Occupational Therapy

The University of Canberra Occupational Therapy Clinic supports children and adolescents (aged 3-18) and their families to develop skills for participation in everyday activities.

We aim to help children and young people develop confidence and build their skills so that they are able to achieve their potential. We don’t focus on the limitations but on the possibilities and the strengths that each child possesses.

Services are provided by students under supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist. We have a collaborative approach where students work with young people and their families to set goals and work on solutions together. Caregivers share their experience in supporting their children and Occupational Therapy students help to develop strategies to further support skill development in the home and school environment.

Occupational Therapists provide assessment and support to develop:

• independence in self care such as dressing, using cutlery
• participation in play, social and recreational activities
• handwriting and alternatives to handwriting
• other skills for school and preschool
• strategies to stay calm, focused and organized
• skills to manage sensory processing and learning difficulties in everyday life.

All children and adolescents need to have an initial assessment before participating in any individual or group programs. If a previous Occupational Therapy assessment has been done (within the last 12 months) then it will only be necessary to have an initial screening appointment to identify current needs and set goals for the program.

Individual programs are recommended for children who struggle to work in a group setting or have specific needs that are not covered in group programs.

Please note: most individual programs can usually only be run during school hours or in school holidays as after-school times are reserved for group programs.

Group programs

Groups usually run for 6 weeks and parent workshops are also available. Participants are required to attend all sessions.

Current groups

• Ready for Writing
  Foundation handwiting group focusing on letter formation, pencil control skills and underlying gross and fine motor skills (Kindergarten – 7yrs)
• On the Write Track
  Intermediate. Developing writing skills further once most letter formation established (6 – 10 yrs)
• On the Write Track
  Advanced - Writing and Organisational skills for upper primary years. Children are more involved in goal setting and developing strategies that work for them. Aims are developing confidence in writing, structuring writing tasks, increased legibility and investigating alternatives to writing if necessary (7-12yrs).
• “I am Sensational”
  Sensory Strategies to support children with self-regulation and awareness of their emotional state. We alternate between groups for younger primary aged children (5-8 years) and upper primary aged children (8-12 years).

Groups planned for later in 2021

• Social skills group – preschool and school aged
• Fussy eaters group