SEED Paediatric Occupational Therapy Services
Children's Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention in Rural, Regional & Central NSW
SEED Paediatric Services provides neuro affirming Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention that is evidence based and effective, supporting everyone - the child, their family, educators and community to reach their potential.
Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention
What We Offer
Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention for neurodivergent children aged 0 to 12 years in Orange and Boorowa NSW Australia.
who we work with
We celebrate the miracle of each and every child and their potential to thrive.
We work with children aged 0-12 years, of all abilities, supporting most areas of concern.
We specialise in working with children who have neurodevelopment differences such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay, Sensory Processing, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
We have a special interest in working with children who have experienced early childhood trauma.
Our Assessment and Intervention Approach
We are child-led, relationship focused and play based. We are family centred. We know that parents know their child best. We acknowledge and celebrate diversity including neurodiversity, cultural and gender diversity. We draw on a range of theories and intervention approaches to ensure our intervention is tailored to the needs of each unique child. In the boxes, there is a full stop at the end of some of the paragraphs, but not in others.
Ayre's Sensory Integration (ASI)
Emphasises that effective sensory processing and integration are fundamental to a child’s development, serving as the foundation for learning.
Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship based Model (DIR)
Acknowledges the importance of relationships and emotional connections in strengthening developmental capacities.
Neuro Developmental Technique (NDT)
A therapeutic approach to improving physical function and performance.
Attachment Theory
Demonstrates the importance of early relationships in shaping emotional, social and cognitive development, providing a path to building skills.
Polyvagal Theory
Recognises the critical role our nervous system plays on our regulation, performance and development, emphasising the importance of placing attunement and co-regulation at the heart of our intervention.
Play theories
Play is both a therapeutic tool and a developmental goal, used to support children’s engagement, regulation, and skill-building across sensory, motor, emotional, and social domain.
SpIRiT and STEPPSI clinical reasoning tools
Developed by Tracy Stackhouse and Developmental FX.
Areas of Focus: OT Assessment and Intervention
The aim of Occupational Therapy is to support each child to reach their potential. We provide assessment and intervention to support your child to reach the goals that are most meaningful to them.
Independence in self care
Dressing, toileting, sleeping & Eating
social and emotional skills
Including emotional regulation
play skills
Sensory motor play, collaborative play, construction play, imaginary play
sensory integration
Visual, auditory, touch, taste, smell, vestibular, propioception interoception processing
gross motor skills
Visual, auditory, touch, taste, smell, vestibular, propioception interoception processing
fine motor skills
PHYSICAL SKILLS: Manipulate buttons, zippers, shoe laces, handwriting, scissors use, erasers & glue sticks
academic/school skills
Handwriting, visual perception, problem solving, following instructions, ogranisation & sequencing
regulation
Identifying triggers, strategies to support regulation, tools to support transitions to and from school
Independence in self care
Dressing, toileting, sleeping & eating
social and emotional skills
Including emotional regulation
play skills
Sensory motor play, collaborative play, construction play, imaginary play
sensory integration
Visual, auditory, touch, taste, smell, vestibular, propioception interoception processing
gross motor skills
Postural strength, stability, mobility and coordination to explore the world around them freely
fine motor skills
Manipulate buttons, zippers, shoe laces, handwriting, scissor use, erasers & glue sticks
academic/school skills
Handwriting, visual perception, problem solving, following instructions, ogranisation & sequencing
regulation
Identifying triggers, strategies to support regulation, tools to support transitions to and from school
Independence in self care
Dressing, toileting, sleeping & eating
social and emotional skills
Including emotional regulation
play skills
Sensory motor play, collaborative play, construction play, imaginary play
sensory integration
Visual, auditory, touch, taste, smell, vestibular, propioception interoception processing
gross motor skills
Postural strength, stability, mobility and coordination to explore the world around them freely
fine motor skills
Manipulate buttons, zippers, shoe laces, handwriting, scissor use, erasers & glue sticks
academic/school skills
Handwriting, visual perception, problem solving, following instructions, ogranisation & sequencing
regulation
Identifying triggers, strategies to support regulation, tools to support transitions to and from school
OT Assessment Process
Our OT assessment process in Regional NSW comes with a clear understanding of the role of occupational therapist, the intervention approaches we utilise, and ways we can collaboratively work together to achieve your goals. The flow chart below provides a glimpse of the steps involved in the journey with us.
1
intake
Parent/carer provides OT with a brief summary of their child including their strengths & interests and concerns. Join Waitlist
2
provide information
Parent / carer completes an electronic questionnaires and submits prior to initial meeting.
3
initial meeting
OT and Parent / Carer discuss in detail the child’s developmental history, interests, strengths, primary concerns, function at home & school/pre school.
4
clinical assessment
OT meets your child and undertakes a range of observations and standardised & non standarised assessments aiming to identify capacity and root cause/s.
5
meeting with careErs
OT and Parent / Carer discuss the assessment results, clinical formulation and recommendations. Determine path forward including detailed goals if they will commence OT intervention.
6
intervention
Child and family engage in OT intervention, which may include observations at school / pre school, education with carers and educators, case meeting and/or home program.
7
meeting with carer
OT and Parent / Carer engage in a detailed discussion about child’s progress and recommendations.
8
summary report
OT provides a brief summary report including clinical findings, goals, intervention approaches, progress towards goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when I book an appointment with an Occupational Therapist?
At SEED Paediatric Services, the process of Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention in Rural NSW involves a number of steps that allow us to get to know each other. We will develop a thorough understanding of you and your child’s needs and what you want.
What are the payment options for Occupational Therapy services?
Parent/carer provides OT with a brief summary of their child including their strengths & interests and concerns. Join Waitlist
private payment
Parent/carer provides OT with a brief summary of their child including their strengths & interests and concerns. Join Waitlist
ndis
Michelle and Sarah provide occupational therapy services with participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) whose plans are plan managed and/or self managed;
and have funding for Capacity Building or Improved Living Services.
To learn more contact NDIS:
medicare
Children may be eligible for Medicare programs that offer rebates for a select number of occupational therapy sessions. Consult your GP to discuss your eligibility for Medicare programs:
- Chronic Disease / Complex Management Program
- Focused Psychological Strategies by Allied Health Providers or Better Access to Mental Health Services
- Helping children with Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Program
To learn more contact Services Australia – Medicare Care Programs
private health insurance
We are registered with the major private health insurance agencies. Review your Private Health Insurance policy to identify if Occupational Therapy is included in your scheme and the rebate you are eligible to receive.
Do I need a referral from a GP or Paediatrician to go to OT?
Whilst it is not necessary for you to have a referral from a GP or Paediatrician to work with an OT at SEED, we do recommend that you discuss it with them.
To help us gather a complete picture of your child, we may request you to provide further information including results of any assessments previously conducted such as hearing test, eye test, genetic test results, list of medication or medical procedures, health care plans such as diabetes or epilepsy; or reports written by other clinicians.
Do Parents and Carers need to come to OT sessions?
We are dedicated to providing high-quality occupational therapy services that makes a difference in the lives of the children and families we work with. Your commitment to your journey with OT is just as important as ours. When we all engage in OT assessment and intervention sessions consistently and wholeheartedly we can make meaningful progress towards your goals.
We generally offer weekly sessions over a set period of time, for example, 10 sessions over 10 weeks. Appointments will generally be scheduled at the same time each week, on the same day, for example 10am Wednesday. Once your appointment is confirmed, we strive to honour this commitment and ask that you do the same.
We we start working together we hope you will:
- Share detailed information with us in our meetings together, complete questionnaires, provide feedback after intervention sessions. The more detail you provide, the more precise we can be.
- Communicate openly and effectively with us, particularly if any changes to either your circumstances or the goals you want to pursue.
- Dedicate time to engage in OT outside of intervention sessions so you have the space to things like read material we share with you, reflect, perform activities with your child that we suggest.
- Our process includes regular meetings between Parents / Carers and your OT. These meetings provide Parents and Carers with an opportunity to shape the process and the outcomes. We sincerely hope you choose to partner with us with as earnestly as you can.
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
We understand that life is unpredictable and that unexpected circumstances arise.
Whenever possible, we will make every effort to reschedule your appointment to another time that week. However, if another appointment time is not available, our 48-hour cancellation policy will apply, as outlined in our Service Agreement.
What if my child is sick?
The health and wellbeing of your child is important to us, as is controlling infection in our community.
If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms below, engaging in the demands of an OT session is counter-indicated:
- Fever (above 37.5°C). Your child will manage the demands of an OT session when they are fever-free without the use of medication.
- COVID-19. Please wait at least five days after a positive test before engaging in OT.
- Cold or flu. Your child will manage an OT session when they are without the use of medication.
- Vomiting. Engage in OT at least 24 hours after the last symptom.
- Diarrhoea. Engage in OT at least 24 hours after the last symptom.
If you have any questions, please email Sarah or Michelle.
We appreciate your commitment and look forward to working together to support your child’s growth and development.