Visiting an OT

What will happen in the first session?

The first appointment at All About Kids is called an initial consultation. In general, most of the time will be used to speak with you and learn about your child, your reason for seeking support and what your main concerns are. It is important that you have thought about what difficulties your child is experiencing and what you are hoping to gain from attending therapy. This will help your OT understand what questions to ask you. 

Often in our initial sessions we may only spend the time talking with you, complete assessments with your child (i.e. handwriting assessment for illegible letters) or provide information on referrals (should I be seeing another practitioner, is there somewhere else more specialised for my child? What funding options can I access?). Typically, sessions will go for 45-50 minutes face to face with the OT, leaving the remainder for case notes and other client related services.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

The more information you can provide and documentation regarding your child the better because it helps us understand and prepare! If you have accessed any other services and have reports or information please bring them along.

• Previous OT Reports/Letters
• Speech and Language Therapy Report/Letters
• Psychology Reports/Letters
• Cognitive Assessment Reports
• Recent Paediatrician Reports/Letters
• Other health professional reports/letters
• Recent school report cards
• Any relevant medical reports
• List of when milestones were reached/baby milestone book
• Handwriting samples (if applicable)
• Videos of gross motor activities (i.e. bike riding if your child finds this difficult)
• List of medications and dosages

You might find it helpful to make a list of concerns or goals and bring this with you.  

What will we talk about?

Each intake consultation looks very different for each child and family, based on challenges and referral reasons. The type of information we talk about include:

• Main difficulties
• Developmental history from birth
• Milestones
• Play skills
• School academics
• Social skills and friendships
• School concerns
• Speech and language development
• Sensory needs
• Attention and focus
• Self-regulation
• Emotional regulation
• Gross motor skills
• Funding
• Interests and strengths
• Fine motor skills
• Self-care
• Referral/support from other professionals

We will also confirm goals, the type of intervention therapy, how often to attend, home activities and make sure you are comfortable with you and your OT's thoughts and suggestions. 

What about Therapy Sessions?

Once you have attended your initial appointment and if the therapist’s specialisations/skill set matches to provide support, we will book you in for regular appointments at a frequency (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) based off the therapist’s recommendations and your own schedule. Sometimes further assessment may be required in following sessions depending on your child’s difficulties and the amount of areas to review.

In rare instances, ongoing intervention with an OT may not be suitable and the Occupational Therapist will support you in referral to a more suitable provider or different health professional if it is required.

What should I tell my child?

That they are meeting someone who is going to help, teach and have fun with them! OT is one of the most exciting and engaging therapies for children. Within modern society OT awareness among the community, particularly within schools, has significantly increased. It is a regular occurrence at All About Kids when children will walk past our OT room, look in and say “when do I get to go to this room!”. It is important to mention that OT is a safe space for your child and that they ‘aren’t in trouble’ but seeing someone who is going to help them learn, play and grow.

*Occupational therapists are registered with the Allied Health Professional Registration Association (AHPRA)