How Occupational Therapy May Help

Occupational therapy may assist with:

• daily living skills

• fine motor skills and hand function

• sensory processing and sensory regulation

• self-care tasks such as dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding

• school readiness and classroom participation

• play skills and everyday routines

• cognitive support and routine management

• equipment and assistive technology recommendations

• home safety and environmental modifications

• home modification assessment and recommendations

• independence at home, school, work, and in the community

• function-focused strategies linked to everyday goals

Support is always tailored to the person’s presentation, goals, environment, and broader medical or developmental context.

Who We Support

We provide occupational therapy support for children and adults with a wide range of needs, including those related to:

• developmental delays

• sensory processing differences

• disability and functional support needs

• neurological conditions

• rehabilitation after illness, injury, or surgery

• fine motor difficulties

• cognitive changes affecting everyday function

• daily living challenges

• home safety and access needs

• equipment and assistive technology needs

• reduced independence at home, school, work, or in the community

We support people across different life stages and aim to make therapy relevant to the person’s real-world routines and environments.

Occupational Therapy for Children

Paediatric occupational therapy may support children who are experiencing challenges with fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, play, routines, emotional regulation, school participation, or everyday function. Therapy may focus on helping children build practical skills, improve participation, and work toward goals that are meaningful for the child and family.

Sessions may include play-based therapy, sensory strategies, fine motor activities, self-care support, school-related recommendations, routine building, and practical strategies that support carryover into everyday life.

Occupational Therapy for Adults

Adult occupational therapy may assist with a broad range of concerns affecting independence, daily tasks, home safety, rehabilitation, function, and participation. This may include support after injury, surgery, illness, or hospitalisation, as well as assistance with equipment, home modifications, fatigue management, cognitive changes, or adapting everyday tasks.

Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include assessment, education, practical strategies, therapy, equipment recommendations, and environmental supports that make daily life easier and safer.

Occupational Therapy for Older Adults

Occupational therapy may help older adults maintain or improve safety, independence, and confidence with everyday activities. This may be relevant for people experiencing difficulty with dressing, showering, meal preparation, bathroom access, memory, routines, home safety, or mobility around the home.

Support may include home-based assessment, falls risk considerations, assistive equipment recommendations, home modification recommendations, daily living strategies, and practical supports aimed at helping people remain living at home as safely and independently as possible.

Areas Occupational Therapy May Address

Our occupational therapists may assist with a broad range of presentations, including concerns affecting:

• self-care and daily living

• play and developmental participation

• fine motor and hand function

• sensory regulation and routines

• school access and classroom participation

• home safety and independence

• bathroom access and daily task management

• equipment and assistive technology

• home modifications

• cognitive function in everyday life

• rehabilitation and return to daily activities

• participation across home, school, work, and community settings
  
  

What to Expect at an Occupational Therapy Appointment

Your occupational therapy appointment will usually begin with a discussion about your concerns, current function, history, routines, environment, and goals. Your occupational therapist may assess how you manage everyday activities, the challenges you are experiencing, the supports already in place, and what changes may help improve participation or independence.

Recommendations are based on the individual and may include therapy, education, practical strategies, task adaptation, equipment recommendations, environmental changes, home programs, or collaboration with family members, carers, teachers, or other members of the support team.

Our Approach

At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we aim to provide occupational therapy that is practical, supportive, and linked to real-life function. We understand that no two people experience the same challenges in exactly the same way, even when they have the same diagnosis or referral reason. Our focus is on helping each person work toward greater participation, independence, safety, and confidence in the parts of daily life that matter most to them.

How Occupational Therapy (OT) may help

Occupational therapy focuses on helping people participate more safely and effectively in the activities they need or want to do every day.

Depending on the individual, occupational therapy may assist with:

• self-care and daily living skills

• fine motor skills and hand function

• sensory processing and regulation support

• fatigue management and pacing

• school, home or community routines

• equipment and assistive technology recommendations

• home function, safety and access

• independence and participation in everyday life

Support is always tailored to the person’s goals, age, environment and day-to-day needs.

Clinic-based Occupational Therapy in Perth

Although this page is optimised for people searching for occupational therapy in Perth, our main OT clinic location is Malaga. Many clients from across Perth choose to attend our Malaga clinic for Occupational Therapy because it offers a dedicated allied health environment with access to a broader therapy team and purpose-designed therapy spaces.

Clinic-based occupational therapy may be a good option for clients who:

• prefer a structured therapy environment

• are able to travel to appointments

• benefit from regular review in clinic

• want access to a broader allied health service in one place
  
  

Our Occupational Therapy Services
At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we offer comprehensive OT services:

• Paediatric Occupational Therapy
  Our paediatric OT services focus on children with developmental delays, sensory issues, and disabilities. We provide early intervention, school readiness programs, and therapy in our fully equipped kids therapy gym.

• Adult & Older Adults Occupational Therapy
  We assist adults recovering from injuries, managing disabilities, or experiencing changes due to ageing or neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's Disease (PD), and Stroke.

• NDIS Support
  As an provider for NDIS participants, we help individuals with tailored occupational therapy programs to meet their specific goals under the NDIS framework. Whether it’s building independence or improving life skills, our OTs are experienced in working with NDIS clients.

Sensory Room & Kids Therapy Gym

Our state-of-the-art sensory room and kids therapy gym are designed to provide sensory integration therapy and gross motor development in a fun and safe environment. These spaces are equipped with a trampoline, climbing frames, swings, and other tools to help children and adults with sensory processing challenges or developmental delays.

Mobile Occupational Therapy across Perth

For some clients, mobile occupational therapy may also be available across parts of Perth and surrounding areas. Mobile OT can be particularly useful when support is best delivered in the person’s own environment, such as at home, school, supported accommodation or in the community.

Mobile OT may be especially helpful when:

• the person’s challenges are most noticeable at home

• home setup or safety is part of the issue

• a home-based functional assessment is needed

• travel is difficult

• carers or family members would benefit from support in the everyday environment

Service availability depends on therapist availability, travel area, and the type of support required.

FAQ

What does an Occupational Therapist do?

An occupational therapist helps people participate more safely and independently in everyday activities. This may include support with self-care, daily routines, fine motor skills, sensory regulation, equipment, home safety, school participation, work tasks, and day-to-day function.

What can Occupational Therapy help with?

Occupational therapy may assist with a wide range of developmental, disability-related, neurological, sensory, rehabilitation, cognitive, and daily living concerns. The suitability of occupational therapy depends on the individual presentation and goals.

Do I need a referral to see an Occupational Therapist?

Many people can book directly for occupational therapy. Some may also attend with a referral from a GP, paediatrician, specialist, hospital team, insurer, support coordinator, case manager, school, or another healthcare professional depending on their circumstances.

Can Occupational Therapy help with sensory processing?

Occupational therapy may assist some children and adults where sensory processing differences are affecting regulation, participation, routines, comfort, or everyday function.

Can Occupational Therapy help with daily living skills?

Yes. Occupational therapy may support everyday activities such as dressing, grooming, toileting, mealtime routines, home tasks, and other daily living skills depending on the person’s needs.

Can Occupational Therapy help with equipment and home modifications?

Yes. Occupational therapists may assess for assistive technology, equipment, and home modifications where clinically appropriate and linked to function, safety, and independence.

Is Occupational Therapy only for children?

No. Occupational therapy is relevant across the lifespan. It may support children, adults, and older adults depending on the person’s needs and goals.

Do you offer occupational therapy for older adults?

Yes. Occupational therapy for older adults may focus on home safety, equipment, daily living, routines, cognitive support, home modifications, and maintaining independence at home.

Do you provide Occupational Therapy for people across Perth?

Yes. We support clients from across Perth through clinic-based Occupational Therapy at our Malaga clinic, and in some cases through mobile OT services where suitable.

Where is your Occupational Therapy clinic located?

Our main OT clinic location is Malaga. This page is designed for people across Perth who are looking for occupational therapy and are willing to attend our clinic.

Do you offer other services as well?

Yes. In addition to occupational therapy, Palms also offers physiotherapy, exercise physiology and speech pathology.

What happens at the first Occupational Therapy appointment?

The first appointment usually includes discussion of your history, current concerns, goals, routines, and a functional assessment relevant to the reason for referral. Your occupational therapist will then talk through recommendations and possible next steps.

Can Occupational Therapy be provided at home?

Yes, in some cases occupational therapy may be available through mobile services, particularly where home-based assessment is important to understanding safety, access, and everyday function. Mobile occupational therapy may be available across parts of Perth depending on therapist availability, travel area and the type of service required.

Our Mobile Therapy Services

Funding options

Depending on the service and individual circumstances, occupational therapy may be accessed through:

private fee-paying services

private health insurance where applicable

Medicare for eligible clients with the appropriate referral

DVA for eligible clients

aged care pathways where appropriate

NDIS for self-managed and plan-managed participants

Funding pathways vary, and final funding decisions rest with the relevant funder.

External Resources for Occupational Therapy in Australia

Occupational Therapy Australia
https://otaus.com.au
The peak professional body representing OTs in Australia. Provides information on the profession and public resources.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
https://www.ndis.gov.au
Learn about NDIS funding for occupational therapy services.

Raising Children Network
https://raisingchildren.net.au
A resource for parents on childhood development and disability support, including OT.

Health Direct Australia
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au
Provides information on occupational therapy services and general healthcare in Australia.

Better Health Channel (Victoria)
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Offers information on various health topics, including occupational therapy.

Our Clinic Locations

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.