paediatric occupational therapy

Paediatric Occupational Therapy at Thriving Lives Co. | Cairns

Supporting children to participate, connect and thrive in everyday life

At Thriving Lives Co., our paediatric occupational therapy Cairns services support children and young people to develop the skills, confidence and strategies they need to participate in everyday activities.

Children learn and develop through play, relationships and meaningful experiences. Our occupational therapists work alongside children, families and carers to understand each child’s strengths, challenges and goals, creating personalised therapy plans that support participation at home, school and in the community.

Whether your child needs support with self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing, fine motor skills, school participation or daily routines, our team provides evidence-informed and family-centred care.

What is paediatric
Occupational Therapy?

Paediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children participate in the activities that are important to them.

For children, these activities may include:

  • Playing
  • Learning at school
  • Making friends
  • Developing independence
  • Managing emotions
  • Getting dressed
  • Eating and mealtimes
  • Joining family and community activities

Occupational therapists look at the whole child, including their abilities, environment, interests and goals.

The aim is to support children to participate more confidently in daily life.

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How can paediatric occupational therapy help?

Paediatric occupational therapy may support children experiencing challenges with:

Fine motor skills and coordination

Fine motor skills involve using the small muscles of the hands and fingers for everyday activities.

Occupational therapy may support skills such as:

  • Drawing and writing
  • Using scissors
  • Managing buttons and zips
  • Hand strength and coordination
  • Playing with toys and activities requiring precision

Self-care and independence

Some children need extra support learning everyday routines.

Our occupational therapists can help children develop skills related to:

  • Dressing
  • Toileting
  • Personal hygiene
  • Mealtimes
  • Morning and bedtime routines

Therapy focuses on making these activities achievable and meaningful for each child.

Sensory processing and regulation

Some children experience the world differently due to sensory processing differences.

This may affect:

  • How they respond to sounds, touch or movement
  • Their ability to focus
  • Emotional regulation
  • Participation in daily routines

Occupational therapy can help children and families understand sensory needs and develop practical strategies to support participation.

Emotional regulation and coping skills

Children may sometimes find it difficult to manage big emotions, transitions or changes in routine.

Our occupational therapists can support children to develop strategies for:

  • Recognising emotions
  • Managing stress
  • Coping with change
  • Participating more confidently in everyday activities

School participation

School involves many skills beyond academic learning.

Paediatric occupational therapy may support children with:

  • Classroom participation
  • Handwriting skills
  • Organisation
  • Attention and regulation
  • Social participation
  • Managing school routines

We can work collaboratively with families and other supports to help children participate successfully.

A child-centred approach to occupational therapy

At Thriving Lives Co., we believe children engage best when therapy is meaningful, encouraging and connected to their interests.

Our approach focuses on:

Understanding your child

We take time to understand your child’s strengths, personality, preferences and goals.

Making therapy meaningful

Sessions are built around activities that are motivating and relevant to your child’s everyday life.

Supporting families

Parents and carers play an important role in helping children build skills outside therapy sessions.

We provide practical strategies that can be incorporated into daily routines.

Paediatric occupational therapy and NDIS support

Thriving Lives Co. provides paediatric occupational therapy support for children and families accessing the NDIS.

Our occupational therapists can assist children working towards goals related to:

  • Independence
  • Daily living skills
  • Communication and participation
  • School involvement
  • Social engagement
  • Family routines

We work collaboratively with families, carers and other healthcare professionals to support each child’s individual goals.

Working together with our allied health team

Children often benefit from a collaborative approach.

At Thriving Lives Co., our multidisciplinary team includes:

Working together allows us to support children from multiple perspectives, including movement, independence, wellbeing and participation.

Referral Pathways

Kids living with a disability can receive care from our team by privately paying for services or via funding within the ‘Improved Daily Living Skills’ and ‘Improved Health and Wellbeing’ funding categories within their NDIS Participant Plan. Let us help your child maximise the positive changes they can experience in their life through allied health service provision support as part of their NDIS plan. For more information regarding support through an NDIS plan, please see here.

Depending upon an individual’s circumstances funding may also be possible via the following funding schemes for allied health services:

Why choose Thriving Lives Co. for paediatric occupational therapy?

Located in Bungalow, Cairns, Thriving Lives Co. provides family-centred allied health support for children and families throughout Cairns and surrounding areas.

Our team focuses on:

  • Individualised therapy goals
  • Evidence-informed strategies
  • Collaboration with families
  • Supporting meaningful participation

We aim to help children build confidence and develop skills that support everyday life.

Thriving Lives Co. is committed to being a child safe organisation. Children and young people have the
right to feel safe, be heard, be respected, understand their care, and speak up if something does not
feel right. Read our Child Safe Commitment and Charter of Commitment to Children and Young People
here: National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

What Sets Us Apart

  • We value our client’s insights:
    We spend the time required to truly listen and understand
  • Mobile Service:
    We remove barriers in accessing quality healthcare to flexibly support our clients wherever they desire
  • Interdisciplinary Collaborative Approach: All the allied health services you need under one roof
  • Commitment to evidence-based care:
    We will always be guided by the latest research for the highest level of care