Paediatric Occupational Therapy (or OT) helps children participate in the activities that occupy their day – we call these activities “occupations”.
This includes everything from sleeping, eating and using the toilet, to going to school and getting along with others. But, by far, the most important occupation a child engages in is play!
Children’s Occupational Therapists are unique in health professions as we are trained in physical and mental health.
We know that giving children opportunities to be successful develops their self-esteem and self-confidence which carries over to other aspects of their life.
We help them be successful by using play in our therapy sessions and assessments.
This means that we help your child reach their full potential while keeping them motivated to join in.
Our goal at Naturally Kids is to support children and families to build connections – with themselves, each other and the world.
We do this by supporting children to develop their strengths and interests, become more self-aware and spend more time doing the things they love.
By being neurodiversity-affirming and trauma informed, we ensure that the child feels safe in their interactions with our team.
We are play advocates and support all types of play.
We love taking children outside to explore nature (free play) and sports or other activities (structured play).
By incorporating connection and play in all our sessions, we help children feel successful, build self-confidence and thrive.
Get to know our team of Paediatric Occupational Therapists and Allied Health Professionals
Our team members enjoy working with children and adolescents, particularly those with neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders, developmental coordination disorders), challenging behaviours and/or other conditions that impact their ability to engage in their chosen activities.
Tea or coffee? Coffee, is that even a question?!
Sweet or savoury? Can I say both? My ideal platter would have cheese for the savoury as well as chocolates.
Beach or Bush? Ohh I love both but probably lean towards the Beach.
Dog or cat? Dogs.
Favourite movie? Love Actually
Favourite song? I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) by the Proclaimers. You cant not sing along to it.
Favourite activity in clinic? The swings!
Favourite game? Anything that involves multiple people or a team. We have some very competitive games of Monopoly Deal over the lunch table some days.
Favourite team? Cowboys! But controversially I support the Blues at State of Origin time.
Why paediatric occupational therapy? Basically, it’s because I am a big kid. I need lots of novelty in my day (thank you ADHD) and children are always fun and unique. I love supporting children to feel seen, heard and understood for exactly who they are not who we think they should be.
Describe your ideal day: A sleep in without being interrupted, reading in my PJs with a fresh coffee, maybe a day trip to Paluma or putting the boat in and heading to Maggie. To finish the day a dinner that someone else has cooked and then does the washing up.
Tea or coffee? Coffee (Iced Lattes!)
Sweet or savoury? Savoury
Beach or Bush? Beach
Dog or cat? Dog, My Golden Retriever Maxy
Favourite movie? Wild Child
Favourite song? Too many to name!
Favourite activity in clinic? Taco Game, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza Game
Favourite game? Taco Game
Favourite team?
Why paediatric occupational therapy? Because I love being able to be an additional safe adult for so many kiddos.
Describe your ideal day: A nice walk outside or the beach followed by some fizzy drinks with my friends.
Tea or coffee? Both please but if I had to pick it would be coffee
Sweet or savoury? Both please but extra chocolate
Beach or Bush? Bush
Dog or cat? I love my two dogs Harvey and Billy but I love cats too!
Favourite movie? Mary Poppins
Favourite song? Flame Trees by Cold Chisel
Favourite activity in clinic? Jumping on crash mats
Favourite game? Card games! Monopoly deal card or exploding kittens
Favourite team? GO SPORTS
Why paediatric occupational therapy? I love making a difference for little ones and their families. Plus I am a big kid and I love to play! Kids say and do the cutest things and they put a smile on my face every day!
Describe your ideal day: Somehow fitting in all of my interests – yoga, playing with my dogs, playing my guitar and ukelele, crocheting, riding my motorbike… and also some time for doing nothing.
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Sweet or savoury? Savoury
Beach or Bush? Beach
Dog or cat? Dog
Favourite movie? Fast and Furious 3
Favourite song? Burn, Burn, Burn by Zach Bryan
Favourite activity in clinic? Anything active
Favourite game? Uno Flip
Favourite team? Cowboys
Why paediatric occupational therapy? We get to make meaningful connections with our clients and get creative with therapy to assist in all areas of life!
Describe your ideal day: Coffee, Gym and spending time with my dog
Tea or coffee? Flat white please!
Sweet or savoury? Savoury and salty
Beach or Bush? Beach
Dog or cat? Dog
Favourite movie? Inglorious Bassterds
Favourite song? About You by The 1975
Favourite activity in clinic? Laying in the cloud sac
Favourite game? Playing with slime
Favourite team? Cowboys all the way!!!!!!!!
Why paediatric occupational therapy? FUN! FUN! FUN!
Describe your ideal day: Sleeping in, then going to get some coffee and brekky at The Strand. Spending the rest of the day catching up with family or friends and an afternoon nap.
Currently on maternity leave.
Tea or coffee? A tea kinda girl
Sweet or savoury? Sweet tooth, evident from the candy jar!
Beach or Bush? Beach days are an all-time favourite
Dog or cat? Honestly, both!
Favourite movie? Inside Out
Favourite song? Pink Skies by Zach Bryan – currently on repeat!
Favourite activity in clinic? Flopping onto the crash mats or hiding behind them.
Favourite game? Tiggy but in the dark!
Favourite team? Cowboys!
Why paediatric occupational therapy? I have always had a passion for supporting others and being able to provide them with early intervention is something I take great pride in.
Describe your ideal day: Waking up with no alarm, stroll along a beach, bit of baking/cooking and spending quality time with family and friends.
Tea or coffee? Both
Sweet or savoury? Savoury
Beach or Bush? Beach
Dog or cat? Dog
Favourite movie? The Man from Snowy River
Favourite song? Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
Favourite activity in clinic? Listening to music
Favourite game? Red Rover
Favourite team? Australia
Why paediatric occupational therapy? I love supporting the kids and their families
Describe your ideal day: A day in the sun with cocktails and seafood by the pool
Tea or coffee? Tea
Sweet or savoury? Sweet
Beach or Bush? Bush
Dog or cat? Dog
Favourite movie? The Fast and Furious series
Favourite song? Every Storm (Runs of out Rain) by Gary Allan
Favourite activity in clinic? The sensory gym
Favourite game? Uno
Favourite team? Cowboys
Why paediatric occupational therapy? Paediatric therapy is very rewarding, and no day is ever the same. I get to have a lot of fun while helping children achieve their goals.
Describe your ideal day: A productive morning followed by a relaxed afternoon.
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Sweet or savoury? Sweet
Beach or Bush? Both
Dog or cat? Cat (especially my cat Lofty)
Favourite movie? Minions
Favourite song?Anything from Taylor Swift
Favourite activity in clinic? Making Slime
Favourite game? Poo Bingo
Favourite team? Team Damon!
Why paediatric occupational therapy? To support the children and families to get the best start in life!
Describe your ideal day: Sleep in, shopping, eating sushi at the beach while watching the sunset.
Tea or coffee? Water
Sweet or savoury? Savoury
Beach or Bush? Bush all the time.
Dog or cat? Dog, currently have 2 and they are my world.
Favourite movie? Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Favourite song? Anything heavy and or metal
Favourite activity in clinic? Lego, Building and Jenga
Favourite game? Board games and computer games
Favourite team? Green Bay Packers
Why paediatric occupational therapy? Allows me the opportunity to assist with development and understanding of our bodies as young people.
Describe your ideal day: On the road or a forgotten track 4x4ing with my dog in the back and an esky in the front.
Tea or coffee? Tea with honey & sugar! Unless it is Annee’s Caphe
Sweet or savoury? Sweet unless it’s pasta
Beach or Bush? Both, only if you can swim at the places.
Dog or cat? DOG
Favourite movie? 10 Things I Hate About You.
Favourite song? Happy Birthday
Favourite activity in clinic? Making sure the swings and equipment still work fine.
Favourite game? Wordle
Favourite team? Cowboys
Why paediatric occupational therapy? Because I get to have fun all the time.
Describe your ideal day: Waffles for breakfast, exploring places with friends (e.g., beaches, waterholes), afternoon nap, going out for dinner & drinks.
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Sweet or savoury? Sweet
Beach or Bush? Bush
Dog or cat? Dog
Favourite movie? N/A
Favourite song? Revival, Zach Bryan
Favourite activity in clinic? Laying on crash mats
Favourite game? Monopoly
Favourite team? COWBOYS
Why paediatric occupational therapy? I enjoy being on my feet and moving around.
Describe your ideal day: Wake up, go to the gym then go for a swim somewhere and get lunch with friends, go home cook diner and watch Netflix until I fall asleep.
Tea or coffee? Both – but they must have sugar
Sweet or savoury? Both – I can’t take sides
Beach or Bush? Bush
Dog or cat? Dog
Favourite movie? My Girl
Favourite song? Roxette – Listen to Your Heart
Favourite activity in clinic? Supporting the team
Favourite game? AFL
Favourite team? Swans
Why paediatric occupational therapy? Love providing top end Customer Service, needed a steady income, so this is a great way to support my daughter & achieve my objectives
Describe your ideal day: I wake up 😊
