Sensory processing & regulation
Understanding your child’s sensory profile and building strategies that work at home and school.
Occupational therapy
Children’s occupational therapy in Melbourne’s northern suburbs
Play-based OT that helps children with the everyday things: moving and coordinating their bodies, using their hands, managing sensory overload and big feelings, and doing things for themselves.
Registered NDIS providerAHPRA-registered occupational therapistsDoreen & Craigieburn clinics
Occupational therapy (OT) at Wonderful Mind helps children build the everyday skills they need at home, kinder and school: motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, self-care and school readiness. Our AHPRA-registered occupational therapists use play-based, neuro-affirming therapy in Melbourne’s northern suburbs (Doreen and Craigieburn clinics), and complete NDIS assessments and reports. NDIS and private clients welcome.
Is OT right for my child?
Families often come to us when their child…
- Is very sensitive to noise, clothing, textures or messy play, or seeks constant movement
- Has frequent meltdowns, especially at transitions or in busy places
- Finds dressing, toileting, brushing teeth or eating difficult
- Avoids drawing, cutting or writing, or has an awkward pencil grip
- Seems clumsy, tires quickly or avoids playground equipment
- Is starting kinder or school and you are worried about readiness
What we help with
Occupational therapy services
Fine & gross motor skills
Hand strength, pencil grip, scissors, balance, coordination and confidence on playground equipment.
Emotional regulation
Body-based tools to notice, name and manage big feelings, linked with our psychology team.
Self-care & daily living
Dressing, toileting, eating, sleep routines and independence, at your child’s pace.
Feeding & fussy eating
Sensory-based feeding support, working with our nutritionist for ARFID and restricted eating.
School readiness
Emotional regulation, following instructions, fine motor skills (pencil grip, drawing and early writing) and the everyday school skills for a confident start at kinder or school.
Assessments & NDIS reports
OT assessments we provide
- Functional Capacity Assessment: everyday functioning across communication, learning, mobility, self-care, self-management and social interaction
- Sensory profile: how your child responds to sensory experiences, with strategies to manage them
- Activities of Daily Living assessment: dressing, bathing, eating and toileting
- Assistive technology assessment: equipment that can help your child do more independently
- Cognitive assessment: attention, memory, problem-solving and executive functioning in daily life
- Home environment assessment: safety and accessibility at home
Reports for the NDIS
Our reports explain your child’s strengths, needs and goals in the language the NDIS uses, so planners can see what support is needed and why.
Our approach
Play-based, family-centred and neuro-affirming
We see behaviour as communication, and regulation as the foundation for learning. Therapy follows your child’s interests and is never about forcing compliance.
You are part of every plan. We work with you, your child’s kinder or school and our psychologists, speech pathology team and nutritionist, so your child gets one joined-up plan.
- 01
First call
Our intake team learns about your concerns and goals, and checks your funding.
- 02
Assessment
Observation through play, parent questionnaires and standardised assessments where helpful.
- 03
Goals together
Clear goals linked to everyday life, written in plain language and in NDIS format if needed.
- 04
Therapy & review
Regular sessions in our therapy rooms, with strategies for home and school and regular progress reviews.
Our OT team
Meet our occupational therapists
Jacqui Ornellas
Senior Occupational Therapist & Supervisor
Accredited ICF Coach, Trainer
AHPRA registered
Kye Chee
Senior Occupational Therapist
BHSc (Occupational Therapy), BHSc (Exercise & Sport Science)
AHPRA registered
April Bozinis
Allied Health Assistant (Occupational Therapy)
BHSc, Master of Occupational Therapy (in progress)
Isabella Brice
Admin & Allied Health Assistant (Occupational Therapy)
Bachelor of Psychology (in progress), Gymnastics Victoria coach
Allied health assistants work under the supervision of our occupational therapists.
Fees
OT fees and funding
Occupational therapy is available to NDIS participants (self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed) and private clients. Sessions with an allied health assistant are $86.70. Please contact us for current occupational therapy session and report fees. See all fees.
Occupational therapy questions
What does a paediatric occupational therapist do?
A paediatric OT helps children take part in everyday life: playing, learning, getting dressed, eating, managing big feelings and making friends. We build skills through play and adapt the environment around the child so daily life feels more manageable.
Do I need a referral for OT?
No, you can book directly. A GP referral is only needed if you are claiming through a Medicare care plan.
Is occupational therapy covered by the NDIS?
Yes. OT is commonly funded under Capacity Building supports when it links to your child’s NDIS goals. We also complete OT assessments and reports for NDIS access and plan reviews.
What is a functional capacity assessment?
It looks at how your child manages everyday tasks such as communication, learning, mobility, self-care, self-management and social interaction. It is often used to show the NDIS what support is needed.
My child has meltdowns. Is it sensory?
Sometimes. An OT assessment, including a sensory profile, can help work out whether sensory, emotional, communication or other factors are involved. Our psychologists and play therapists can join in if needed.
Do you help with handwriting?
Yes. We work on the foundations, such as core strength, hand skills and visual-motor skills, as well as handwriting itself.
Do you see autistic children and children with ADHD?
Yes. Our approach is neuro-affirming: we support how your child experiences the world, rather than trying to change who they are.
What is the Mind and Body Program?
A program combining gymnastics-based movement and equine assisted therapy that targets gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, strength and body awareness. It is delivered by an Allied Health Assistant under the supervision of our occupational therapists. See Mind and Body Program.
OT near you
Occupational therapy across Melbourne’s north
Related services
Speech Pathology
Late talkers, speech clarity, language, literacy, stuttering and AAC.
Mind and Body Program
Gymnastics and equine assisted therapy program for gross motor skills, delivered under occupational therapy supervision.
Early Childhood Intervention
Team-based NDIS early intervention for children under 9.
Wonderful Mind Adult & Aged Care
Supporting an adult or older person?
Our adult & aged care service offers occupational therapy for adults and older people, in clinic, at home or by telehealth, with Support at Home, NDIS and Medicare options.
Not sure where to start?
Tell our intake team what you are noticing. We will match your child with the right clinician, or a small team if they need more than one kind of support.