Sensory Processing
For children who find everyday sounds, textures or movement overwhelming, or who are always on the move.
Opening a lunchbox, sitting on the mat, holding a pencil, getting to the toilet in time. Our occupational therapists help Baulkham Hills kids get ready for the practical side of kindergarten, about 6 km down Windsor Road in Northmead.
Kindergarten asks a lot of small hands and short attention spans: unzipping a bag, managing the toilet alone, sitting through story time, holding a pencil well enough to start writing, and coping with a day full of transitions.
A school-readiness check looks at those everyday tasks rather than whether your child can write their name. If something needs work, you’ll get a practical plan for the months before school starts, with activities you can do at home.
Baulkham Hills is a short run down Windsor Road from our Northmead clinic, about 6 km away.
No referral or diagnosis is needed to book a school-readiness check or a general OT assessment.
Every OT session is held at our one clinic in Northmead, a short drive south of Baulkham Hills.
Our occupational therapists help children build the everyday skills they need at home, at kindy and at school.
For children who find everyday sounds, textures or movement overwhelming, or who are always on the move.
Pencil grip, handwriting, scissors, buttons and other hand skills.
Sitting, listening, drawing and the independence children need for kindy and big school.
Helping children understand big feelings and find their own ways back to calm.
Toileting, dressing and the daily routines that build independence.
Kindy-readiness speech checks, planned around the start of Term 1.
Not sure where to start? See all occupational therapy services or talk to our client care team.
A typical children’s OT program at The Bridge Effect includes:
Weekly or fortnightly sessions with a qualified occupational therapist. Frequency depends on your child’s needs and goals.
Specific, measurable goals based on your child’s assessment results and your family’s priorities.
We show you the strategies we use so practice fits into everyday routines at home, kindy and school.
We review progress regularly and adjust goals as your child develops.
Reviews from families who visit our Northmead clinic.
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. See all Medicare pathways.
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.
Can’t see your question? Call us on (02) 9037 1163.
Our Northmead clinic is about 6 km from Baulkham Hills, usually 10–15 minutes by car down Windsor Road. Free parking is available at the clinic.
Yes. Our occupational therapists see Baulkham Hills children at our Northmead clinic. School readiness is one of the most common reasons local families get in touch. Call us on (02) 9037 1163.
A school-readiness check can help answer that. It looks at self-care such as toileting and opening lunch containers, sitting and attending, fine motor skills for early writing, and how your child copes with change. See school readiness.
Not necessarily, but it’s worth a look. Sitting still can be hard for many reasons, including sensory needs, core strength or attention. An OT assessment tells you what’s behind it and what to work on before school starts.
No referral is needed. You can contact The Bridge Effect directly to book an OT assessment for your child. If you already have a referral or report from a paediatrician, GP or school, please bring it along, but it isn’t required.
Yes. The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families. If your child’s plan includes funding for occupational therapy (typically under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living), we can work within your plan. More about NDIS funding.
We serve many suburbs around Baulkham Hills. See all the areas we serve, or our speech therapy in Baulkham Hills page.
Early support can make a big difference, and we’re here to walk this journey with you.
Contact us directly, or speak with your GP, paediatrician or support coordinator about a referral. 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.
