The Early Years

Three sunflower seedlings at different stages of growth on a beige textured fabric background.

"What happens during the early years is of crucial importance for every child's development. Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life, making these years the most important for learning and development, than any other stage of their life".

  • Wattle Tree Occupational Therapy services are for children aged 0-6 years. 

  • In person therapy services are provided in your child’s natural environments; home, childcare, preschool. This is in line with best practice.

    The Wattle Tree Therapy service area is the Western Suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.

  • Telehealth services are available online if they suit your child’s goals.

Skills for Living

As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, I work with families to support your child to participate in daily living skills, for their stage of development.

For example...

  • Playing - valuing individual passions and play styles, making genuine and mutual connections with others, playing with toys

  • Mealtimes - using cutlery, expanding restricted eating

  • Toileting - using a potty or toilet

  • Grooming - successful bath time, brushing hair and teeth

  • Dressing - getting dressed, shoes on the correct feet, dirty clothes in the washing basket!

  • Preschool - feeling safe and supported in the preschool environment, making social connections, learning to draw, concentrating on a task

  • School - transitioning and adjusting to school, helping teachers understand your child and their needs

And many other things! 

Occupational therapy supports your child with skills for living.

A small white crocheted jacket hanging on a wooden clothes rack outdoors, with a wicker basket, a round wicker table with clothespins, and natural greenery in the background.

Let’s Play!

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Let’s Play! *

Through connection, play, and everyday activities we practice...

  • Regulation Skills - Nervous system regulation includes sensory, emotional, and behavioural regulation. We do this through relationships, co-regulation, and learning how to recognise and support our individual needs

  • Social Connection - meaningfully connecting with other people

  • Thinking Skills - problem solving, planning, concentrating

  • Movement Skills - hand skills and whole body movements

Playing with your child is also balanced with chatting to you, as the child’s family, to support them in everyday life.

A child's hand pushing a small wooden toy train along a fallen log, with two additional train cars behind it, in an outdoor wooded area.

  • I visit you in your natural environment (home, childcare, preschool, or local community space)

  • I hear your goals (what's going well, and what you'd like to change)

  • I offer formal assessment if needed

  • Wherever possible, I offer ideas to fit in with the routines and rhythms of your family life

  • Telehealth appointments are available where it fits with your child’s goals. We work out the plan together

Therapy Process

  • Discovery Call

    15mins | Free

    Chat to Michelle, have your questions answered, and see if you’re the right fit for each other.

    Initial Consultation

    In person, or Telehealth (Online)

    60mins | $290

    Includes an hour with you and your child, and additional time for your OT to: plan, score and interpret your child’s sensory assessment, liaise with your support team if needed, and write a session summary. You’ll receive your child’s individual sensory assessment results.

    Therapy Consultations

    In person, or Telehealth (Online)

    60mins | $240

    Includes an hour with you and your child, and additional time for your OT to: plan activities, liaise with your support team if needed, and write a session summary.

    45mins | $190

    Includes 45 minutes with you and your child, and additional time for your OT to: plan activities, liaise with your support team if needed, and write a session summary.

    Review Consultations

    Telehealth (Online) or Phone Call

    30mins | $95

    A chat about what’s going well, and unpack any tricky things together.

    15mins | $48

    A check-in about what’s going well, and problem solve any little things together.

    Travel

    Telehealth services involve no travel fees. Travel to you is based on your location. Chat with Michelle for a quote.

    NDIS

    Fees for services provided under NDIS are billed according to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements.

  • Your child may be eligible for rebates through NDIS, Medicare, or private health insurance.

    I work with children whose NDIS plans are self-managed or plan-managed.

    Please check with your GP or Paediatrician to see if your child is eligible for Medicare subsidised allied health services.

    Please check with your private health insurer to see if your child is eligible for rebates.

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Let’s Connect

Contact me to book a free discovery call, therapy session, or share any questions you have. I’ll be in touch shortly.