Frequently Asked Questions

Paediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) is all about helping children take part in their everyday life as easily and confidently as possible.

For children, their “occupations” are the things that fill their day such as playing, getting dressed, eating, going to school, making friends, learning new skills and joining in with family life. When any of these feel tricky, an Occupational Therapist helps to figure out why and what can help.

Children’s OT focuses on practical, realistic strategies that fit into daily routines at home, school or nursery. It’s not about changing who your child is, it’s about supporting them to thrive in their own way and empowering you to feel confident to support their needs.

Any child who finds everyday activities tricky can benefit from Occupational Therapy.

This might include children who struggle with things like putting on a t-shirt, using cutlery, handwriting, attention and focus, coordination, managing sensory preferences or coping with daily routines at home or school. 

Occupational Therapists are often involved with children with additional needs such as Autism, ADHD, developmental delay, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome. However, you do not need a diagnosis to access Occupational Therapy. If something feels harder than you’d expect for your child, OT can help explore what’s going on.

No, a diagnosis is not needed to access Occupational Therapy.

Many families seek OT support because they have noticed their child is finding everyday activities tricky or because something just doesn’t feel quite right. OT can support children at any stage, with or without a diagnosis.

For some families, Occupational Therapy is helpful while they’re waiting for assessments. For others, it’s about understanding their child’s strengths and needs and putting practical support in place early on. The focus is always on supporting your child in everyday life, not on labels.

These are just some examples of what OT can help with:

• Dressing

• Toileting

• Play skills

• Using cutlery 

• Handwriting

• Using scissors

• Coordination and balance

• Attention, transitions and changes in routines

• Sensory preferences that affect daily life

• Food sensitivities

Many families choose online OT because it places parents at the centre of the process. By working together online, you will gain practical strategies, confidence and understanding you can use every day at home. This approach supports lasting change while fitting around family life, without the pressure of clinic visits or long waits for support.

Online OT works well for many children, especially when parents are looking for practical strategies, guidance and support they can use day to day. It’s particularly helpful for children with developmental delays, neurodiversity or additional needs where routines, regulation and functional skills are the focus. If you’re unsure whether this approach is the right fit, lets talk it through together.

Parent coaching is a collaborative way of working where you and I bring different expertise to the table. You are the expert in your child and your family. My role is to support you by offering an Occupational Therapy perspective, helping make sense of what you’re noticing and sharing practical strategies you can use at home. 

For example, you notice that your child manages their morning routine well but becomes distressed when it’s time to brush their teeth. I consider sensory sensitivities (such as flavour and texture of toothpaste), environmental factors (bathroom lighting, noises, smells) and how the task is structured. Strategies might include ensuring you brush in front of a mirror for visual feedback and predictability, that you always brush together or identifying oral motor activities to help desensitize the mouth before brushing. 

During our sessions, we explore difficulties with functional skills, everyday routines and goals together. I help you look at these through an OT lens, considering regulation, sensory processing, motor skills and environmental factors. You then try strategies in real life, and we reflect on what’s working and adapt things as needed. This approach builds confidence, understanding and skills over time, so you feel supported and empowered in helping your child.