Sensory Processing
For children who are overwhelmed by everyday sounds, textures or movement, or who constantly seek intense sensory input.
Our occupational therapists help children take part in everyday life: play, self-care, learning, friendships and getting ready for school. Whether your child has a developmental delay, disability, is neurodivergent or just needs some extra support, we can help.
Our occupational therapists assess and support the full range of children’s sensory, motor, self-care and regulation needs.
For children who are overwhelmed by everyday sounds, textures or movement, or who constantly seek intense sensory input.
For children whose pencil grip, handwriting or classroom fine motor tasks are behind their peers.
For children approaching kindergarten who need support with the physical, sensory and self-care skills school asks for.
For children with big meltdowns, difficult transitions, or who find it hard to calm down and recover.
For children whose toilet training, dressing or daily self-care routines have stalled or need extra support.
Tell us what you’re noticing at home, kindy or school. We’ll help you book the right first appointment.
Paediatric occupational therapy is goal-focused support. We teach strategies and adaptations, adjust environments, and guide the people in your child’s life so new skills carry over to home, kindy and school.
Your child benefits from a holistic approach that considers the abilities underneath each task: motor skills, thinking, sensory, personal and emotional factors.
No matter where your child is at, our occupational therapists have experience supporting children with a wide range of abilities. Explore support at each stage: Early Childhood (0–6), School Aged (7–12) and Teenagers (13–16).
Our assessment reports give a clear picture of your child’s development, with a focus on motor skills and daily functioning. We combine standardised tools, many widely used in research, with observation and checklists to see the whole child.
Looks at daily activities, mobility, social and cognitive skills, and responsibility.
Measures communication, daily living skills and socialisation.
Assesses manual dexterity, ball skills, and balance and locomotion. It also gathers views from parents, teachers and the young person on the emotional and motivational impact of motor challenges.
Standardised tools to understand a child’s sensory processing patterns in everyday life, and how sensory processing may be helping or getting in the way of participation.
Assesses how well a child coordinates visual perception and hand movements, such as copying shapes and patterns. Helps identify difficulties that may affect handwriting, drawing and classroom tasks.
Identifies the specific areas where a child finds handwriting hard, and helps the OT decide whether and where to intervene.
Assesses attention, emotional regulation, memory, organisation and impulse control, and how these affect daily life at home, school and socially.
A comprehensive overview of a child’s ability to take part in daily activities at home, school and in the community. It brings together information from all allied health professionals involved, to inform goal setting, service recommendations and NDIS planning.
A child-friendly tool that helps children reflect on how well they do everyday activities and how important those activities are to them. Involving children in goal setting builds motivation and ownership in therapy.
Standardised scores for a child’s ability to perform daily activities, highlighting strengths and needs to inform service planning, educational supports and living arrangements.
Most families use NDIS, Medicare, private health insurance, or a mix, to help fund OT.
The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families. OT is typically funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living.
Learn moreRebates may be available through the Item 135 pathway, a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan or Better Access for OT.
Learn moreMany extras policies include an occupational therapy benefit. We provide receipts in the format your fund needs.
Learn moreFamilies without funding are welcome as private clients. Our current fee schedule is available on request.
Learn moreChildren under 9 without an NDIS plan may be eligible for early intervention support through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach, without needing a formal diagnosis. Where emotional regulation is part of your child’s goals, a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan may give rebates for up to 10 individual sessions a year with a Medicare-registered OT. We have an occupational therapist registered with Medicare for Better Access, so you can use it here. See all Medicare pathways.
Great occupational therapy starts with well-supported OTs. Here’s how we make sure every session with your child is thoughtful, current and focused.
Our occupational therapists take part in regular training, so your child’s occupational therapy reflects current, evidence-based approaches.
Our OTs work with ongoing clinical supervision, so there’s always an experienced colleague to plan with.
If your child also sees one of our speech pathologists, both clinicians share insights and plan together, so everyday skills and communication goals support each other.
We cap the number of children each clinician sees in a day, so every session gets their full attention and energy.
Therapy rooms designed for children, with the space and equipment for occupational therapy, and our speech team in the same clinic.
Our occupational therapists are AHPRA-registered and work side by side with our speech pathologists, so your child’s goals are joined up across both services.
Answers to common questions about children’s occupational therapy at The Bridge Effect. Can’t see yours? Call us on (02) 9037 1163.
Parents know their children best. Working with you during sessions keeps goals practical and achievable. Professionals may come and go, but families are the constant support in a child’s life.
Most of a child’s learning happens between sessions, so we give you the skills and strategies to keep progress going at home.
At the initial consultation we gather information, observe your child and, where helpful, use standardised assessments to understand their strengths and needs. Together we then set an individual therapy plan.
Activities are centred on your child’s interests. Sessions may take place in our therapy rooms or outdoor play space, and we discuss progress and give parent guidance every time.
No. You can book directly with us. Some Medicare rebates do need a GP or specialist referral in place before your first eligible session.
The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families. Rebates may also be available through Medicare and private health insurance, and families are welcome to self-fund. See Funding Options.
Yes. Our School Holiday Social Groups are run by an occupational therapist and a speech pathologist. We match peers by age and abilities so each group fits your child’s goals.
Yes. Many children benefit from both. Our OTs and speech pathologists work under one roof, so they can coordinate goals and share progress.
All sessions are held at our Northmead clinic, close to Parramatta, Baulkham Hills and Westmead. Find occupational therapy near your suburb.
Call us on (02) 9037 1163 or send an enquiry. We’ll listen to your concerns and help you book an initial consultation.
All sessions take place at our purpose-built clinic at 7/185 Briens Road, Northmead. Families travel to us from across Parramatta, the Hills District and Western Sydney. Choose your suburb for local travel tips and what to expect.
Many children benefit from more than one kind of support. Because everything happens under one roof, our clinicians plan together and share progress.
Support for late talkers, speech sounds, language, social communication and AAC.
Small groups led by an OT and a speech pathologist, where children practise play, regulation and social skills.
Practical guides from our OTs on fine motor skills, sensory needs, toileting and school readiness.
Early support can make a big difference, and we’re here to walk this journey with you.
Send an enquiry below or call us. You can also speak with your GP, paediatrician or support coordinator, but a referral is not required.
Our client care team matches you with the right clinician and books an initial consultation.
We get to know your child, assess their strengths and needs, and set goals together with you.
Tell us a little about your child and what you’re noticing, and our client care team will be in touch to talk through next steps, availability and funding. Have a question first? Read our FAQs.
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