Occupation refers to the everyday activities and roles that individuals engage in, which give their lives meaning and purpose. These activities can include self-care tasks (like eating and dressing), work, school, leisure, and social participation. Occupation encompasses both essential daily routines and voluntary, enjoyable pursuits, contributing to a person’s overall well-being and sense of identity.

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps individuals across the lifespan develop, improve, or regain the skills needed for daily activities. It focuses on enhancing a person’s ability to engage in and perform meaningful tasks. Occupational therapy looks at a person through a holistic lens, considering internal and external factors which may be impacting a persons participation and performance in daily activities.

Through personalised interventions, paediatric occupational therapists support children in developing motor skills, sensory processing, social interactions, routines and independence, enabling them to engage in life’s meaningful activities and roles.

Paediatric occupational therapists often use play as a key part of their therapy because it is a natural and effective way for children to learn, develop, and practice important skills (their primary occupation is play, after all!). Through play, children can work on many skills including motor skills, sensory processing, social interactions, problem-solving, and emotional regulation in a fun and engaging way. While it may look like 'just playing' and fun, it’s actually a carefully designed, purposeful and therapeutic method to help children achieve their goals and support their development in a meaningful way.

We are AuDHD led and have lived experience. We view neurotypes simply as differences between people’s brains, and we focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals to achieve self-understanding, acceptance, and well-being. Our services align with the social model of disability, prioritising the needs of neurodivergent people over societal expectations. We work to accommodate diverse communication styles and needs, offering a shame-free, demand-free service with flexible support. We are committed to ongoing learning and professional development, and listening to the voices of the neurodivergent community. We respect clients needs, ensuring everyone receives the support they deserve without judgement or pressure.

We generally work with children aged 3-16yo. We understand there is still a great need for community services outside of this age range - if your child is outside of this age range and you would still like to access our services, please contact us and we can discuss your individual needs.

Thrive OT’s special interests are:

• Executive Function

• Fine and Gross Motor

• Self Care

• Social

• Mental Health

• Educational Participation

• Sensory Processing

• Emotional Regulation

Thrive OT does not offer the following services:

• Home modifications

• Equipment prescription e.g., wheelchairs

• Behaviour Support Plans

• Therapy Assistants

No, your child does not need a formal diagnosis to access our services.

A referral is not required to access our services. However, if using Medicare funding through a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP) or a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder Plan (CNDD), a GP referral is necessary.

We welcome referrals and updates from your child’s treating doctors and healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated health care. If needed, we may request consent to contact your child’s paediatrician, GP, or specialists for additional information.

We are based in Metro Brisbane and we primarily service inner city Brisbane suburbs. We however understand that access to skilled paediatric occupational therapy services like ours can be limited. If you are located anywhere between Brisbane (QLD), the Sunshine Coast (QLD), Gold Coast (QLD), and Northern Rivers (NSW), we are happy to discuss service options with you. Provider travel will be quoted prior in all circumstances.

If you live outside of these areas and would still like to access our services, we offer Telehealth services nationwide across Australia.

• An initial parent/caregiver interview will be conducted for a comprehensive assessment of your child’s history, daily routines, main challenges or concerns, the child’s strengths and interests, your goals (as a family unit and for the child individually). We use strengths-based, family-centred and client-centred approaches, to ensure our assessments and interventions align with your family values and needs, as well as aligning with your child’s health and medical history, your child’s roles, routines, meaningful occupations and daily activities.
  

• A discussion of assessment, intervention and appointment options tailored to your child’s and family’s goals and needs. Simple concerns may be addressed within the session.

• Once goals have been discussed and set, an initial rapport building session(s) with the child is required before the commencement of intervention sessions.

Our individual sessions are generally 60 minute appointments (face-to-face contact). Please note travel time and report writing time is charged on top of this per each client appointment.

Session frequency will be tailored to your family’s and your child’s needs and goals. We generally offer ongoing weekly or fortnightly sessions, however this is subject to therapist availability, individual client needs, client availability and funding.

Our fees fall within the parameters of the NDIA hourly rate of $193.99 per hour, ensuring that there is no out-of-pocket expense for our NDIS clients. We have chosen to keep our private fees in line with the NDIA guidelines, however this is subject to change.

Please note travel is also charged as per the NDIA guidelines.

Please note everyone's concerns and goals vary, and so the complexity of care, frequency and interventions may differ.

Yes, we provide occupational therapy for NDIS self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Yes, we accept all private health insurance funds for occupational therapy services. If your policy includes occupational therapy coverage, you can claim back some or all of your costs, depending on your health fund and level of cover.

Yes, your child may be eligible for one of the following Medicare partially funded plans. A GP referral is required, and Medicare will provide a rebate for eligible clients - please note, a gap fee will apply. Your GP will need to send us the referral before your child’s initial session.

• Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP) - your child may receive up to 5 partially funded occupational therapy sessions per year.

• Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder Plan (CNDD) - your child may receive up to 20 partially funded occupational therapy sessions per year.