Blog
OT Insights
Hi there! We’re so glad you’ve found your way to The Therapy Network’s blog. This is your go-to space for honest, practical, and heart-led insights into the world of paediatric occupational therapy. Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, messy mealtimes, tricky handwriting, or anything in between – you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.
At The Therapy Network, our paediatric OTs are here to share tips, ideas, and stories that support your child’s development in ways that are fun, achievable, and rooted in connection. Let’s explore how we can help little ones grow, play, and shine – one small step at a time.
The Right Tools Can Change Everything: How Equipment Prescription Builds Independence for Children
When families hear the word equipment, they often picture wheelchairs or large pieces of specialised equipment. In reality, the right equipment can be as simple as an adapted spoon, a supportive chair, or a dressing aid—and these small changes can have a life-changing impact. In this blog, we explore how occupational therapists assess, prescribe, trial and recommend equipment that supports children to participate more independently in everyday life. Through the story of "Sam," we demonstrate how thoughtfully prescribed equipment can increase confidence, reduce frustration, and help children achieve greater independence at home, school and in the community.
More Than Words: How Key Word Sign Can Support Communication and Participation
Communication is about much more than spoken words. Following a recent Key Word Sign workshop at The Therapy Network, our Occupational Therapy team has been reflecting on how signs, gestures and other communication supports can help children and young people express themselves, understand others and participate more confidently in everyday life. Here, we share what we learnt, what stood out most and how we hope to bring this learning into our work with clients and families.
“I Just Told You!” Understanding Why Your Child Keeps Forgetting Things
Does your child constantly forget to bring home their lunchbox, lose their jumper, or need the same instructions repeated over and over? It can be frustrating, but these behaviours are often linked to working memory, an important executive functioning skill—not laziness or a lack of effort. In this blog, our occupational therapists explain what working memory is, why repeated reminders don't always help, and how practical strategies can support children, adolescents and young adults to become more independent.
Less Clutter, More Play: How Toy Rotation Can Support Children with ADHD
A playroom full of toys might seem like the perfect environment for play, but for some children with ADHD, too many choices can make it harder to know where to start, stay engaged or pack away afterwards. Toy rotation is a simple strategy that reduces visual clutter and creates a more manageable play environment. In this blog, our Occupational Therapists at The Therapy Network explore how toy rotation can support attention, creativity, executive functioning and independent play — without taking the fun out of playtime.
Beyond the Therapy Room: Why OTs Love Working Where Children Learn
A child can show us so much in a therapy room—but sometimes the missing piece of the puzzle is seeing them in the place where they spend much of their week: school. From managing classroom routines and playground friendships to coping with noise, organising belongings, starting tasks and regulating big emotions, school places many demands on a child at once. From an Occupational Therapist’s perspective, seeing these everyday moments firsthand can provide incredibly valuable insight into what is helping a child participate—and what might be getting in the way. In this TTN OT Insight, we explore why our Occupational Therapists work in schools, what we are looking for during a school visit, and how collaboration between therapists, educators and families can help children feel more confident, capable and included throughout their school day.
Wiggles, Wobbles and Wondering Why: Understanding Movement Needs in the Classroom
Does your child constantly fidget, rock on their chair, swing their legs, or find it impossible to sit still during class? While these behaviours are often mistaken for poor attention or disruptive behaviour, they may actually be a child's way of helping their brain stay alert and regulated. In this blog, The Therapy Network (TTN) explains why movement is essential for learning, how occupational therapists understand movement needs, and practical strategies to help children succeed in the classroom without expecting them to remain perfectly still.