Paediatric Occupational Therapy in Darwin & Palmerston

At Healing Pathways NT (HPNT), we provide personalised paediatric occupational therapy for children and adolescents across Darwin, Palmerston and surrounding communities.

With two clinic locations in Larrakeyah and Zuccoli, alongside home, school and community-based services, we make occupational therapy accessible to families across Greater Darwin.

Our occupational therapists work with children experiencing sensory processing differences, emotional regulation difficulties, developmental delays, fine motor challenges and difficulties participating in everyday activities.

Through evidence-based assessments, play-based therapy and practical strategies, we support children to develop skills for home, childcare, school and community life.

We work collaboratively with children, parents, carers and educators to develop meaningful goals that reflect each child's strengths, needs and daily routines.

Make a Paediatric OT Referral

How Can Paediatric Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?

Children develop at different rates and experience different challenges as they learn, play and become more independent.

Occupational therapy focuses on the activities children need and want to do each day, including playing, learning, dressing, eating, managing routines and participating with family and friends.

Our paediatric occupational therapists assess the skills and environmental factors affecting participation and recommend strategies to support meaningful everyday activities.

Sensory Processing and Sensory Regulation

Does your child find particular sounds, clothing textures, crowded environments or daily transitions difficult?

Sensory processing differences can influence participation in play, personal care, learning and everyday routines.

Our occupational therapists assess how sensory experiences affect your child's daily activities and identify practical strategies that support participation.

Therapy may include:

• Understanding individual sensory preferences and needs
• Developing sensory regulation strategies
• Adapting home and classroom environments
• Supporting participation in dressing, grooming and mealtime routines
• Helping families and educators respond to sensory-related difficulties

Emotional Regulation and Self-Regulation

Learning to recognise emotions, respond to frustration and manage transitions is an important part of childhood development.

Our occupational therapists support children who experience difficulties with emotional regulation, transitions, frustration tolerance and participation in daily routines.

Interventions may include:

• Identifying situations that affect emotional regulation
• Developing co-regulation strategies with caregivers
• Supporting predictable routines and transitions
• Teaching age-appropriate emotional awareness and coping skills
• Adapting tasks and environments to reduce participation barriers

Our approach respects each child's individual communication, sensory and emotional needs.

Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting

Fine motor skills are important for drawing, handwriting, using scissors, manipulating toys and completing self-care tasks.

Our occupational therapists assess fine motor coordination, hand function and visual-motor skills to understand difficulties affecting everyday activities.

Therapy may address:

• Pencil control and functional handwriting
• Drawing, colouring and pre-writing skills
• Scissor skills and classroom tool use
• Hand strength, dexterity and coordination
• Bilateral coordination and visual-motor integration
• Participation in age-appropriate fine motor activities

We use engaging activities and functional practice tailored to each child's developmental needs.

School Readiness and Classroom Participation

Starting childcare, preschool or school introduces new routines, learning activities and social expectations.

Occupational therapy supports children experiencing difficulties participating in these environments.

Our services may address:

• School readiness and classroom routines
• Attention and engagement in learning activities
• Fine motor and pre-writing skills
• Organising and completing classroom tasks
• Managing transitions between activities
• Sensory and environmental barriers
• Participation in play and learning with peers

With appropriate consent and school approval, our occupational therapists can collaborate with educators to develop practical classroom strategies.

Self-Care and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Daily living skills are essential to developing independence.

Some children require additional assistance to learn or complete activities such as dressing, toileting, grooming, eating and managing daily routines.

Our occupational therapists assess the functional skills involved in these activities and develop individualised strategies to support participation.

Areas of support include:

• Dressing, buttons, zips and shoelaces
• Toilet routines and toileting independence
• Toothbrushing, bathing and grooming
• Using cutlery and participating in mealtime routines
• Morning and bedtime routines
• Organising personal belongings
• Developing independence in age-appropriate self-care tasks

We involve parents and carers in identifying strategies that can be practised in everyday environments.

Play Skills, Motor Planning and Social Participation

Play is an important occupation of childhood.

Through play, children explore their environments, develop movement and problem-solving skills, express preferences and build relationships.

Our occupational therapists support:

• Functional and imaginative play
• Fine and gross motor coordination
• Motor planning and sequencing
• Participation in playground and recreational activities
• Turn-taking and cooperative activities
• Confidence participating with peers
• Engagement in meaningful interests and hobbies

Therapy is adapted to each child's interests, strengths and individual goals.

Early Childhood Intervention Occupational Therapy

Early childhood intervention supports young children experiencing developmental delays, disability or difficulties participating in everyday activities.

HPNT provides family-centred occupational therapy focused on early learning, play, self-care, motor development, regulation and participation in familiar environments.

Our therapists work alongside parents and carers to develop practical strategies that can be incorporated into daily routines.

The NDIS early childhood approach supports children younger than nine with developmental concerns or disability through appropriate early childhood pathways.

Learn more about HPNT's Early Intervention Services.

Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism, ADHD and Developmental Delay

HPNT supports children with a range of developmental and disability-related functional needs, including children with:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Developmental delay
• Sensory processing differences
• Fine and gross motor coordination difficulties
• Intellectual disability
• Neurological or physical disability

Occupational therapy focuses on how a child's individual abilities, needs and environment affect participation in everyday activities.

Assessment and intervention are based on functional needs and personal goals, rather than diagnosis alone.

Families can contact HPNT to discuss occupational therapy without first obtaining a formal diagnosis.

What Happens During a Paediatric OT Assessment?

Step 1 — Referral and Initial Discussion

Parents, carers, support coordinators, GPs, paediatricians and educators can initiate an occupational therapy referral.

We gather relevant information about your child's strengths, daily activities, developmental history, current difficulties and family priorities.

Step 2 — Occupational Therapy Assessment

Our occupational therapists use clinical observation, caregiver information, functional task assessment and appropriate standardised assessments to understand your child's abilities and support needs.

Assessment considers:

• Developmental skills relative to age expectations
• Participation in everyday activities
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Sensory processing and regulation
• Self-care and daily living skills
• School and community participation
• Environmental barriers and existing supports

Step 3 — Individualised Therapy Planning

Assessment findings inform meaningful functional goals and recommendations.

Depending on the assessment purpose, documentation identifies your child's strengths, observed difficulties, developmental comparison, functional impact, recommended strategies and level of support required.

We work with families to prioritise practical goals and agree on an appropriate therapy approach.

Step 4 — Therapy and Progress Review

Occupational therapy sessions use individualised, goal-directed activities to support skill development and everyday participation.

Parents and carers are involved in reviewing strategies and supporting skill practice between sessions.

Goals and interventions are reviewed according to the child's progress and changing needs.

Paediatric Occupational Therapy at Home, School and in Clinic

Children use different skills across different environments.

HPNT provides occupational therapy services in the settings relevant to the child's needs and goals.

Clinic-Based Occupational Therapy in Larrakeyah and Zuccoli

Healing Pathways NT operates two occupational therapy clinic locations across Greater Darwin, providing families with options for accessing paediatric OT assessments and therapy.

Darwin — Larrakeyah Clinic

2 Kahlin Avenue Larrakeyah NT 0820

Palmerston — Zuccoli Clinic

Zuccoli Plaza, Shop 4A 2 Crosby Street Zuccoli NT

Both clinics provide appointment-based occupational therapy services. Families can discuss their preferred clinic location during the referral process.

Home-Based Occupational Therapy

Home visits allow our therapists to assess and support everyday routines, self-care, play and participation in the child's familiar environment.

School and Childcare Occupational Therapy

With appropriate consent and site approval, our therapists can observe classroom participation and collaborate with educators to develop practical strategies.

Community-Based Occupational Therapy

Community-based sessions can address functional goals related to recreation, participation and everyday environments.

NDIS Paediatric Occupational Therapy and Private Services

HPNT provides occupational therapy for children with relevant NDIS funding and families seeking privately funded services.

NDIS occupational therapy supports must align with the child's approved plan and applicable funding arrangements.

Families can contact our team to discuss their child's goals, available funding and assessment requirements.

Where a child does not have NDIS funding, privately funded occupational therapy services can be discussed.

Why Choose Healing Pathways NT?

Locally owned and operated: Our practice is based in Darwin, with clinic locations in Larrakeyah and Zuccoli supporting families across Greater Darwin and Palmerston.

Two convenient clinic locations: Families can access appointment-based paediatric occupational therapy at our Larrakeyah or Zuccoli clinic.

Family-centred: We involve parents and carers in developing goals, understanding assessment findings and implementing practical strategies.

Play-based and goal-focused: Therapy is tailored to children's interests and meaningful everyday activities.

Evidence-based occupational therapy: Assessment and intervention are informed by current evidence, clinical reasoning and individual functional needs.

Therapy where everyday life happens: We deliver services at home, school, in clinic and in community settings according to clinical needs and service arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a paediatric occupational therapist help with?

Paediatric occupational therapists support children with participation in everyday activities, including play, school tasks, handwriting, sensory regulation, dressing, toileting, routines and social participation.

How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?

An occupational therapy assessment may be appropriate when difficulties with everyday activities, motor coordination, sensory processing or self-care are affecting your child's participation at home, childcare or school.

Does my child need an autism or ADHD diagnosis to see an OT?

No formal diagnosis is required to make an initial enquiry or access privately funded occupational therapy. NDIS access and funding requirements are assessed separately.

Does the NDIS fund paediatric occupational therapy?

The NDIS funds eligible occupational therapy supports when they meet its funding criteria and are included within the child's approved funding arrangements.

Can an occupational therapist help my child with handwriting?

Yes. Occupational therapists assess the motor, visual-motor, postural and task-related factors affecting handwriting and develop functional strategies to support school participation.

Can occupational therapy help with sensory processing?

Yes. Occupational therapists assess how sensory processing differences affect everyday activities and recommend strategies, supports and environmental adaptations.

Do you provide occupational therapy in schools?

HPNT provides school-based occupational therapy where clinically appropriate and where the school has approved access.

Where are your paediatric occupational therapy clinics?

Healing Pathways NT operates two clinic locations (by appointment):

• Larrakeyah Clinic: 2 Kahlin Avenue, Larrakeyah NT 0820.
• Zuccoli Clinic: Zuccoli Plaza, Shop 4A/2 Crosby Street, Zuccoli NT.

Both clinics operate by appointment. Home, school and community occupational therapy services are also available according to service arrangements.

Can I choose between the Larrakeyah and Zuccoli clinics?

Families can indicate their preferred clinic location when making a referral. Appointments are arranged according to clinician availability and the child's therapy requirements.

Make a Paediatric Occupational Therapy Referral

Looking for a paediatric occupational therapist in Darwin, Palmerston, Larrakeyah or Zuccoli?

Healing Pathways NT welcomes enquiries from parents, carers, educators, support coordinators and health professionals.

Contact our team to discuss your child's functional needs, therapy goals and available appointment options.

Our Clinic Locations (by appointment)

Larrakeyah: 2 Kahlin Avenue, Larrakeyah NT 0820

Zuccoli: Zuccoli Plaza, Shop 4A/2 Crosby Street, Zuccoli NT