June 27, 2025
Struggling with meltdowns, messy handwriting, or daily routines? These might be signs your child could benefit from occupational therapy. Learn how OT can support your child’s development and confidence through simple, everyday improvements.
It’s easy to wonder if your child is just taking their time, or if something more is going on. Maybe they avoid buttons and shoelaces, or get overwhelmed in noisy places. Maybe handwriting feels like a battle, or mornings are a meltdown waiting to happen.
Occupational therapy helps kids build the skills they need for everyday life, and that means less stress for them and for you.
In this article, we’ll walk through seven everyday struggles many children face and how an occupational therapist can help. If any of these feel familiar, it might be time to take a closer look.
Occupational therapy (OT) helps children become more independent and confident in their everyday lives. It supports their ability to play, learn, and interact with the world around them. At Nexia Health Care, our occupational therapists work closely with children and families to build essential skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Paediatric OT focuses on a wide range of developmental areas including sensory processing, motor skills, behaviour, and self-care routines. If your child seems to be struggling more than their peers in day-to-day tasks, an OT might be able to help.
Struggles to hold a pencil properly
Handwriting is messy or painful
Avoids drawing or writing tasks
Poor fine motor skills can make handwriting frustrating and even physically tiring. Occupational therapists work on building hand strength, coordination and correct pencil grip through tailored activities.
Needs help getting dressed past an age you’d expect
Becomes frustrated with routines like brushing teeth
These tasks rely on a mix of motor skills, planning, and sensory tolerance. OTs can help children build independence with step-by-step strategies and adaptive techniques.
This could be a sign of sensory processing challenges. OT can support sensory integration, helping your child better understand and manage sensory input in daily life.
OTs use games and play-based therapy to improve core strength, motor planning and coordination skills that support both play and school readiness.
Gets easily distracted
Has trouble completing multi-step tasks
Appears disorganised or overwhelmed
These can be signs of executive functioning challenges. OT helps children break down tasks, build routines, and stay regulated – especially helpful for kids with ADHD or learning difficulties.
OT supports the development of age-appropriate social and play skills by building confidence, communication and cooperation through guided interaction.
OTs help children build emotional regulation skills through body awareness, sensory strategies and consistent routines. They often work alongside psychologists or behaviour therapists for holistic support.
If you’re seeing more than a few of these signs in your child, a paediatric occupational therapy assessment can help uncover what’s going on and what supports would help.
At Nexia Health Care, our therapists take a gentle, play-based approach to assessments and therapy. We’ll work closely with you to understand your child’s needs and create a personalised plan that fits into everyday life.
Our OT sessions are built around your child’s goals, whether it’s using scissors confidently, managing big feelings, or improving attention at school.
We also understand how overwhelming it can feel as a parent. That’s why we take a collaborative approach with you, educators, and other providers like speech pathologists or psychologists when needed.
Occupational therapy helps children build skills needed for everyday life, like dressing, writing, playing and managing emotions. It supports development through play and practical activities.
If your child struggles with daily tasks that seem easy for other kids their age, like using cutlery, calming down, or joining in at school, it might be time to speak with an OT.
Yes, and many adults are doing this after years of confusion or misdiagnosis.
Not always. You can book directly with Nexia Health Care. A referral from your GP may help you access rebates or funding options.
Yes. OT is commonly used to support children with ADHD or Autism. It can help with routines, sensory needs, emotional regulation and daily independence.
An OT will observe your child doing everyday activities and use games or play to assess motor skills, sensory responses and more. Parents are always involved in the discussion.
Some children show progress after a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support. The timeline depends on the child’s needs, goals and how regularly therapy is followed at home.
Yes. Parents are encouraged to be part of the process so they can support progress at home too.
You may be eligible for rebates through a GP Management Plan or cover through NDIS. Our team can help you understand your options.
OT helps with daily living skills like coordination, sensory needs and behaviour. Physio works on physical movement and strength. Speech therapy focuses on communication and feeding. Many children benefit from more than one.
