etc.

It may include further assessments (in addition to screening clinic), home program, individual therapy sessions (block of 5 weeks at a time), group therapy programs, kinder/crèche visits, education to family and relevant others eg, teachers and review sessions.

What are the days of service?

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30 – 4.30

The paediatric OT works closely with other members of the children’s service team eg, speech pathologists and physiotherapist and family counsellors.