FAQs
If your child struggles with handwriting, coordination, sensory sensitivities, or everyday tasks like getting dressed or staying regulated at school, a paediatric occupational therapist may be able to help.
Many people think paediatric occupational therapists only help children with handwriting. While handwriting can be one part of occupational therapy, OTs actually support children with many of the everyday activities they want and need to do throughout the day. These activities are called “occupations”, which is where occupational therapy gets its name.
For children, occupations include things they want to do, like playing with friends, climbing a tree, riding a bike, or eating their lunch. They also include things they need to do, such as sleeping, getting dressed, drinking from a cup, wiping their bottom, or writing their name at school.
Paediatric occupational therapists help children build the physical, sensory, emotional, and cognitive skills needed to participate in daily life. Some occupational therapists also have particular expertise in areas such as sensory processing, emotional regulation, mental health, continence, motor coordination, and school participation.
On Perth Kids Hub, families can explore paediatric occupational therapy services across Perth and Western Australia, helping you find therapists who support children with coordination, sensory differences, handwriting challenges, emotional regulation, and everyday independence.
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
Paediatric occupational therapists may complete assessments to understand a child’s strengths and challenges. These can include assessments of:
- Fine motor and handwriting skills
- Visual motor integration
- Sensory processing
- Motor coordination
- Daily living skills
- School participation
Assessment results help guide therapy goals and recommendations for home and school.
Many children accessing occupational therapy are neurodivergent. OTs often support children with:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- Sensory processing differences
- Hypermobility or low muscle tone
- Learning differences affecting handwriting and organisation
Occupational therapy focuses on helping children participate in the activities that matter most to them, whether that is school, friendships, play, or independence at home.