Welcome
Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy for Children
Kia ora, namaste, huanyíng, hello
We offer services for children aged 0 to 16 years who have a range of physical, neurological, cognitive, social, sensory, emotional and developmental needs. We provide a number of different services tailored to your child's needs as well as providing coaching for families and caregivers.
Our therapists at Paediatric Occupational Therapy are experienced, empathetic, practical and empowering. We partner with paediatricians, speech language therapists, and other specialists to provide a collaborative service for children and their families.
Our vision is to
provide quality, best practice therapy services for families and children,
and to maximise potential and build fulfilling lives, as a team.
Our mission is to, in partnership with families,
provide high quality, best practice therapy services
that maximize each individual child’s potential and participation in life activities.
Visit us
Help children with a range of conditions
Read all about it
Children aged 0 to 16 years with:
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Developmental Coordination Disorders
Delays in Development
Difficulties with Information Processing
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Neurological Conditions (Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury)
Other Specific Syndromes
Prematurity
Specific Learning Disabilities
Sensory Processing Difficulties
Social & Emotional Difficulties
Use the Occupational Performance Model
Read all about it
Our practice is based on the Australian and Canadian Occupational Performance Model. We use occupation based and task analysis assessment, for example, the COPM and PRPP.
Our assessments are based on the family and child's goals. We assist with differential diagnosis, and work closely with paediatricians, physiotherapists, psychologists, and speech and language therapists.
Perform assessments
Read all about it
Interruptions to development from birth, including sensory, motor and cognitive function
Organisational and functional skills
Play skills
Sensory processing
Motor skills
Information processing
Visual perceptual skills
Daily living and self care skills
Learning and school participation
Assessments are carried out in a number of different settings, eg home, school, preschool or clinic based.
We draw on a number of evidence-based theories and practices to develop and frame our interventions, including:
-
Neurodevelopment (Bobath)
Information processing (Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform model—PRPP)
Sensory processing and integration
Occupational performance (Occupational Performance Coaching)
Attachment and relationships (newborn behaviour observations, Touchpoints)
Respiration (Mary Massery)
Musculoskeletal, Posture and Movement
Multidisciplinary assessments
Read all about it
Occupational Therapist, Paediatrician, Speech and Language Therapist, Physiotherapist. Multidisciplinary assessments are recommended for:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Congenital conditions
- Neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy)
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD)/dyspraxia
Physiotherapy assessments
Read all about it
Physiotherapist assessments are integral to our practice. Paediatric physiotherapists manage a range of conditions including:
- Torticollis
- Balance and coordination
- Neurophysiological
- Plagiocephaly
- Musculoskeletal
- Pain management
- Hypermobility
- Toe walking
- Respiratory conditions
- Developmental delay
Occupational therapy assessments
Read all about it
Assessments are based on the Australian and Canadian Occupational Performance Model looking at a child holistically and the child's ability to do everyday tasks at school, home and play. They may include the following assessments:
- Neuro development
- Play skills
- Sensory processing
- Information processing
- Visual processing
- Self-care and independence skills
- Emotional regulation and social skills
- School participation: learning, handwriting, friendships
- Routines and daily living tasks, organisational skills
Therapy interventions
Read all about it
Coaching and establishing goals:
We listen and support the goals you want your child to achieve
We listen to your child's hopes and dreams
We give parents the skills and knowledge to "do therapy" everyday
We enable you to overcome the everyday barriers for your child
Task Analysis & Strategies:
Our assessments and task analysis enable us to build bridges, remove barriers and
provide strategies for you and your child to reach their goals
When working with babies and children we use fun, engaging activities to help them succeed
in meeting the daily occupations of childhood: self care, school and play
Following assessment, strategies are put in place to enable children to master tasks that are difficult for them.
Strategies are specific to your child's behaviours which are identified through PRPP assessment
Instructional methods are used to address behaviours; incorporating cues, prompts, strategies and preferences
Family, fun, friends, fitness, future:
- Riding a bike or scooter
- Using the playground
- Meal times: eating and drinking
- Walking and crawling
- Playing with friends, toys and games
- School: writing a story and packing your bag
- Exams: special conditions
- Relating to others
- Dressing, toileting and washing self
- Interests and hobbies
- Managing self, including emotions and regulation
Specific programmes
Read all about it
We use evidence based theory and practice, including Neurodevelopment, Information processing, Occupational Performance, Sensory processing and Sensory Integration.
We develop individualised, specific, practical and achievable programmes. Programmes may include visual and behavioural strategies, handwriting skills, access to assistive technologies, independence in self-care, social skills or friendship groups, and school readiness.
Orthotic clinics & adaptive equipment
Read all about it
We work closely with a highly experienced orthotist—SSD Ltd to provide othotics assessments and equipment.
The orthotist and a physiotherapist or occupational therapist perform neurophysiological and musculoskeletal assessments, prescription and fitting of neurophysiological devices and orthoses, to help:
- Postural control
- Proprioceptive feedback loop
- Alignment and correction
- Pain management
- Muscle strengthening
Equipment may be used to enable your child to participate in everyday tasks, for example: adapted cutlery, seating, curriculum adaptation, pencil grips, specific toys to facilitate play etc.
Community
Read all about it
We liase with other professions, teachers and carers to ensure your child's strengths
and needs are understood by all.
We link parents and families with community organisations.
For example, appropriate leisure and extra curricular activities.
Colleagues
Moira Nelson—Speech Language Therapist
Totally Psyched
Shamus Fairhall, Orthotist
Mosi Labs | SSD Limited
The Kids Plus Foundation
The Hearing House
Carolyn Simmons, Occupational Therapist
The Parenting Place
Clare Stanley
Fiona Kentworthy
Fi Graham, Occupational Therapist
Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC)
Auckland Medical Specialists
![Sensory Project, ASI WISE, Ayres’ Sensory Integration WISE [Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England]](https://paediatricot.nz/build/img/org-asiwise.jpg)
