Parent support & coaching · Lane Cove
Telehealth
Occupational Therapy
Practical strategies and gentle guidance, so you feel more confident supporting your child every day.
- Members of Occupational Therapy Australia
A partnership
Online Occupational Therapy
Not every family can make it to a clinic each week. You might live hours from Sydney, have limited flexibility during the week, or have a child who feels more at ease in a familiar and comfortable environment. Telehealth occupational therapy at OT Kids Academy brings our team to you, with online sessions that support your child and give you practical strategies to use at home.
Why Telehealth Occupational Therapy Works
A lot of occupational therapy is about coaching, problem-solving and practising skills in everyday routines, and much of that translates well to a screen. Working online also means your therapist sees your child in their real environment, using their own toys, table and space, which can make strategies easier to carry into daily life.
Telehealth is not the right fit for every goal or every child, and we will always tell you if we think in-person sessions would serve your child better. For many families, though, it is a flexible, practical way to access support that would otherwise be hard to reach.
Is Telehealth Right for Your Family?
Telehealth may suit your family well if several of the following feel familiar:
You live outside Sydney, or a long way from our Lane Cove clinic
Travelling to appointments is hard with work, school or other children
Your child engages more comfortably in their own home environment
You want to reduce time off school and work for appointments
You are mainly seeking parent coaching and strategies to use at home
You want to continue therapy while travelling, unwell, or between clinic visits
If you are unsure whether telehealth suits your child, a conversation with our team can help you decide. We can also combine online and in-person sessions where that works best.
What We Support Through Telehealth
Many areas of occupational therapy can be supported online, either on their own or alongside clinic visits. Depending on your child's goals, telehealth may include:
Parent coaching and strategy sessions
Handwriting and fine motor guidance
Social skills and emotional regulation support
Everyday routines such as sleep, mealtimes and self-care
Goal setting, therapy planning and reviews
School and home program support and follow-up
Some assessments and goals are better suited to in-person sessions. Your therapist will recommend the right approach for your child, and let you know if a clinic visit would help.
How Telehealth Sessions Work
Telehealth sessions are booked like any other appointment. Before your first session, we send you a secure video link and a short list of anything to have ready. During the session, your therapist guides your child and you through activities using items you already have at home, watching how your child responds and adjusting as you go.
For younger children, an adult stays nearby to help keep things running and to learn the strategies firsthand. After the session, your therapist shares notes, next steps and any activities to practise, so the work continues between appointments.
What You Will Need
Getting set up for telehealth is straightforward. To take part, you will need:
A device with a camera and microphone, such as a laptop, tablet or computer
A reliable internet connection
A quiet, safe space where your child can move and focus
A few everyday household items your therapist may suggest ahead of time
An adult present to support younger children during the session
You do not need any special software or equipment. If you are not sure your setup will work, our team is happy to help you get ready before your first session.
Support for Parents and Caregivers
Telehealth naturally puts you at the centre of your child's therapy. Because you are in the room, you see exactly how strategies work and can weave them into your family's routines. Many parents find this hands-on involvement builds their own confidence, so support continues long after the session ends.
Telehealth Assessments, Funding & Reports
Where suitable, assessments, reviews and goal setting can be completed over telehealth, and our therapists can provide written reports to support communication with schools, early learning settings, funding bodies or other health professionals. Some assessments are better suited to in-person sessions, and we will let you know when that is the case.
Telehealth may be accessed through private payment, Medicare where eligibility criteria are met, or NDIS for eligible participants and plan types. Funding rules can vary, so we recommend checking your plan or asking our team about your options. A referral is not required for private appointments.
Ready when you are
Book a Telehealth Session
Wherever you are, support can be closer than you think. Call our Lane Cove clinic on (02) 8040 0876 or get in touch to ask about telehealth and talk through what online sessions might look like for your child.
Get in touch
Send an enquiry and we will help you find the right starting point.
Book an Assessment
Talk it through with our friendly team
Explore our services
See the full range of paediatric OT support we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Telehealth raises a lot of questions, and most parents arrive with the same ones. Here are the questions we hear most often.
What Is Telehealth Occupational Therapy?
Telehealth occupational therapy is therapy delivered online through secure video, rather than in a clinic. Your therapist works with your child and you in real time, using activities and items you have at home, and coaches you through strategies you can keep using afterwards. It covers many of the same goals as in-person therapy, with the added benefit that your therapist sees your child in their everyday environment.
Is Telehealth As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
For many goals, telehealth can work well, and research supports its use in paediatric therapy, particularly where parent coaching and everyday routines are involved. That said, it is not the best fit for every child or every goal, and some assessments and hands-on activities are better done in person. Your therapist will be honest about what telehealth can support for your child and when a clinic visit would help. Outcomes vary between individuals.
Is Telehealth Suitable For My Child?
Telehealth suits many children, especially where the focus is on parent coaching, routines, or practising skills at home. It can work across a range of ages when an adult is available to support younger children. Some children engage better in person, and some goals need hands-on work. The best way to know is to talk with our team, who can recommend telehealth, in-person sessions, or a combination.
Do I Need To Be Present During Sessions?
For younger children, yes. An adult stays nearby to help set up activities, keep the session running, and learn the strategies so they can be used during the week. For some older children and teenagers, you may be less directly involved, though your therapist will still keep you informed and included. Your role is discussed and agreed before you begin.
What Technology Do I Need For Telehealth?
You will need a device with a camera and microphone, such as a laptop, tablet or computer, and a reliable internet connection. A quiet space where your child can move and focus helps, along with any everyday items your therapist suggests ahead of time. You do not need special software, and our team is happy to help you get set up before your first session.
Can We Use NDIS Or Medicare For Telehealth?
Telehealth may be accessed through private payment, Medicare where eligibility criteria are met, or NDIS for eligible participants and plan types. Funding rules can change and vary between plans, so we recommend checking your plan details or asking our team about your options before booking. A referral is not required for private appointments.
Can Assessments Be Done Over Telehealth?
Some assessments, reviews and goal-setting sessions can be completed over telehealth, while others are better suited to in-person sessions. It depends on what is being assessed and your child's needs. Your therapist will recommend the most appropriate approach and explain why, so you know what to expect before you begin.
Can We Switch Between Telehealth And In-Person Sessions?
Yes. Many families use a combination, such as an in-person assessment followed by telehealth reviews, or clinic visits during school holidays and online sessions in between. We can adjust the mix as your child's needs and your circumstances change, so support stays practical for your family.
How Do I Get Started With Telehealth?
The first step is to get in touch so we can talk through your child's needs and whether telehealth is a good fit. From there we arrange an initial appointment, send you a secure video link and a short list of anything to have ready, and set your child's goals together. You can get started by calling the clinic or contacting us through our website.
This page is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified health professional for advice tailored to your child's individual needs. Outcomes vary between individuals.