What is an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist working with adults, children or adolescents aims to help them achieve their daily occupations that may include self-care, work / school and play / leisure. By focussing on these key areas, Occupational Therapist’s support adults and children in developing confidence, self-esteem, and general wellbeing. An Occupational Therapist will support a person’s “occupations”. These occupations are the activities adults or children perform in their everyday lives, to participate in work, pre-school or school, enjoy life and recreation. Occupational Therapy considers the adult or child in the context of their family, work / educational and community setting.
An Occupational Therapist supports adults and children of all ages and needs. Enriching kids specifically can support you and / or your neurodivergent child in self-regulation, anxiety and emotional regulation, stress behaviours, sensory processing differences, executive function and organisational differences, handwriting, fine and gross motor differences.
My approach
Enriching Kids believes in creating connection and change with families, using a neurodiverse affirming practice. I like to work in true partnership with families, in a family centred, coaching and evidence-based practice. I prioritise and have strengths in building connection and relationships with families that aim to create and achieve better outcomes for the families I support.
Enriching Kids is passionate about seeing all children and their families as whole humans that deserve our understanding and supporting. We value, understand and see children doing the best they can at any moment with the tools and skills they have, within the context of that moment. Children’s behaviours are reframed and understood to have deeper and layered reasons and stressors behind them. Change for children and their families is done in a collaborative way that is most helpful, supportive and compassionate for the child and their family and / or care team.
Enriching Kids Occupational Therapy services
Individual client sessions
Parent coaching
Adult coaching for self regulation; includes stress awareness and education, recognising your stressors, and personal strategies to reduce your stressors and restore energy.
Group programs - I offer small groups for Adult / Parent Self Regulation coaching, Calm Connections and Peaceful Parenting groups for parents / carers. These all run on an as needs basis.
Telehealth sessions
Presentations
Enriching kids specifically can support you and/or your neurodivergent child in developing self-regulation, anxiety and emotional regulation, self awareness, social awareness, neurodivergent identity, self advocacy, sensory processing differences, executive function and organisational differences, handwriting, self-care, fine and gross motor differences.
What is covered in the initial coaching appointment?
In the initial appointment we will spend time listening, supporting and coaching you about you (and your child’s) strengths, barriers, and areas of concern. We will also explore the areas of your (and your child’s) daily occupations where you and your child feel you might need some coaching and support. The need for further support is then determined and we will coach you through an initial plan. This may include recommendations for
Referrals to other services i.e. Paediatrician, Psychology, Audiology, Optometry, Speech Pathology.
The need for an initial Occupational Therapy screen assessment with your child. This initial appointment may include observing and engaging your child in a range of tasks i.e. play, games, tying shoes laces, handwriting, physical skills.
Additional adult / parent coaching sessions
Formal assessment of specific areas of your child’s development such as their physical and sensory skills.
Observation of your child in another setting such as the classroom or playground
Discussion with other professionals supporting your child i.e. classroom teacher.
Coaching of goal areas for your child’s therapy programme.
Coaching regarding strategies to support you and / or your child,
Coaching a clear plan for the next step.
What do I bring and how can I prepare for and get the most out of the initial coaching appointment?
Forward any copies prepared of any previous medical or allied health reports.
Think about your child’s areas of strengths and interests.
Think about the barriers to your child’s daily occupations where you have concerns.
Think about what your child’s interests, what they enjoy doing and love to play.
Think about any specific questions you may have.
Explore the fees information prior to your coaching appointment. You may wish to seek a Medicare plan or look into your private health insurance policies.
Self-Regulation Coaching - Enriching yourself
Self Regulation Coaching introduces participants to Shanker’s Self-Reg framework. These coaching sessions aim to deepen your understanding of yourself (and your child), and the impact of stress and tension on the brain and behaviour. It aims to help you understand your energy and tension levels, and how this influences your daily life and relationships. These coaching sessions use a five step process from Shanker’s Self-Reg model to develop your self awareness, help you understand and manage your stress / tension and energy, while encouraging greater compassion and kindness towards yourself (and children), and enriching your relationships. These coaching sessions introduce you to each step in the framework and how you can use these in your own life to support yourself and your children. The Self Reg framework uses the following five steps - Reframe behaviours, Recognise the stressors, Reduce the stress, Reflect: Enhance stress awareness and Restore: Develop personal strategies for responding to stress and returning to calm. Further training following these coaching sessions can be sought through the Mehrit Centre. https://self-reg.ca
Cancellation Policy
Enriching Kids appreciate that a cancellation may be unavoidable, however, when clients do not turn up to scheduled appointments or we receive late notice, we are unable to offer this appointment to another family.
We ask that notice is given when cancelling an appointment. Email appointment reminders are sent to families three days (72 hours) before scheduled appointments to allow sufficient time to cancel an appointment if needed. When you receive this reminder, if you are aware that your child will be unable to attend the scheduled appointment, please contact Enriching Kids straight away.
If the required notice is not given, a cancellation fee will be charged. Balancing our responsibilities in this area is of the utmost importance to us. We need to be as fair as possible to our client families whilst maintaining an income for this small business and ensure there is a service to offer. Thank you for your understanding.
A cancellation is when you contact Enriching Kids to notify us that you and/or your child are unable to attend a scheduled appointment.
For cancellations made 24-48 hours before your scheduled appointment, a 50% cancellation fee will apply.
A late cancellation is when you contact us less than 24 hours before your appointment. If less than 24 hours' notice is given to cancel an appointment, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
A non-attendance appointment is when you and/or your child does not attend the scheduled appointment and you have not notified us. For any non-attendance, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
A late cancellation/non-attendance fee is 100% of the fee for the scheduled appointment. This cancellation fee must be paid before any further sessions are scheduled.
Failure to attend a therapy appointment face-to-face or via Telehealth/Zoom without notification and without good reason will incur a non-attendance fee of 100% of the scheduled appointment.
Payment is via bank transfer.
Please email Enriching Kids for the full cancellation policy.
Telehealth information
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is a term that refers to the delivery of health care services and support via any telecommunication technology. A telehealth service can consist of video conferencing, phone calls, emails and text or other direct messages.
Evidence suggests that telehealth can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions.
Telehealth can be successfully used for many situations including direct therapy, parent/teacher coaching, education and support, monitoring of home programs and problem solving.
Appointments through telehealth will be personalised to your situation and goals.
What can you expect?
If you would like a telehealth appointment, contact your OT and you will be sent an invitation to your child’s appointment via email. When you click on this link, you will be welcomed into the online ‘room’ by your OT.
You and your child will both need to be present for the telehealth consultation – just as you would be if you were attending our clinic.
At this stage we will be trialing the Zoom platform. The Zoom platform includes the following features to make telehealth sessions engaging and fun.
Video Link - You will have a video link to your child’s therapist so you can interact in real time.
Document sharing – which can be annotated by your OT, you or your child – to allow interactive learning.
Screen sharing – so you can watch videos that relate to your child’s OT goals together. For example, social skills, educational or mindfulness videos. These can be paused to allow opportunities to reflect, learn and share ideas.
What will happen?
At the commencement of the telehealth service, your OT will discuss ways of working together, that will work for both you and your child when using the telehealth model.
Your OT will ask you how you would like your telehealth service to look, what you would like to gain and explore the practicalities of how it will work.
Your OT will usually send you through a session plan prior to the appointment, including any resources that will be helpful to prepare. We will only suggest practical equipment and resources that you are likely to have in your home, e.g. paper, textas, scissors, pretend play resources.
Engage your child in therapy activities, providing encouragement, motivation and positive reinforcement and feedback.
Provide coaching and guidance to you about ways to support your child’s skills, development and participation.
Continue to share information with the team with your consent – to ensure strategies can be integrated across different settings and working together to support your child’s wellbeing and development.
What do you need to do?
Help your child prepare for the session and this new way of working.
Set yourself up with a laptop or ipad in a quiet space away from the distractions of family activity.
Work in a space without bright light or sunlight behind you- as this will create a glare in your video image.
Set yourself up in a place where the internet connection is strong - to ensure good connectivity, audio and video quality.
Sit with your child and participate in the session together. Coaching and encouraging them as well as having fun!
Funding and Prices
NDIS
Enriching Kids is available to clients who are self-managed or financial intermediary managed. We ask that families with NDIS funding provide a copy of their NDIS plan prior to their parent coaching session to allow us to prepare a service agreement with clear information about fees and service provision.
Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Assessment
Usually requires 2 x 60 minute sessions at home or school, standardised assessments, 1 hour parent consultation, 2 hour scoring and analysis and report writing minimum.
From $800.00. Price will be discussed following intake and prior to assessment.
Initial Occupational Therapy Screening Consultation
Up to 120-minute assessment session at home or school, includes parent consult, summary page notes.
Price from $475.00.
Occupational Therapy Consultation
Home Visit (50 minutes direct consultation, 15 minutes non direct support)
$210.00
School Visit (50 minutes direct consultation, 15 minutes non direct support)
$210.00
Parent coaching / feedback (50 minutes consultation face to face or Telehealth , 15 minutes non direct support)
$210.00
Additionals
Travel. There is no charge for travel for home and school visits within the City of Nillumbik. At this stage Enriching Kids is only able to see clients living in the City of Nillumbik.
Scheduled phone calls / emails over 10 minutes.
Administration and Report Writing - Administration, preparation of resources and report writing is charged at the hourly rate. If a report or administration time is required, this will be discussed with you first.
Medicare
Chronic Disease Management Plan - formerly Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC)
The Chronic Disease Management Plan can be accessed through your GP. It entitles your child to up to 5 sessions per calendar year with an allied health professional. To be eligible for this plan, your child's medical condition must be considered chronic, meaning it has been present for at least 6 months and they have needs in more than one area. They must also be receiving care from at least two other health professionals. Please note this funding option available through Medicare provides a partial rebate for Occupational Therapy services.
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or Better Access to Mental Health
Mental Health Care plan funding can be accessed with a referral from a GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. Clients are entitled to up to 10 sessions per calendar year - following an initial 6 sessions, the referrer must then write to the allied health professional after a review, to allow clients to access a further 4 sessions. Please note this funding option available through Medicare provides a partial rebate for Occupational Therapy services.
If your health professional decides you’re eligible, you can have an extra 10 group sessions. This must be discussed with your GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. You may be able to use these group sessions for the Enriching Kids Groups.
Helping Children with Autism (HCWA)
The Helping Children with Autism plan provides funding towards 4 assessment sessions with any health professional to assist in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). This plan must be in place by the child's 13th birthday. Following a diagnosis, a child can access up to 20 further sessions with any health professional, up until their 15th birthday.
Please be aware that you cannot claim through Medicare and your Private Health insurance - if applicable - for the same visit.
Enriching Kids is currently unable to process Medicare rebates on your behalf. We ask that when you receive an invoice you settle the account in full. We will then issue a receipt that you can use to claim your rebate from Medicare.
Private Health and Self-Funded
Please contact your private health insurer directly to find out if you are entitled to claiming your Occupational Therapy sessions.
Please be aware that you cannot claim through Medicare and your Private Health insurance for the same visit.
How much will NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance / Self-Funded cost
Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Assessment
Usually requires 2 x 60 minute sessions at home or school, standardised assessments, 1 hour parent consultation, 2 hour scoring and analysis and report writing minimum.
From $800.00. Price will be discussed following intake and prior to assessment.
Initial Occupational Therapy Screening Consultation
Up to 90-minute assessment session at home or school, includes parent consult, summary page report up to 60 minutes.
$475.00
Occupational Therapy Consultation
The rate for all clients, private or NDIS, will be $193.99 per hour.
Home Visit (50 minutes direct consultation, 15 minutes non direct support)*
$210.00
School Visit (50 minutes direct consultation, 15 minutes non direct support)*
$210.00
Parent coaching / feedback (50 minutes consultation face to face or Telehealth , 15 minutes non direct support)
$210.00
Additionals
Travel. There is no charge for travel for home and school visits within the City of Nillumbik. At this stage Enriching Kids is only able to see clients living in the City of Nillumbik.
Scheduled phone calls / emails over 10 minutes.
Administration and Report Writing - Administration, preparation of resources and report writing is charged at the hourly rate. If a report or administration time is required, this will be discussed with you first.
Attendance at School Meeting
$210.00*
Travel
*Travel within City of Nillumbik - No Charge
Travel to all other areas – Please discuss with therapist.
Up to $80.00 per hour