When everyday tasks feel harder than they should
Some children avoid noisy classrooms. Others melt down after school, struggle to sit at the dinner table, or seem constantly “on the go”.
Parents are often told their child will grow out of it. Yet many are left quietly wondering why everyday activities feel harder for their child than for others their age.
That uncertainty is something occupational therapist Alycia Keys hears often from families across Fremantle, Melville, Bicton, Palmyra and surrounding suburbs.
“Parents usually know something isn’t quite right long before they seek support,” Alycia says.
“They might notice their child becomes overwhelmed easily, struggles with transitions, avoids certain sensations, or finds emotional regulation difficult. Sometimes families just need reassurance that their concerns are valid and worth exploring.”
At Melville Occupational Therapy, Alycia works with children experiencing challenges related to sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor skills, attention, anxiety, executive functioning and everyday independence.
What occupational therapy can look like for children
For many families, occupational therapy is unfamiliar territory. Parents often associate OT with handwriting support, but Alycia says the role is much broader.
“Occupational therapy is really about helping children participate more comfortably and confidently in daily life,” she explains.
“That might include school participation, friendships, emotional regulation, self-care skills, play, motor coordination or coping with sensory environments.”
In practice, sessions may involve movement-based activities, sensory exploration, games, emotional regulation strategies, or building routines that support a child both at home and at school.
Importantly, Alycia says therapy should never focus on changing who a child is.
“We work from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective,” she says.
“The goal isn’t to make children appear more neurotypical. It’s about understanding how they experience the world and helping them feel safer, more capable and more supported within it.”
Why parents in Fremantle and Melville are seeking support earlier
Across Perth, many families are becoming more aware of the signs that a child may need additional support.
Teachers, school psychologists, GPs and paediatricians are increasingly encouraging parents to explore allied health support early, particularly when concerns involve emotional regulation, attention, coordination, sensory sensitivities or school participation.
Alycia says early support can reduce stress for both children and parents.
“Children often spend a huge amount of energy trying to cope in environments that don’t naturally suit them,” she says.
“When we better understand what’s driving a child’s behaviour or distress, we can put supports in place that make everyday life feel more manageable.”
She says this can be particularly important during school transitions or periods of heightened stress.
“Sometimes small environmental changes or practical strategies can make a significant difference to a child’s ability to participate and feel successful.”
Supporting children beyond the therapy room
One of the challenges many parents face is translating therapy recommendations into real life.
Families may receive reports filled with clinical language but still feel unsure how to support their child during morning routines, homework battles or emotional outbursts.
Alycia says collaboration is central to her work.
“Parents know their children best,” she says.
“My role is not just to work with the child during sessions, but also to help families understand what may be happening underneath behaviours and what practical supports may help.”
That may involve working alongside schools, helping parents understand sensory needs, or building strategies that fit naturally into family life.
“We want supports to feel realistic and sustainable,” Alycia explains. “Families are already carrying a lot.”
Understanding sensory processing and emotional regulation
Sensory processing difficulties are one of the more common reasons families seek occupational therapy support in Perth.
Children may appear highly sensitive to sound, clothing textures, food textures or busy environments. Others may constantly seek movement, crash into furniture, struggle to sit still or appear unaware of personal space.
These differences can sometimes be misunderstood as behavioural problems.
Alycia says understanding the “why” behind behaviour is essential.
“When children feel overwhelmed or dysregulated, their nervous system is often communicating that something feels unsafe, unpredictable or too intense,” she explains.
“Behaviour is communication.”
She says emotional regulation support is not about demanding compliance from children who are struggling.
“It’s about helping children develop awareness of their bodies, emotions and sensory needs so they can access regulation and participation more consistently.”
Navigating long waitlists in Perth
Like many allied health providers across Western Australia, occupational therapy services remain in high demand.
Families across Fremantle and Melville are often navigating paediatrician waitlists, school concerns and NDIS processes at the same time.
Alycia encourages parents not to wait until things reach crisis point before seeking support.
“If concerns are impacting your child’s daily life, relationships, learning or wellbeing, it’s worth having a conversation,” she says.
“Parents don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis before accessing occupational therapy.”
She also notes that children can access support for a wide range of needs, whether or not they have an identified diagnosis.
A local practice grounded in community connection
Located within reach of families across Fremantle, East Fremantle, Melville, Bicton, Palmyra and Cockburn, Melville Occupational Therapy has become a familiar support option for local families seeking practical, neuro-affirming care.
For Alycia, community connection matters.
“Families in this area are incredibly supportive and engaged,” she says.
“There’s a strong sense of community around helping children feel understood and included.”
That local understanding can be especially valuable for parents trying to navigate schools, referrals and support pathways within the Western Australian system.
Finding the right support for your child
Parents searching for an occupational therapist in Fremantle or Melville often spend hours trying to determine which service may be the right fit.
Alycia says the relationship between therapist, child and family is important.
“Children deserve to feel respected, safe and understood in therapy environments,” she says.
“And parents deserve clear communication and practical support — not judgment.”
Families wanting to learn more about Melville Occupational Therapy can explore their Perth Kids Hub profile for information about services, locations and availability.
You can also browse Perth Kids Hub’s occupational therapy directory to find local providers supporting children with sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor skills, ADHD, autism, learning differences and everyday participation challenges across Perth and Western Australia.
