Is it worth getting occupational therapy for my child?

Occupational therapy addresses the practical skills your child uses every day: getting dressed, eating, writing, playing, and managing school demands. It's worth considering when you notice persistent struggles that aren't resolving on their own—not occasional clumsiness, but patterns that affect participation or confidence.

Key signs therapy may help: - Your child avoids activities peers enjoy (sports, craft, social play) - School reports concerns about fine motor skills, handwriting, or classroom behaviour - Self-care routines (toileting, dressing, eating) are significantly delayed for their age - Sensory sensitivities disrupt family life (clothing tags, food textures, loud environments) - Coordination difficulties impact safety or independence

Cost-benefit reality: Private therapy in Australia ranges from $80–$150 per session; most children benefit from fortnightly or weekly appointments over 8–12 weeks initially. If your child qualifies for NDIS support, occupational therapy is a funded category—the 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangements set the standard rate at approximately $104–$130 per hour depending on your state and therapist qualifications. Medicare rebates (with a GP referral under the Enhanced Primary Care plan) cover up to 10 sessions annually at around $104.65 per session.

Start by discussing concerns with your GP or paediatrician, who can refer you to a registered occupational therapist (check AHPRA registration). If cost is a barrier, explore Medicare eligibility or NDIS assessment. Many therapists also offer strategies you can use at home, multiplying the benefit beyond session time.

It's not worth pursuing if your child's difficulties are mild, isolated to one context, or improving with time and support. But if daily life, school, or family wellbeing is genuinely strained, occupational therapy typically delivers practical, measurable changes within weeks.