OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES IN WESTERN SUBURBS OF MELBOURNE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR KIDS
At Horizon Allied Health OT, we have been dedicated to providing expert paediatric occupational therapy services across Melbourne’s Western and North Eastern suburbs for over a decade. Our experienced team supports children from infancy through all stages of their developmental journey, focusing on building essential skills, enhancing independence, and helping each child achieve their unique goals.
We take an eclectic, neuro-affirming approach, drawing on a broad range of therapeutic models such as but not limited to sensory regulation, and neuro-developmental therapy (NDT). Recognising that every nervous system is unique, we tailor our support to meet each child where they are, integrating evidence based therapeutic models and developmental frameworks with neuro-affirming values. This approach empowers children to develop regulation, participation, and confidence in ways that respect and celebrate their natural differences and strengths. Our services are designed to fit seamlessly into your child’s life, whether through convenient home visits or by supporting children in their everyday environments at kindergarten and school.
OUR PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES ...
DEVELOPMENTAL AND DISABILITY
Our occupational therapists can help with a wide range of conditions such as but not limited to developmental delays, sensory processing, Autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, conditions affecting the hands or arms such as juvenile arthritis, medical conditions and genetic disorders such as Down syndrome.
OT FOR INFANTS AND BABIES
Occupational therapy services for infants is a specialised area of practice that can help babies with delays to enhance their central nervous system development, sensory development, movement, and motor control. This service is offered by our senior occupational therapists with more than 4 years clinical experience.
OT GROUPS
OT GROUPS
We offer group occupational therapy designed to benefit children of all abilities, no formal diagnosis or referral required.
Social Skills Groups:
For children who want to practise making friends, sharing, turn-taking, and understanding social cues.
Reach and Regulate Groups:
Helping children learn to manage their emotions, cope with sensory input, and develop self-regulation strategies.
School Readiness Groups:
Preparing children for the routines, expectations, and skills needed for a successful start at school.
SOME OF OUR THERAPY APPROACHES...
Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Paediatric, NDT)
NDT is a clinical practice model that looks to improve the mobility and function of individuals
Sensory Regulation
We offer paediatric sensory processing therapy to support children who face challenges in processing sensory information. Our experienced occupational therapists develop individualised therapy plans that aims to enhance self-regulation and promote the inprovement of functional skills through tailored activities to assist children to navigate their sensory environments.
Handwriting
We use remediation programs such as Learning without tears, Beery Remediation and The Print Tool to develop letter formation, sizing and spacing in print style and cursive style writing.
Fussy Eaters
We offer guidance with developing independence with mealtimes, exploring and engaging with new foods, exploring alternative foods and food preparation options. We work closely with your child’s speech pathologist and other health professions such as a Dietitian if your child struggles with food.
M.O.R.E: Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions
This model involves using sensori-motor and postural functions with the suck, swallow and breathe synchrony to facilitate function through improved respiratory patterns, self-regulation, visual-motor skills, feeding and communication.
Alert program
This program teaches the child by using an analogy that the body is like a car engine that could be running too high or at times too low and sometimes just right. We use a range of low-cost resources and activities that could be incorporated into the home or school routines.
DIR/Floortime
This is a play-based approach where the therapist follows your child’s lead while extending their engagement in social interaction, create and facilitate situations for problem solving and logical thinking, encourage imaginative play and encourage reciprocal communication.