Family Priorities First
The conversation begins with the routines, concerns and goals that matter most to your family.
Parent & Caregiver Occupational Therapy Consultation
Practical guidance for the routines your family manages every day.
A focused consultation for parents and caregivers who want to better understand a child’s participation, sensory responses, self-care, play, learning or daily routines—and leave with clearer, realistic next steps.
Available online and in clinic
The most suitable format depends on the concern, the child’s needs and whether direct assessment is required.
WE CAN DISCUSS
- Daily routines and participation
- Sensory responses and regulation
- Play, learning and school demands
- Self-care and independence
Routine-Based Guidance
Strategies are connected to real situations at home, school and in the community.
Clear Next Steps
You receive guidance on practical strategies, direct assessment or referral when appropriate.
Understanding Parent Consultation
A structured conversation that turns concerns into practical priorities.
A parent consultation gives caregivers dedicated time with an Occupational Therapist to discuss what is happening during everyday activities. The focus may include getting ready, mealtimes, toileting, sleep routines, play, classroom participation, handwriting, transitions or family outings.
The therapist considers the child’s strengths, the demands of each activity, the environment and the support already being used. A consultation may lead to home strategies, recommendations for a direct child assessment or advice to speak with another suitable healthcare or education professional.
Routines
Understanding where mornings, meals, homework, bedtime or transitions become difficult.
Participation
Looking at how the child engages in play, learning, self-care and family activities.
Environment
Considering sensory, physical, social and task demands that may help or hinder participation.
Collaboration
Clarifying how parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists can use consistent priorities.
When to Consider a Parent Consultation
When everyday situations keep feeling harder than they should.
A consultation is not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical evaluation. It can help organise observations, identify functional priorities and decide whether direct Occupational Therapy assessment or another service may be useful.
Daily routines regularly end in distress or conflict
Getting dressed, leaving home, mealtimes, homework, bath time or bedtime feels difficult to manage consistently.
Sensory responses affect participation
Noise, touch, clothing, movement, crowds, food textures or changes in routine seem to overwhelm or distract the child.
Self-care skills require more support than expected
Dressing, feeding, toileting, grooming, sleep or organising belongings is difficult for the child or family.
Play, handwriting or classroom tasks are challenging
Fine motor, attention, posture, planning or coordination concerns affect learning and participation.
You are unsure which professional or assessment is needed
There are concerns, reports or school observations, but the next step is not yet clear.
Guidance shaped around your child, family and everyday context.
Recommendations depend on the concern, developmental history, current routines, previous reports, direct observation when available and whether further assessment is needed.
Understanding the Child’s Strengths & Needs
Organising parent observations around participation, regulation, motor skills, attention and independence.
Sensory Regulation in Daily Life
Identifying patterns and considering practical environmental or routine-based supports.
Self-Care & Independence
Breaking down dressing, feeding, toileting, grooming and other routines into manageable steps.
Play, Learning & School Participation
Discussing task demands related to attention, handwriting, fine motor skills, planning and classroom routines.
Transitions & Family Routines
Creating clearer expectations, preparation strategies and consistent steps for recurring transitions.
Caregiver & School Collaboration
Helping adults communicate observations, priorities and practical strategies more consistently.
How the Consultation Works
A clear pathway from your questions to an informed next step.
The consultation is tailored to the information available. Some families need one focused discussion; others may benefit from direct child assessment, follow-up coaching or coordination with another professional.
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01
Share Your Main Concerns
Describe the child’s strengths, current difficulties, developmental history, routines and previous support.
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02
Review Real-Life Examples
Explore when the concern occurs, what the task requires and what changes the child’s participation.
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03
Agree Practical Priorities
Select realistic strategies or routine changes that fit the family’s immediate goals.
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04
Plan the Next Step
Clarify whether to monitor, practise strategies, arrange direct assessment or seek another referral.
Online & In-Clinic Options
Learn about Online Occupational Therapy
Choose the format that best supports the question you need answered.
Online consultations are often useful for parent discussion, reviewing videos or routines and planning home strategies. In-clinic consultation may be recommended when the therapist needs to observe the child directly, assess specific skills or use clinic-based materials.
Online Parent Consultation
Focused discussion, routine review, caregiver coaching and practical home guidance from your location.
In-Clinic Consultation
Suitable when direct observation, child assessment or a closer review of specific skills is recommended.
Preparing for Your Consultation
A few useful details can make the discussion more focused and practical.
You do not need a perfect history or formal diagnosis before speaking with the therapist. Bring the information you already have and identify the routines you most want to improve or understand.
Specific examples
Note what happens before, during and after a difficult routine, including what sometimes helps.
Available reports
Keep school notes, previous assessments, medical information or short videos available when relevant.
Your top priorities
Choose one or two situations that would make the greatest difference to everyday family life.
Helpful answers before your first conversation.
These answers provide general information. Recommendations depend on the child’s needs, available information, direct assessment findings and the wider healthcare or education context.
Still have a question? Contact our teamWhat is a Parent Occupational Therapy consultation?
It is a focused conversation with an Occupational Therapist about a child’s everyday participation and family concerns. The discussion may cover routines, sensory responses, self-care, play, learning or school participation and may result in practical strategies or a recommendation for further assessment.
Does my child need to attend the consultation?
Not always. A parent-only discussion may be suitable when the immediate need is to organise concerns, review routines or decide on next steps. The therapist may recommend a separate child assessment when direct observation is important.
Can a parent consultation provide a diagnosis?
A consultation is not intended to diagnose a medical or developmental condition. It can help identify functional concerns and clarify whether direct Occupational Therapy assessment, developmental screening, medical review or another specialist referral may be appropriate.
What should I bring or prepare?
Bring specific examples of the routines that concern you, any relevant school or medical information, previous reports and a short list of your main priorities. Videos may be helpful when they can be shared safely and respectfully.
How long is the consultation?
Parent consultations are commonly planned for approximately 45–60 minutes. The exact duration may vary according to the number of concerns, information reviewed and whether the child is also observed.
Can the consultation be completed online?
Yes, many parent discussions and routine-based guidance sessions can be completed online. The therapist will advise when direct observation, hands-on assessment or clinic resources would make an in-person appointment more suitable.
When might a direct child assessment be recommended?
Direct assessment may be recommended when the therapist needs to observe the child’s task performance, motor skills, sensory responses, attention, self-care or participation more closely before making individual recommendations.
BEGIN WITH A CONVERSATION
Not sure what support your child or family needs next?
Share the routines or situations that concern you and our team will help arrange the most suitable consultation.