OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Dynamic and innovative Occupational Therapy helping children and adults reach their full potential.
Exercise, movement and brain-based therapy
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Hunter Functional Health provides education, strategies and care for children with musculoskeletal issues, developmental delays, sensory processing issues, retained neonatal reflexes and self-regulation.
Occupational Therapy can help people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. Occupational Therapists teach you how to adapt using key tools and strategies to help you better perform any kind of task at school, work, or at home.
Occupational Therapy can help with:
RETAINED REFLEXES
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
SCHOOL READINESS
SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDERS
EMOTIONAL REGULATION
BEHAVIOURAL CONCERNS
GROSS/FINE MOTOR SKILLS
CONCENTRATION/FOCUS
We offer Occupational Therapy services for privately funded clients, Self and Plan managed NDIS participants and clients with Medicare referrals or Private Health cover.
OUR SERVICES
Our Occupational Therapists work with families to assess and build capacity in your child’s areas of need.
ASSESSMENT
We use a range of both standardised and non-standardised assessments to fit your child’s needs.
BALANCE ASSESSMENT
COORDINATION
RETAINED REFLEXES
SOCIAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT
SENSORY PROFILE
FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS
VISUAL-MOTOR INTEGRATION
NDIS ASSESSMENTS
NDIS REPORTS
FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Our Occupational Therapists can help your child with self-care, school readiness, social skills, play skills and gross and fine motor skills.
RETAINED REFLEXES
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
SENSORY ISSUES
EMOTIONAL SKILLS
IMPULSE CONTROL
BEHAVIOURAL CONCERNS
SOCIAL SKILLS
CONCENTRATION / ATTENTION
CO-ORDINATION
PLANNING DIFFICULTIES
GROSS/FINE MOTOR SKILLS
POSTURE / CORE STRENGTH
MUSCULAR-SKELETAL COMPLAINTS
our difference
We use dynamic and innovative methods to identify brain imbalances and treat many symptoms of mental, attention, behavioural, and learning disorders.
We use assessments to determine your child’s current level of functioning, their strengths and weaknesses and how they manage on a day-to-day basis. We can then identify any challenges or gaps that may need to be addressed with therapy and other strategies.
EXERCISE AND BRAIN-BASED THERAPY
We use a combination of exercise and movement along with brain-based therapy to engage and challenge children in order to address developmental delays, retained reflexes, learning difficulties and behavioural concerns associated with ADD/ADHD, ASD, Autism and more.
INNOVATIVE TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY
We incorporate the use of reaction lights, lasers and VR technology to challenge children to build their skills and capacity in a fun and engaging way.
Using a dynamic, integrated approach supports consistent results, allowing us to get the best results, in the safest and fastest way possible.
Getting started
Wondering if Occupational Therapy is right for your child?
Perhaps you need more information or you’re simply just not sure where to start.
We’re here to help.
RETAINED REFLEXES
Retained reflexes can impact a child’s ability to learn & interact with the world around us. Reflexes that do not integrate successfully can lead to developmental delays.
RETAINED NEONATAL REFLEXES
Before a baby is born, and during early life, the brainstem has several reflexes called ‘primitive’ or ‘neonatal’ reflexes. Your baby's initial movements are reflex-based – predictable, repetitive, and subject to specific incoming stimuli. These reflexes help the baby to grow properly and safely.
As the child grows, these reflexes are no longer needed. Reflexes that persist path the intial years of life may affect development, motor control, sensory processing, learning opportunities and behaviour.
Occupational Therapist Aaron discusses retained neonatal reflexes in this video.
Infant reflexes that do not integrate successfully can lead to developmental delays
Retained reflexes contribute to issues such as; balance and coordination, sensory perception, impulse control and concentration, fine motor skills, sleep, immunity, energy levels, and all levels of social, emotional, and academic learning.
SIGNS OF RETAINED REFLEXES
Poor impulse control.
Fidgeting, easily distracted.
Poor dexterity.
Interrupted eye tracking.
Toe walking.
Motion sickness.
Difficulty changing gaze from far to near.
Poor posture.
Hypersensitive(or under-sensitivity) to sensory stimuli like light and sound and touch.
Overreacts.
Impulsive and aggressive.
Emotional immaturity.
Withdrawn or timid and shy.
If you think your child has retained primitive reflexes that may be contributing to behaviour issues and/or academic challenges, talk to your Paediatrician or Occupational Therapist.
Our Occupational Therapists work with children and parents to provide assessment, tools and strategies to identify and integrate retained reflexes.
To find out more give us a call on 0466 074 208.
REACHING MILESTONES
Developmental milestones track changes in babies as they learn to move, see, hear, communicate and interact with others
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
Children reach developmental milestones at their own pace, and some move faster than others. You may notice that even two siblings in the same family reach milestones at different rates.
There are four major types of developmental delays: cognitive; sensorimotor; speech and language (being the most common) and socio-emotional delays.
Minor, temporary delays are usually no cause for alarm, but an ongoing delay or multiple delays in reaching milestones can be a sign there may be challenges later in life.
Delays can have an impact on your child's ability to learn, communicate, and interact with others.
Occupational Therapists provide tools and strategies to remove barriers and improve development.
Falling outside the normal range isn’t always cause for concern, but if you’re concerned about your baby’s development, talk to your GP, paediatrician or Occupational Therapist.
An Occupational Therapist can provide therapy, tools and strategies to help remove barriers and improve development.
Our Occupational Therapists work with children and adults with developmental delays and disabilities.
To find out more give us a call on 0466 074 208.
is your child ready for school?
Preparing your child for the transition to school can be daunting.
SCHOOL READINESS
Starting ‘big school’ can bring with it a lot of sensations as children (and parents) navigate the challenges that come with a big change.
At school, there are increased demands and expectations for children:
INDEPENDENCE
SENSORY NEEDS
LEARNING
EMOTIONAL SKILLS
SOCIAL SKILLS
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS
CONCENTRATION AND ATTENTION
BEHAVIOUR
If your child struggles with any of the above, the transition to the school environment can be challenging. This can impact their ability to learn and keep up with their peers, make new friends, and ultimately can impact their enjoyment of school and learning.
Our Occupational Therapist work with children who require additional support to prepare for and thrive in the school environment.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We work with Self and Plan managed NDIS clients, Medicare plan referrals and Private Health clients.
Book a FREE introduction call
Not sure where to start? We offer complimentary 15-minute phone consultations with an Occupational Therapist to discuss whether Occupational Therapy is right for your child. You can request a call back here.
Initial assessment with report (3 hours) $580
A 1-hour Assessment session includes interview, observation, standardised assessment and/ or non-standardised assessments such as neurobehavioural testing, sensory, visual and fine/gross motor assessment and balance assessment.
From here, you will be provided with a report summary outlining findings, assessment scores and recommendations for your child’s treatment and therapy plan.
Book an initial assessment at our clinic online, or call us on 0466 074 208.
Parent/Primary carer meeting
A 1-hour session conducted in person or via telehealth to discuss the summary report and recommendations.
This session is designed to provide an explanation of assessment findings, identify goals, establish treatment plans and provide home-based intervention strategies.
Weekly Occupational Therapy (40-minutes per session) $160
40-minute sessions are completed weekly. Programs generally run in 6-12 week blocks with 1-2 sessions per week, depending on your child’s needs.
Sessions involve a combination of exercise and movement therapy along with brain-based therapy to engage and challenge children to bu8ld their capacity.
We offer safe and effective paediatric Occupational Therapy for children and families – providing strategies and therapy that are time and cost-effective and impactful.
Additional testing and progress reporting are available upon request.
MEET OUR TEAM
Our team of experienced Occupational Therapists use a combination of exercise and movement along with brain-based therapy to engage and challenge children.
ABRAHAM TEDJAKUSUMA
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
B.H.Sc., M.OccThy
Abraham is an AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registered Occupational Therapist graduating from the University of Sydney.
He is a strong advocate of a multidisciplinary therapy team approach, having completed his Bachelor in Exercise and Health Science prior to obtaining his Masters in Occupational Therapy.
Abraham’s focus is improving the quality of life of both children and adults, through a client-centred approach to therapy. He has a strong interest in the neurodevelopmental challenges faced by children and their families, working specifically with kids with developmental delays, retained primitive reflexes, and sensory processing issues.
AARON HENNESSY
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
TITLED SPORTS & EXERCISE CHIROPRACTOR (AICE)
B.ChSc., M.Chiro., ICSSD(FICS)., M.OccThy
Aaron is one of the few dual-qualified Sports Chiropractors and Occupational Therapists working in Australia.
Drawing on these dual-modalities, Aaron brings a unique perspective to assessment and treatment for his clients.
Aaron has a keen focus on integrating exercise and movement with paediatric neurodevelopment to help kids improve focus, behaviour and enhance learning opportunities.
He specifically cares for children with musculoskeletal issues, core/postural control concerns, developmental delays, sensory processing issues, retained neonatal reflexes and self-regulation issues.
Interested in Occupational Therapy?
Contact us on 0466 074 208 or submit an enquiry here.
We work with Plan and Self-managed NDIS, private health and Medicare plans.
MORE SERVICES
CHIROPRACTIC
We assess, diagnose and treat neuro-musculoskeletal problems. We use hands-on treatment, shockwave therapy, rehabilitation or a combination based on your needs.
Headaches, migraines, dizziness, concussions
Pregnancy related musculoskeletal pain
Neck and back pain
Whiplash associated disorders
TMJ complaints
Soft tissue complaints, sprains or tears
Injury rehabilitation
Mobility issues
Dry Needling
Shockwave therapy
Strength and conditioning
PODIATRY
We provide biomechanical assessment and prescribe premium and custom orthotics and use a range of therapies for pain management and injury rehabilitation.
Lower limb biomechanical assessment
Gait assessment
Custom foot orthotics
Footwear assessment
Strapping and taping
Shockwave therapy
Soft tissue release
Lower limb rehab and exercise
Injury rehabilitation
Dry needling
Paediatric podiatry
Ankle foot orthosis (AFO)