Skills For Development Pty Ltd

Get to know Skills For Development Pty Ltd

From Skills For Development Pty Ltd's website.

• Our approach

  Sessions at Skills for Development are relaxed, playful and interactive, focused on establishing a safe and positive connection with your child so they feel empowered to show their strengths and develop new skills. The occupational therapist draws on a range of specialised approaches including Sensory Integration, DIR Floortime, and the Alert Program, tailored to your child's needs. Sessions support all the activities that occupy your child's day—from play and socialisation to self-care, fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing and emotional regulation. The goal is to help your child feel confident, safe and capable in their many roles as a sibling, friend, playmate and student, working towards greater independence and autonomy in everyday life.

• Working with families

  Communication with parents and carers is central to the approach at Skills for Development. Families are invited to contact the therapist directly by phone or email to discuss whether the service is a good fit and ask questions. Initial and progress reports are provided to keep parents informed of their child's development. The therapist works in partnership with families through ongoing therapy planning and can assist with home modifications, equipment prescription and NDIS applications to support the child's goals across all environments.

• Meet the team

  Rachel is the occupational therapist at Skills for Development, holding a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland (graduated 2000) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Ayres' Sensory Integration. She has nearly two decades of paediatric experience and has completed extensive additional training including DIR Floortime, SOS Feeding Program, the Alert Program, Interoception, Praxis, and the ConTigo Approach. She works mobile therapy services part-time while balancing family life.

• Your first visit

  The first appointment begins with an initial screening, observation and assessment to understand your child's strengths, needs and goals. A detailed initial report is then provided to outline findings and recommendations. The occupational therapist takes time to establish a safe and positive connection with your child during this process, creating a relaxed environment where they feel comfortable showing what they can do. This initial assessment forms the foundation for ongoing therapy planning and helps determine whether the service is a good fit for your family's needs.