Frequently Asked Questions
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people of all ages better perform tasks that occupy their time.
For children, this means playing and learning, as well as eating, getting dressed, grooming and so on. An OT provides activities that build on a child's strengths and interests to build developmental skills such as…
- Production of Written Work
For example, handwriting and colouring.
- Sensory Integration
How a child uses information received through their senses.
- Gross Motor Skills
Such as throwing and catching a ball, climbing stairs and playground equipment, jumping and hopping, and so on.
- Fine Motor Skills
Strength, coordination, and dexterity of the hands and fingers required to do tasks such as drawing, using scissors and doing up buttons.
- Self Care Skills
Help children learn to eat with utensils, drink from a cup, get dressed and undressed, take a shower or bath, use the toilet, and handle grooming and hygiene tasks.
- Organisation
Keeping themselves and their belongings organised at home and at school.
- Visual Perceptual Skills
Perceive differences and relationships between objects in the environment.
- Attention and Arousal Levels
An OT will help you discover what motivates your child, makes their body ready to learn (that is, what helps them keep still, calm, and alert), and to pay attention and stay focused.
Referral Process
Click here to make a referral
Referrals can be made by parents, teachers (with parent permission) and medical and health professionals. If you are accessing the Allied Health Initiative through Medicare, you will need a referral from your GP. The following is how the referral process works:
- Call Sunrise Health on 02 6584 6177 to book an appointment or email us.
- Book an intake appointment, this appointment is with parents/carers only to determine the need for assessment and intervention.
- If required, the child will proceed through initial assessment. It is your choice if you would like a report written following this assessment.
- Intervention sessions and school sessions will be put in place, if required.
- Your OT will liaise with your child's school and health professional team.
- Your child will be reassessed at regular intervals to determine achievement of intervention goals (ongoing).
How can my child benefit from Occupational Therapy?
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An Occupational Therapist provides carefully designed challenges that build on your child's unique strengths and interests to enhance developmental skills. Programming is developmentally appropriate, activity and play-based and designed to met the goals established for your child.
How can I learn more about my child's needs?
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A referral can be made by your child's GP, teacher, health professional, parent or carer. To make an intake appointment, simply call 02 6584 6177, fax a referral form to 02 6583 7546 or email us. All enquiries are treated with confidentiality.
Can I receive a health fund rebate?
If your child has been referred by a GP as part of an Allied Health Initiative (child must have a chronic care condition), you are eligible for reimbursement of part of the consultation fee. Your GP must have completed the necessary documentation prior to the first appointment and you bring this with you. Payment of the whole consultation fee required at time of service. You can claim the rebate at the time of the appointment, you only pay the gap!
Sunrise Health is approved to provide services under the FaHSCIA- Helping Children with Autism Initiative for eligible families. For further information please conatact your local Early Intervention Centre or FaHCSIA directly.
Many private health funds will provide rebates for Occupational Therapy services. Contact your health fund to find out if your child is eligible. HICAPS facilities are available at the Sunrise rooms for immediate refund of health benefits for participating health funds and if your eligible through your fund. |
