Signs your child may benefit from occupational therapy or speech therapy
Many families begin searching for support when they notice something in their child’s development that feels a little harder than it should be. If you are noticing any of the signs below, a paediatric occupational therapist or speech pathologist may be able to help.
My child is hard to understand when they talk
If your child’s speech is difficult for others to understand, a speech pathologist can assess speech sound development and help children learn clearer ways to produce sounds and words.
Parents may notice:
- strangers struggle to understand their child
- certain sounds are missing or replaced with other sounds
- their child becomes frustrated when trying to communicate
Speech therapy can help build confidence and make communication easier for children at home, school and in social situations.
My child was late to start talking
Children develop language at different rates, but some children need extra support learning to understand and use words.
A speech pathologist can support children who:
- are not using many words by age two
- struggle to combine words into short sentences
- find it difficult to follow instructions
- seem to understand less language than other children their age
Early support can make a meaningful difference in communication development.
My child struggles with handwriting
Handwriting can be physically demanding for some children. Paediatric occupational therapists often support children who:
- avoid writing tasks
- have messy or difficult-to-read handwriting
- complain their hand hurts when writing
- write very slowly or struggle to finish written work
Occupational therapy can help children build the fine motor, visual motor and postural skills needed for writing.
My child is clumsy or struggles with coordination
If your child frequently trips, struggles with sports, or finds tasks like using scissors difficult, an occupational therapist can help assess motor coordination and planning.
Parents might notice their child:
- bumps into things or falls often
- struggles with ball skills or playground equipment
- avoids activities that require coordination
- finds tasks like buttons, zips or cutlery challenging
Occupational therapy can support children to build coordination, strength and confidence in movement.
My child is very sensitive to noise, clothing or textures
Some children experience the world very intensely through their senses. Occupational therapists can support children with sensory processing differences.
Parents may notice their child:
- avoids certain clothing textures
- covers their ears with loud sounds
- struggles with busy environments like classrooms
- has strong reactions to smells, food textures or lights
Occupational therapists can help children develop strategies to manage sensory input and feel more comfortable in everyday environments.
My child struggles to follow instructions
Children who find it difficult to understand language or process information may benefit from support from a speech pathologist.
Parents might notice:
- their child needs instructions repeated often
- they struggle to follow multi-step instructions
- they misunderstand questions
- they find classroom learning challenging
Speech therapy can support children’s understanding of language and help them participate more confidently in school and social settings.
My child has big emotions and struggles to regulate
Emotional regulation is another area where occupational therapists often support children.
Children may benefit from support if they:
- have frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts
- struggle to calm their body after becoming upset
- have difficulty coping with transitions or changes
- find busy school environments overwhelming
Occupational therapy can help children develop regulation strategies that support participation at home and school.
Find occupational therapy and speech therapy services in Perth
If you recognise some of these signs in your child, Perth Kids Hub can help you find paediatric occupational therapists and speech pathologists to help your child build skills and confidence.
Browse the directory above to explore occupational therapy and speech therapy services for children across Perth, including clinics offering assessments, therapy programs, and support for communication, learning, coordination and everyday skills.
FAQs
Occupational therapy and speech therapy for kids in Perth
Many children benefit from support from both occupational therapists and speech pathologists because development is interconnected.
Speech pathologists support communication skills such as speech clarity, understanding language, expressing ideas, social communication, and feeding or swallowing.
Occupational therapists support everyday activities such as handwriting, coordination, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and independence with daily tasks like dressing or eating.
If you are unsure which service your child needs, you can explore both occupational therapy and speech therapy providers in Perth on this page. Many clinics offer multidisciplinary teams that work together to support children’s development.
Many children benefit from support from both occupational therapists and speech pathologists because development is interconnected.
Speech pathologists support communication skills such as speech clarity, understanding language, expressing ideas, social communication, and feeding or swallowing.
Occupational therapists support everyday activities such as handwriting, coordination, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and independence with daily tasks like dressing or eating.
If you are unsure which service your child needs, you can explore both occupational therapy and speech therapy providers in Perth on this page. Many clinics offer multidisciplinary teams that work together to support children’s development.
Speech pathologists (also called speech therapists) help children develop communication, language, and feeding skills.
Speech therapy may help children who:
- Are late to start talking
- Have difficulty pronouncing words clearly
- Struggle to understand instructions
- Have trouble expressing their ideas
- Find social communication challenging
- Have stuttering or fluency difficulties
- Experience feeding or swallowing challenges
Speech therapy can support children from infancy through to adolescence.
Yes. Many children benefit from support from both occupational therapists and speech pathologists.
For example, a child with ADHD, autism, developmental delay, or learning difficulties may receive speech therapy to support communication and language development, while occupational therapy may focus on coordination, sensory processing, handwriting, or emotional regulation.
Therapists often collaborate with each other and with teachers to help children participate more comfortably in school and everyday life.
In most cases, you do not need a referral to see a speech pathologist or occupational therapist privately in Perth.
However, a referral from a GP, paediatrician, or specialist may be required if you are accessing services through:
- Medicare programs
- NDIS funding
- Private health insurance rebates
- Hospital or community health services
Many families choose to contact therapy providers directly to enquire about assessments or therapy availability.
Occupational therapy for children in Perth
Children may see an occupational therapist for support with:
- Fine motor skills and handwriting
- Coordination and motor planning
- Sensory processing differences
- Emotional regulation
- Attention and executive functioning
- Daily living skills such as dressing or eating
- School readiness and classroom participation
- Play skills and social participation
Some common signs families seek occupational therapy support include:
- Messy or slow handwriting
- Difficulty using scissors, cutlery or buttons
- Poor coordination or frequent tripping
- Avoiding certain textures, clothing or sounds
- Struggling to sit still or focus in class
- Difficulty with emotional regulation
- Challenges with organisation or completing tasks
- Fatigue during writing or school work