Occupational Therapy

If your child finds it hard to do everyday tasks, we can help them learn new skills or even find different ways of doing them.

Occupational Therapy at Aruma

At Aruma (formerly House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation), our Occupational Therapists (or OTs) help children with a disability to be as independent as possible.

This may mean learning new skills or finding new ways of doing everyday activities.

What can occupational therapy help my child learn?

If your child finds it hard to do everyday tasks, we can help to find new ways to do these. This could include:

  • Getting dressed
  • Following routines
  • Using a pencil or pen and writing
  • Using a knife and fork and eating
  • Showering and brushing teeth

We can also help your child improve what is called their gross motor skills. This just means we can help with everything from walking and climbing stairs to hopping, jumping, and catching and throwing a ball.

Can an Occupational Therapist help make changes to my home?

Yes! If you need, our Occupational Therapists can work out what changes to your home (or environment) might make life a bit easier.

This could include changes to:

  • Bathroom and kitchen layouts
  • Flooring such as non-slip options
  • Widening doorways
  • Installing ramps, stair lifts, rails and hoists
  • Changes to heating/cooling and lighting

My child needs new equipment, can an Occupational Therapist help me?

Yes, they can. First, our Occupational Therapists will work with you to find out what equipment you and your child may need.

We can then suggest and prescribe equipment including wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, pressure relief devices, specialist beds, and mealtime equipment.

Does Aruma offer sensory therapy?

We do. We understand that some children find it hard to understand or respond to loud noises, bright lights, textures, tastes, or other sensory inputs.

If your child finds this challenging, our Occupational Therapists can help.

We will first do an assessment and then help you and your child find ways to manage sensory inputs so they feel calm and settled.

Where does Aruma provide Occupational Therapy services?

Services for young children

For kids aged up to 12 years, we provide Occupational Therapy (as part of Early Childhood Intervention) services in NSW in the below locations:

Contact our team today on 1300 538 746 or enquiries@aruma.com.au, to see how we can help!

  • Northern NSW: (Ballina, Lismore, Alstonville, and surrounds)
  • New England NSW: (Armidale, Tamworth, Glen Innes, and surrounds)
  • Western NSW: (Forbes, Parkes and surrounds)

Services for older children and adults

We can also offer Occupational Therapy for children over 7+ years right through to adults in:

  • Melbourne, Vic
  • Sydney, NSW
  • Tweed Heads, NSW
  • Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Qld

But, we’re growing our Occupational Therapy services across a range of locations in NSW, Qld, and Vic. Watch this space! We also offer other disability services across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT.

Funding

NDIS Participants

The NDIS provides funding for Therapy and Clinical Supports.

For children 0-7 they can access the NDIS specialist childhood intervention support, called Early Childhood, Early Intervention (ECEI). Aruma, as an NDIS Early Childhood Partner, are experienced in providing early childhood intervention and can deliver the ECEI approach.

After age 7, your child may qualify for an NDIS package.  We are happy to assist you with supporting funding applications for your child.