The things families want to know first

No. You do not need a referral to see an occupational therapist privately, and you do not need a diagnosis. Many families arrive with a referral from a GP, paediatrician, psychologist or the school, and many arrive without one. A referral only matters if you intend to claim a Medicare rebate, which is covered under Fees and funding below.

Children and young people aged 5 to 18. FIRST Occupational Therapy works primarily with school-age children around literacy and learning, sensory processing, coordination, regulation and participation at school.

Call James on 0478 122 344, email james@firstot.com.au, or send an enquiry through the contact form. Every enquiry comes to James directly and he replies personally, usually within two business days during the school term.

Often, yes. FIRST Occupational Therapy is a solo practice with a deliberately small caseload, and appointments run fortnightly in fixed slots, so a place opens up when another family finishes. Places are limited, and there is often a wait. Several places are expected to open at the end of Term 4 2026.Two things are worth knowing. An assessment can often be booked sooner than an ongoing therapy place, and it is the assessment that tells you whether ongoing therapy is the right next step. Availability also changes every term, so the simplest thing to do is ring and ask. James will tell you where things stand and what the wait is likely to be.

Many parents are not sure, and that is a perfectly good place to start. The Paediatric OT page describes the things parents most often notice. If you are still unsure after reading it, call James and talk it through. A short conversation is usually enough to say whether an assessment makes sense, and if a different profession would be the better first stop, he will tell you so.