Every child grows at their own pace, but sometimes everyday tasks feel harder for them. Here are ten signs that a chat with a paediatric occupational therapist might help.
Occupational therapy (OT) helps children build the everyday skills they need to play, learn, socialise and become more independent. As a paediatric OT service across South West Sydney, one of the most common questions we hear from parents is simply: "How do I know if my child needs support?"
There's no single answer, but the signs below are worth paying attention to. Noticing a few of them doesn't mean anything is "wrong". It just means a conversation could help.
Struggles with holding a pencil, using scissors, doing up buttons or building with small pieces.
Strong reactions to sand, paint, glue, grass or getting hands dirty.
Frequent meltdowns, difficulty calming down, or becoming easily overwhelmed.
Covering ears at everyday sounds, distress with clothing tags, or seeking constant movement.
Eating only a small range of foods, or distress at mealtimes. More on fussy vs problem feeding →
Finding dressing, toileting, sleep or brushing teeth harder than peers of the same age.
Bumping into things, frequent falls, or trouble with stairs, balls and playground equipment.
Difficulty staying with an activity, following instructions, or sitting for a task.
Finding it hard to join in, share, take turns, or engage in back-and-forth play.
Concerns raised by educators, or your own sense that the jump to school feels big. School readiness & fine motor →
Children reach milestones at their own pace, and a single sign on its own is rarely cause for concern. But if several feel familiar, or if your gut tells you something is worth exploring, early support makes a real difference. Early intervention (particularly 0–9 years) is where small changes have the biggest impact.
Our approach is neuro-affirming and strengths-based: we start with what your child can do and build from there. See how our assessment and therapy works →
You don't need to have it all figured out. Reach out and we'll help you work out the next step for your child.
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