Therapy for children and teens, grounded in current neuroscience and built around play
Occupational therapy, speech therapy and behaviour support in Artarmon. Offering clinic based and community based (mobile) paediatric therapy services.
OT, speech & behaviour support
Clinic, home, school and childcare
Dedicated sensory gyms
Who we work with
At North Shore Kids Therapy, we support children and young people from infancy through to adolescence (0 to 18 years). Every child has their own strengths, developmental profile, interests and support needs.
Our occupational therapists, speech pathologists and Positive Behaviour Support practitioners work alongside children, young people and their families to support participation, connection, confidence and wellbeing in everyday life.
We have particular experience supporting neurodivergent children and young people. That includes those who are autistic, have ADHD, or experience differences in sensory processing, communication, motor coordination, learning or emotional regulation.
We support children and young people who:
- Are autistic or have ADHD, including children with complex or overlapping developmental profiles
- Experience sensory processing differences, such as heightened sensitivity to sound, touch or movement, sensory seeking, or difficulty noticing and interpreting sensory information
- Find emotional regulation challenging, including frequent overwhelm, meltdowns, shutdowns, anxiety or difficulty with everyday demands
- Have differences in motor coordination and planning, including dyspraxia, or difficulties with balance, body awareness, handwriting or learning new movement skills
- Experience communication differences, including in speech, language development, social communication, or understanding and expressing their needs
- Find social interactions and relationships challenging, including friendships, understanding social situations, advocating for themselves and building meaningful connections
- Find everyday activities hard, such as dressing, eating, personal care, sleep, transitions and building independence
- Find school or other learning environments difficult, including school-related distress, reduced attendance, joining in in class, or the sensory and social demands of school
- Have developmental delays or complex support needs, including children who need substantial or very substantial support (Level 2 and Level 3), and children who are non-speaking or use AAC
Looking beyond the diagnosis
Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get support from us.
Development isn’t always linear. A child’s abilities can vary a lot depending on their environment, relationships, sensory experiences and sense of safety. So rather than focusing only on a diagnosis or one difficulty, we take the time to understand the whole child: their strengths, interests, developmental foundations, nervous system, and the places where they live, learn and play.
Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-based and developmentally informed. We work with families to set meaningful goals and build the foundations for taking part in everyday life.
Supporting families, not just children
Children don’t develop in isolation. Parents, carers, educators and other important people play a vital role in a child’s development and wellbeing. That’s why working closely with families, parent coaching and working alongside educators are central to how we work.
Together, we aim to create environments, relationships and opportunities where each child feels understood, supported and empowered.
Our two lead clinicians have each spent 20 to 30 years working with children who need substantial support.
Informed by current research
Our approach is grounded in evidence-informed practice, drawing on current research across child development, neuroscience, sensory processing, communication, motor development and social-emotional wellbeing. We integrate research findings with clinical expertise, professional guidelines and a deep understanding of each child’s unique developmental profile, strengths and needs. We are committed to ongoing learning, critical reflection and evolving our practice as new evidence emerges.
Play is a core element of therapy
Play is how children explore, connect, communicate and make sense of the world around them. Our play-based, relationship-focused approach follows each child’s interests, motivations and developmental needs, creating meaningful opportunities to build connection, confidence and new skills. We recognise that development is unique to every child, and that feeling safe, connected and engaged provides an important foundation for learning and growth.
Every clinic room is a sensory gym
Our purpose-built sensory gyms are thoughtfully designed to support movement, exploration, play and connection. With a wide range of specialised sensory and movement equipment in every therapy room, we create opportunities for children to explore their bodies, develop sensory-motor foundations and engage in meaningful developmental experiences. Each space allows our therapists to tailor activities to a child’s individual sensory needs, interests and developmental goals, within a safe, supportive and engaging environment.
Occupational Therapy
Our Occupational Therapy approach looks beyond individual skills to understand the whole child. Through play, movement, sensory-rich experiences and meaningful relationships, we support the development of sensory-motor foundations, emotional regulation, independence and participation in everyday life. Our approach is tailored to each child’s unique strengths, interests and developmental needs.
Speech Therapy
Our Speech Therapy approach looks beyond words to understand the whole child. Through play, connection and meaningful interactions, we support the development of communication, language, social connection and self-advocacy. Our neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-based approach embraces all forms of communication and is tailored to each child’s unique strengths, interests and developmental needs.
Behaviour Support
Our Occupational Therapists support children with emotional regulation as part of everyday therapy. For children experiencing more complex behavioural challenges or situations involving safety concerns, our Positive Behaviour Support service provides specialised assessment and individualised strategies. Through a neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-based approach, we seek to understand the needs, communication and environmental factors underlying behaviour, while supporting children, families and those around them.
Groups and programs
Our groups and programs create meaningful opportunities for children to connect, explore shared interests and develop skills alongside peers. From paired therapy sessions and school readiness programs to interest-based social groups, our approach is play-based, neurodiversity-affirming and tailored to children’s developmental needs. We focus on fostering authentic connections, confidence and participation in supportive environments where every child can engage in their own way.
In the clinic, and out where life happens
As well as sessions in our clinics, we see children and teens at home, at school, at childcare and out in the community. That means we can work on goals in the places they matter, like the morning routine, the classroom or the supermarket, and share strategies with the people who are there every day.
Have a question or want to know more?
Reach out today and let’s explore how we can support your goals.