At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we provide occupational therapy for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across a wide range of developmental, disability-related, neurological, rehabilitation, sensory, cognitive, and everyday functional needs. 

Our occupational therapists work with people who may need support with daily activities, independence, routines, participation, equipment, home access, sensory regulation, or function at home, school, work, and in the community.

Our approach is individualised, practical, and goal-focused. We look at how a person is managing the activities that matter in everyday life and tailor support to their needs, goals, environment, and stage of life. 

Depending on the person and the reason for referral, occupational therapy may focus on self-care, play, school participation, daily routines, fine motor skills, sensory processing, assistive technology, home modifications, cognitive support, or strategies to improve safety and independence.

We offer occupational therapy in clinic, through mobile services, and via telehealth where appropriate.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is an allied health profession focused on helping people participate in the everyday activities that are important to them. These activities may include personal care, play, learning, household tasks, mobility around the home, community access, work tasks, routines, and social participation.

Occupational therapists assess how a person functions in their environment and provide practical strategies, therapy, recommendations, and supports to help improve participation, independence, safety, and confidence in everyday life.

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.

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.

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.

Book Occupational Therapy

If you are looking for occupational therapy support for yourself, your child, or a family member, contact Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health to discuss the most appropriate service option for your needs.

Occupational therapy appointments may be available in clinic, via mobile services, or through telehealth where appropriate.