Relationship-based occupational therapy in natural settings
Supporting children to build skills and participate in their everyday environments. Working collaboratively with families and educators to make participation achievable.
Our approach to clinical services
We’ve been providing community-based occupational therapy since 2014, building trust through genuine relationship-focused practice. We work with children in their everyday spaces—at home, in childcare, at school, in the community. Therapy happens where children actually live and learn, making strategies practical and achievable in real life.
What makes our clinical approach different:
– Relationship and safety before skills
– Child-led and play-based
– Family and educator collaboration
– Flexible support models
– Natural settings, not clinic-based
What we offer
1:1 Occupational Therapy Support
Working with children 0-12 years experiencing difficulties with everyday activities. We support children with:
– Emotional regulation and managing big feelings
– Sensory processing differences
– Play and social skills development
– Daily living skills (dressing, toileting, mealtimes)
– Fine and gross motor development
– School readiness and learning challenges
– Attention and executive functioning
– Developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences
Delivered in natural settings:
– Your home
– Childcare centre or kindergarten
– School
– Community settings
Flexible support models
ONGOING THERAPY Regular sessions (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) for children needing sustained support to build skills and address complex needs.
ICS One focused session for targeted problem-solving:
– High school transition planning
– Children who’ve disengaged from regular therapy
– Home-based challenges when therapy has been school-based
– Quick strategies for specific concerns
CONSULTATIVE SUPPORT Working with educators and families without direct child sessions. Observation, strategy development, capacity building.
SHORT BURSTS Intensive support for specific goals, then breaks to allow practice and consolidation.
Who we work with
AGE GROUPS Children 0-12 years
PRESENTATION
– Developmental delay
– Neurodevelopmental differences (Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities)
– Sensory processing challenges
– Motor coordination difficulties
– Social and emotional difficulties
– General developmental concerns
LOCATIONS Western suburbs of Adelaide
How we work
INITIAL CONTACT Phone or email enquiry, or referral from GP, paediatrician, educator, or other professional.
REFERRAL FORM We send you the link to our online referral form to gather essential information.
WAITING LIST OR ALLOCATION Depending on capacity, you may join our waitlist or be allocated to a therapist if we can fit you in.
FIRST SESSION We meet you and your child in their natural environment. This is about building relationship and understanding your situation.
SESSION SUMMARY After each session, we send a written summary to relevant team members (family, educators, other professionals).
ONGOING SUPPORT Frequency depends on goals, funding, and needs. We adjust as things change.
SERVICE REVIEW Regular check-ins (usually annually) to review goals and ensure support remains appropriate.
Funding options
NDIS If your child has NDIS funding, we work with:
– Plan-managed arrangements
– Self-managed plans
MEDICARE Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plans from your GP and Complex Neurodevelopmental plans from your paediatrician. Plus limited options for Mental Health Treatment plans from your GP.
PRIVATE / PRIVATE HEALTH We accept private payments and some private health fund rebates (check with your insurer).
Our team
We’re a small team of experienced occupational therapists:
Rachel van der Linden - Founder & Principal OT (30+ years experience)
Nicole Oppermann - Occupational Therapist (28+ years experience)
Steph Carman - Occupational Therapist (17+ years experience)
Ready to start
Contact us to discuss your child’s needs and whether occupational therapy support would be helpful.
[CONTACT US]
[REQUEST REFERRAL FORM]
We provide assessments and therapy support for children experiencing difficulties in their day-to-day activities:
Relationships
Emotional Regualtion
Sensory Regualtion
Toileting
Sleep
Mealtimes
Bathing
Dressing
Motor Skills
Playtime / Social time
School Readiness
Executive Functioning
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long is the waiting list?
It varies. Contact us for current wait times. Private funding sometimes allows faster access.
Where do sessions happen?
In your child’s natural environments—home, childcare, school, or community settings. We don’t have a clinic.
How long are sessions?
Typically 45-60 minutes depending on the child’s age and needs.
Do you work with other services?
Yes. We coordinate with speech pathologists, psychologists, paediatricians, educators, and other professionals involved.
What if my child doesn’t want therapy?
We follow the child’s lead. Sometimes we work indirectly with families and educators rather than directly with resistant children.
Can we have the same therapist each time?
We aim for therapist consistency wherever possible. Occasionally coverage is needed for leave.
What is the cost for therapy services?
PRIVATE FEES
○ $200 per hour for direct (in-person) support including therapy sessions, phone consultations and meetings
○ $200 per hour for non-direct support eg report writing, resource development and team liaison ○ travel is billed in 6-minute (0.1 hour) increments, based on your location
NDIS PARTICIPANTS
○ $193.99 per hour for direct (in-person) support including therapy sessions, phone consultations and meetings (in line with NDIS pricing)
○ $193.99 per hour for non-direct support eg report writing, resource development and team liaison ○ travel is billed in 6-minute (0.1 hour) increments, based on your location, at $97/hour plus non-labour costs (kilometres)
Is there any funding/rebates to help with the cost of services?
○ NDIS
— self or plan managed funding
○ Medicare
— we can offer services through Chronic Disease Management and Helping Children with Autism plans.
— we have limited availability to offer support through Mental Health Care Plans
— please contact us first if you wish to use this plan
○ Private Health
— check with your insurer for rebates and billing codes
How can I refer my child for OT support?
○ Direct from parents
○ Via GP/Paediatrician with Medicare plan (with parent consent)
○ Via educators (with parent consent)
What does a typical OT session look like?
Typically 50-minutes is allocated for direct support, tailored to your child's individual goals and needs, with non-direct time for planning and preparation and session summary added. Initial visit or phone consultation with parent if sessions will be held without parent there (eg at school)
How do you include parents if you see a child at school?
○ Session summaries are sent after the session to parents, and any other parties on parent consent
○ Quarterly home visit or phone call (during school holidays) to touch base with parents, and to check in on goals and any changes
