Frequently Asked Questions

Find out what our new clients want to know most.

General Questions

What is occupational therapy for children?

Occupational therapy for children focuses on improving a child’s ability to participate in everyday activities, such as school, play, and self-care, by addressing physical, sensory, cognitive and social-emotional challenges.

Each child’s needs are different so each child is treated as an individual throughout their treatment, with a personalised care plan and approach.

How does occupational therapy benefit children?

Occupational therapy improves well-being by addressing a child’s individual needs and strengths. It helps children develop essential skills for daily living, enhances their independence, improves their self-esteem, and fosters meaningful connections with their environment and the people around them.

What age range of children do you work with?

At The Whole Child, we work with children of all ages, from infants to adolescents, tailoring our therapeutic interventions to meet their unique developmental needs.

What natural therapies and holistic approaches do you incorporate?

We believe in a holistic approach to therapy, integrating natural therapies such as sensory integration, play-based interventions and nature-based activities to support children’s overall well-being.

Our practitioners are also GAPS experts. We work with families to uncover the connection between gut health and mental/physical wellbeing, and identify pathways to improvement.

We have a Certified GAPS Practitioner on our team who is passionate about natural approaches.

How do you collaborate with families and other professionals?

The Whole Child values collaboration and actively involves families in the therapy process. We provide support, education and resources to empower families to continue therapeutic activities at home.

What conditions or challenges do you address?

The Occupational Therapists at The Whole Child address a wide range of conditions and challenges, including sensory processing disorders, fine and gross motor delays, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and emotional regulation difficulties.

Do you offer teletherapy services?

Yes, we offer teletherapy services to provide flexible and convenient options for families who prefer remote therapy sessions or are unable to attend in-person appointments.

How often will my child need therapy sessions?

The frequency of OT sessions depends on your child’s needs and goals. After an initial evaluation we will work with you to develop a personalised plan that outlines the recommended frequency of sessions.

How can I schedule an appointment or learn more about your services?

To schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, please contact us by email. We’re here to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process of starting therapy for your child.

Are your services covered by insurance or included in my NDIS plan?

Talk to us about payments and NDIS eligibility when you book your appointment.

Is my appointment covered by Medicare or Private Healthcare?

Yes, talk to us about Medicare and private health rebates when you book your appointment.

Do I need a GP referral for an occupational therapist appointment?

You can self-refer and access our services. Simply send us an email or fill in our enquiry form.
For privately funded clients it can be helpful to have a GP referral as it may mean you can access Medicare Rebates for privately funded sessions. As well, it can be helpful to include the GP in your therapy journey.

How long is your wait list?

The waitlist varies. Please submit an enquiry and we will let you know when we can schedule an appointment.

Funding for Services

Can I access funding for therapy services at The Whole Child?

Yes, there are various ways you might access funding for therapy services.

  • NDIS – we provide services to clients with NDIS packages who are plan managed or self managed.
  • Private funding – you can pay privately for sessions according to our current private fee schedule 
  • Private funding with rebates from GP if they have provided a Medicare Referral
  • Private funding with rebates from Private Health Fund
  • CheckUp subsidizes services for clients of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background to access bulk-billed services with a GP referral.
  • Medicare rebates (if GP has provided a Medicare Referral).

Initial Assessments for New Clients – School Holiday Clinic

What is the School Holiday Clinic for Initial Assessments?

The school holidays are a time when we are able to take on some new clients for initial assessments, Functional Capacity Assessments, and reports. This means you don’t have to wait as long as the regular waiting list to be seen and will also mean you may have access to priority consideration for therapy sessions if a regular spot becomes available that suits you.

Processes, Assessment, Reports

What is the process when you see a client?

We’ll send out an Intake Questionnaire and you have the opportunity to send us any relevant reports or documentation. We’ll read these to prepare for our initial session. Our initial session will likely be a time to build rapport, check in with you and your child about your main concerns, and work out a plan for further assessment or therapy sessions.

During our initial session, we’ll explore your main concerns with you and your child, prioritize building rapport, and plan further assessments or therapy sessions.

Do you always start with assessment?

We don’t always start with formal assessments. Our initial priority is to establish rapport as the therapeutic relationship between our therapists and your child plays a key role in achieving breakthroughs. As we are highly trained in task analysis and observation, we are always doing informal assessments. However, there might be times when we do need to do more structured, formal assessments. These may include questionnaires, interviews, observational checklists and assessments with structured tasks to complete. All of our therapists are equipped with the skills and experience required to conduct formal assessments when required.

Is a report written after the first appointment?

No. Reports are written if they are needed or requested for varying reasons. Reports take a long time to write well, and we won’t write one if it isn’t needed.

Therapy Sessions

What do therapy sessions involve?

Therapy sessions will usually involve a lot of play and fun as it is crucial to establish a strong therapeutic relationship between the OT or Therapy Assistant and your child/family.

How often can we expect to have sessions?

Frequency of sessions varies depending on your needs. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly sessions are common. Sometimes when we’ve had therapy sessions and achieved many goals we’ll trail off slowly, so might have a review session every few months. Our aim is for you to no longer need us, but we want to stick with you until you feel that is completely true.

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