Occupational Therapy
Practical support for everyday life and activities
Our occupational therapists (OTs) support children, young people and adults to build practical skills for daily life, helping to improve learning, independence and participation.
Headstart is a registered NDIS Provider and uses a neuro-affirming approach to support routines, regulation, motor skills and everyday function in ways that are meaningful to each person. We also conduct functional capacity assessments and OT assessments from our Gawler and Wayville clinics.
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Meet our OTs
Our occupational therapists provide support for a variety of different challenges and needs.
Working as part of Headstart’s multidisciplinary team, they collaborate with our psychologists and speech pathologists so your care is coordinated and connected across services.
Meet our occupational therapists
When occupational therapy may be helpful
We provide occupational therapy for children (including toddlers), teenagers, and adults across greater Adelaide.
You might benefit from OT if you or your child would like support with:
- Building fine motor skills for tasks such as handwriting, typing, tying shoelaces, drawing or using scissors
- Developing gross motor coordination, balance and body awareness
- Navigating sensory processing and responses, including with sounds, textures, visual input and touch
- Strengthening skills for self-care tasks such as sleep, dressing, grooming and mealtimes
- Improving executive functions such as organisation, initiation, planning and task completion
- Building emotional regulation strategies to reduce meltdowns or overwhelm
- Increasing confidence and participation at school, work and in social settings
- Developing independent living skills for greater day-to-day autonomy.
You don't need a diagnosis to access OT; we regularly welcome private clients seeking support for everyday activities.
That said, many of our clients do have a diagnosis, or are beginning to explore one. We work with clients who have:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- ADHD and attention difficulties
- Sensory processing differences
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) / dyspraxia
- Anxiety, Depression, and emotional regulation difficulties
- Intellectual disability
- Down syndrome and other genetic conditions
- Learning difficulties
- Global developmental delay.
Headstart is a Registered NDIS provider. If you have an NDIS plan, OT services may be covered under Improved Daily Living or Capacity Building supports.
OT assessments and NDIS
Headstart’s OTs conduct assessments that can help identify areas of difficulty, guide therapy goals, and support access to NDIS funding.
OT and sensory assessments
- Explores areas such as sensory processing, motor skills, self-care, emotional regulation and everyday functioning.
- Findings can help clarify strengths, support needs and therapy goals, while guiding recommendations for home, school/work and community environments.
Functional capacity assessments
- Provides a detailed picture of how disability affects day-to-day life, including personal care, mobility, communication, social participation, learning and independence.
- Findings may support NDIS applications, plan reviews and recommendations tailored to the person’s needs and goals.
Functional capacity assessments
What to expect at an OT session
Occupational therapy is shaped by your goals and needs, so every client's experience looks a little different. Here's what you can generally expect.
Initial assessment
Your first appointment is a chance for your OT to get to know you, understand what you're finding difficult, and identify what you'd like to achieve. These conversations with you (or your child) may be accompanied by structured assessments of sensory processing, motor skills, executive functioning or daily living skills.
Goal setting
From there, you and your OT will agree on goals together, such as managing a morning routine independently, improving sensory regulation, or increasing participation at school or work.
Ongoing therapy
Ongoing sessions are collaborative, engaging, and adjusted regularly as you make progress. For children, therapy is often play-based to keep it meaningful and motivating. For adult clients, sessions may involve practical skill-building, strategy development, or working through real-life situations.
Sessions are available in-clinic at our Wayville and Gawler locations; calm, welcoming spaces set up with sensory needs in mind. We also offer telehealth OT sessions for those who prefer the convenience of online care.
Ready to take the next step?
If you're ready to book, or just want to find out whether Headstart OT is the right fit for you or your child, we'd love to hear from you. Our friendly team is happy to answer your questions and help you get started.
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Frequently asked questions
Occupational therapy helps people participate in the everyday activities that matter to them; at home, at school, at work, and in the community.
An occupational therapist (OT) assesses what's getting in the way of those activities and works with the client to build skills, develop strategies, and adapt their environment. This might include improving fine motor skills, managing sensory sensitivities, developing daily routines, or building independence in self-care.
Headstart provides occupational therapy for children, teenagers, and adults. You don't need a diagnosis or a referral to make an appointment. While many of our clients are autistic or have ADHD, we welcome anyone seeking support with everyday activities.
Yes. We provide paediatric OT for children of all ages, including toddlers and young children, where early intervention is appropriate. Our OTs use play-based approaches to make sessions engaging and meaningful.
Our OTs support clients with a wide range of conditions and presentations, including autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), anxiety, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, learning difficulties, and global developmental delay. If you're unsure whether OT is right for your situation, contact us and we'll help you work it out.
Your first appointment involves getting to know you and understanding what you're finding difficult. Your OT may conduct structured assessments of sensory processing, motor skills, or daily living abilities. You'll talk through goals and begin to map out a therapy plan together. Parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to be involved in sessions with younger clients.
You do not need a referral to access OT as a private client; simply contact us directly.
A referral may be necessary or helpful if you are eligible for Medicare rebates through a Chronic Condition Management Plan, are applying for NDIS funding, or would benefit from more coordinated care between your treating providers. Please contact us if you’re unsure and we can advise.
If you have been referred by a GP, paediatrician, or other health professional, please bring any relevant reports or referral letters to your first appointment; these are helpful but not required.
Yes. Headstart is a registered NDIS provider. Occupational therapy services may be funded through Improved Daily Living or Capacity Building supports in your NDIS Plan. Our OTs can also complete functional capacity assessments to support new NDIS applications or Plan reviews. We also see private-paying clients.
A functional capacity assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by an occupational therapist that examines how a person's disability affects their ability to carry out everyday activities. Functional capacity assessments are commonly used to support NDIS funding applications and plan reviews, providing the evidence needed to access appropriate disability supports.
A sensory assessment is an evaluation of how a person processes sensory information, including touch, sound, movement, and visual input. It helps identify whether sensory sensitivities or sensory-seeking behaviours are affecting daily functioning. Sensory assessments inform OT therapy goals and can be part of a broader OT assessment.
Yes. OT sessions at Headstart are available via telehealth as well as in-clinic at our Wayville and Gawler locations. Telehealth is a flexible and convenient option for many of our clients.
At times, yes. Demand for OT services is high, so we encourage you to get in touch as early as possible. Our team will take some details upfront to understand your needs and help match you with the right occupational therapist, particularly where early intervention may be beneficial.
Contact us by phone or via our online enquiry form. Our team will ask some initial questions to understand your needs and match you with the right OT.
You can reach our Wayville clinic on (08) 8373 4531 and our Gawler clinic on (08) 8522 2621, or get in touch online.