Early Links OT

Get to know Early Links OT

From Early Links OT's website.

• Our approach

  Early Links delivers occupational therapy through an evidence-based, client-centred, goal-oriented approach focused on making daily life easier. Therapists work with you to discover what works for your situation and build the abilities needed for everyday skills, drawing on knowledge of postural stability, movement patterns, sensory processing, self-regulation, play, attention and executive functions. Sessions address underlying abilities that support higher-level skills, sometimes requiring fewer expectations or more supports to enable new learning and practice. The team is highly engaged in learning and receives regular supervision to develop clinical skills, and you'll receive clear explanations during sessions about what the therapist is observing and thinking.

• Meet the team

  Early Links is led by Jacky Peile, the managing clinical director who has guided the team since 2010. The team consists of registered occupational therapists who have received additional training in trauma, autism, sensory integration, therapeutic listening, play, emotional regulation, motor development, soft tissue and craniosacral techniques, and fussy eating. There is also a team of therapy assistants who are currently studying occupational therapy at various universities across NSW. The team is described as passionate people who are continually supported through learning and supervision to develop the skills needed to help clients improve performance and achieve their goals.

• Your first visit

  Your initial appointment begins with your occupational therapist gathering information and providing explanations about what they're observing and thinking during the session. Within the following week, they may contact you to discuss additional questions that help them create an individualised therapy plan and summary letter. Your goals will be documented together, and the therapist will explain how capacity building, supports, and changes to routines or expectations may help improve your child's engagement, participation, independence and achievement. You'll also receive information about how the occupational therapy approach works and which strategies best match your family's situation.