If your child is experiencing back-to-school nerves, you’re not alone. The start of a new school year can bring excitement, worry, and lots of big feelings, especially with new teachers, classrooms, peers and routines. Preparing ahead can help children feel safer, more confident, and ready to learn in their own way. There are a few […]
READ MOREHow to Help your Child Thrive in Term Four
Written by Lisa Hughes, Founder of OTHC It’s Term Four — we’ve made it! The Christmas decorations are already appearing in stores, holiday plans are being made, and for many children (and parents), the finish line is in sight. Having guided my own daughter through 13 years of schooling and working with my own clients, […]
READ MORESupporting Teenagers Tackle Assessments with Confidence
Many teenagers juggle multiple responsibilities, including schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social connections and sometimes part-time jobs. Staying organised and managing assessments can feel overwhelming, leading to stress and difficulties meeting deadlines. Occupational therapy can provide support in developing practical organisation strategies for teenagers to feel more in control and confident in their academic and personal lives. […]
READ MORESupporting Children Experiencing School Refusal: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Understanding School Refusal School refusal can be more than just a child’s hesitation to attend school. It may be a means of expressing underlying needs that are impacting on school engagement. This may mean they are requiring more support to process sensory environments, regulate emotions or navigate social situations. Understanding and implementing appropriate supports can […]
READ MOREDyslexia vs. Dysgraphia: Understanding the Key Differences and How to Support Your Child
Dysgraphia and Dyslexia are both learning disabilities that can impact a child’s ability to engage in academic tasks and are primarily diagnosed by a Clinical or Educational Psychologist after adequate assessment. While both affect learning, they do so in different ways, and understanding these differences is key in supporting your child’s needs. What is Dyslexia? […]
READ MORESchool-Based Occupational Therapy at OT Helping Children
At OTHC, we offer therapy sessions in a variety of settings, including our clinic, schools, and occasionally at home. We work with several schools across Sydney’s Northern Beaches and North Shore. In school, we assist children from preschool age right up to teenagers preparing for their HSC. Understanding OT at school vs OT at […]
READ MOREMaximising School-Based Occupational Therapy for Your Child
Occupational Therapists can work in many different settings to support your child’s development. There are three main settings: the clinic, school, at home and in the community. Each of these environments have different benefits, and also unique barriers or considerations. We’re going to unpack what school-based occupational therapy looks like and what you can expect […]
READ MOREBenefits of Sensory Regulation Tools Within a School Environment
What are sensory regulation tools Sensory regulation strategies are useful tools to help individuals regulate their emotions, calm down, or to increase their alertness when they need to. Sensory inputs heavily impact the central nervous system, some can be calming and some can be alerting therefore we can use different sensory inputs to aid our […]
READ MORETips for a Smooth Transition to High School
You have gone to great lengths to find the right high school for your child, now how can the transition go as smoothly as possible? There are many new expectations placed on children such as; navigating new environments, meeting new people, managing a diary (that usually alternates on a fortnightly basis), and an increase in […]
READ MORESupporting Your Child’s Transitioning Back to School
Congratulations to everyone for making it through online learning for the last three months! It has not been an easy time for many, and we applaud all families for making the most out of the opportunities to spend time together and embracing a new challenge. As the restrictions ease, it is time for a welcome […]
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