As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. But it can be hard to know when a developmental concern is something to monitor, and when it might be worth seeking support from a professional. This guide covers the signs my child needs occupational therapy and when to seek an assessment.
Paediatric occupational therapy supports children to develop the skills they need for everyday activities — at home, at school, and in the community. OT can make a meaningful difference for children who are finding certain tasks more challenging than expected for their age.
Here are seven signs that your child may benefit from an assessment with a paediatric occupational therapist. For a fuller developmental guide by age group — from babies through to school-age children — read our paediatric occupational therapy developmental milestones guide.
Signs My Child Needs Occupational Therapy: 7 Key Indicators
1. They’re Struggling With Handwriting or Pencil Tasks
If your child avoids drawing, struggles to hold a pencil, or their handwriting is significantly harder to read than their classmates’, this may be worth exploring. Handwriting difficulties are one of the most common reasons families seek paediatric OT support.
An occupational therapist will look at fine motor skills, hand strength, pencil grip, and how your child is seated — and work with your child and their teacher to develop practical strategies.
This is especially common in children approaching Prep or in the early primary years, when handwriting demands increase significantly.
2. Everyday Self-Care Tasks Are Harder Than Expected
Most children develop self-care skills — dressing, doing up buttons and zips, using cutlery, brushing teeth — gradually over their early years. If your child is noticeably behind their peers in these areas, or becomes very distressed when attempting them, it may indicate underlying challenges with fine motor skills, coordination, or sensory processing.
OT can help children build these skills in a practical, step-by-step way that builds confidence alongside capability.
3. They Seem Overwhelmed by Sensory Experiences
Some children are highly sensitive to sensory input — loud noises, certain food textures, clothing tags, or busy environments can cause significant distress. Others may seek out sensory input constantly — crashing into things, touching everything, or struggling to sit still.
Both patterns can be signs of sensory processing differences, which an occupational therapist is trained to assess and support. Rather than simply telling a child to “calm down” or “stop,” OT helps children develop strategies to manage sensory input in a way that works for them and their family.
4. They’re Finding It Hard to Focus or Sit Still in Class
Difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and staying on task at school can have many causes — but occupational therapy can play an important role for children whose challenges relate to sensory regulation, body awareness, or the physical demands of the classroom environment.
An OT can work with teachers to make simple adjustments to the classroom setup and provide strategies to support your child’s focus and participation in learning.
It’s worth noting that OT does not replace assessment or support for ADHD — but it can work alongside other professionals to address the functional impacts at school and home.
5. Their Gross Motor Skills or Coordination Seem Behind
If your child seems clumsier than their peers, struggles with catching and kicking a ball, finds playground equipment challenging, or frequently trips and bumps into things, this may indicate challenges with gross motor development, coordination, or body awareness.
These skills underpin many aspects of childhood participation — from sport and play to simply moving confidently through the school day. Occupational therapy can assess and support these areas through engaging, movement-based activities.
6. They’re Struggling With School Readiness
Starting school is a significant transition, and children need a wide range of skills to participate successfully — not just academic readiness, but the ability to manage their belongings, follow routines, interact with peers, regulate emotions, and engage in classroom tasks.
If your child is approaching Prep and you have concerns about their readiness, an OT school readiness assessment can give you a clear picture of their strengths and any areas that may benefit from support before the transition.
This is one of the most valuable early interventions an OT can provide — a small amount of targeted support before school can make a significant difference to a child’s confidence and participation in their first year.
7. You Have a Gut Feeling That Something Isn’t Quite Right
Parents often notice something before it shows up clearly in a formal assessment. If you have a persistent sense that your child is finding something harder than it should be — even if you can’t quite put your finger on what — it is absolutely worth seeking a professional opinion.
You do not need a diagnosis or a GP referral to contact an occupational therapist. An initial conversation with our team costs nothing and can help you decide whether an assessment makes sense for your child. If you are looking for signs my child needs occupational therapy, our friendly team is here to help.
Noticed Signs My Child Needs Occupational Therapy? Here’s What Happens Next
If you decide to go ahead with an assessment, here’s what to expect at Ability Rehab:
Your child’s occupational therapist will spend time getting to know your child through observation and play-based activities. We’ll ask you about your child’s development, daily routines, and the specific challenges you’ve noticed. From there, we’ll share our findings with you and discuss whether ongoing therapy support would be beneficial — and what that might look like.
The process is designed to be relaxed and child-friendly. Many children enjoy their first session without realising they’re being assessed at all.
Does the NDIS Cover Paediatric Occupational Therapy?
Yes — if your child has an NDIS plan, occupational therapy is typically funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living support category. Ability Rehab is a registered NDIS provider and works with NDIS-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants.
If your child does not yet have an NDIS plan but you believe they may be eligible, our team can provide information to help you understand the process. You can also visit our NDIS for Families page for a detailed guide.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If any of the signs above resonate with you, we’d encourage you to get in touch. Our paediatric occupational therapy team supports children and families across Melbourne’s north-east, including Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Kew, Doncaster, Bundoora, and surrounding suburbs. If you’ve noticed signs my child needs occupational therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out.
📞 Call us: 0478 491 188
🌐 Make a referral or book an assessment: abilityrehab.com.au/make-a-referral
You know your child best. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth asking.
