Move Play Grow Occupational Therapy

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Move Play Grow Occupational Therapy

Move Play Grow OT provides paediatric occupational therapy services to children aged 0-18 years old who present with difficulties in everyday activities.

05/09/2025

Today we say a big (and emotional) goodbye to our beautiful Jess as she begins her maternity leave 💕 Jess, you have been the heart of our admin team (keeping everything running smoothly, welcoming families with warmth and always brightening our day).

We are going to miss you so much, but we are beyond excited for this next chapter as you prepare to meet your precious little one. 🌸✨

29/08/2025

Play is never ‘just play.’ It is how children learn, problem-solve, build resilience, connect with others and make sense of the world.

As occupational therapists, we know that every block tower, puzzle piece, swing and pretend game is a stepping stone to lifelong skills.

Play is not a break from learning… play is learning.

25/07/2025

MEET THE TEAM - PAULINA

We asked our team a series of questions so you can get to know them more!

1. What inspired you to become an occupational therapist?
- I wanted to work in health so I could help people. But I didn’t even know what OT was when I started studying it lol

2. What’s your favorite part of working with children? - It’s rewarding

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new graduate OTs?
-Adapting to full time OT work can be mentally and emotionally draining. Make sure to take good care of yourself. It’s okay to set boundaries and take breaks. Find a good work-life balance to avoid burnout, prioritising activities that you enjoy outside of work.

4. What’s your go-to self-care activity after a long day?
- Soccer coaching and fishing (if weather permits), watching soccer, bbq videos and fishing on YouTube, cooking, mowing the lawn & spending time with people that mean the most to me.

5. If you could have coffee with any OT or child development expert, who would it be?
- Maria so she can pay for my coffee on the business card

6. What’s one book, podcast, or resource every OT should check out?
- Any Kim Barthel course

7. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
- I enjoy making South American barbecues

8. Favourite food?
- A good quality wood fired pizza, hot chips & my mum’s steak & rice

9. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about occupational therapy?
- That we look at more than just handwriting & fine motor skills!

15/07/2025

7 OT-Recommended Books for Kids 📚

Each one supports emotional regulation, body awareness, or confidence in a child-friendly way and a bonus, they’re all found at 🙌
⠀
Swipe through to see why they made the list and how they can support your little one’s development.

1. The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be
A beautiful reminder that we all bring something unique to the world, encouraging acceptance and self-worth.

2. Boss of Your Own Body
Empowers kids to understand body autonomy and consent in a way that’s easy and respectful.

3. You Can Do Hard Things
Reassures children that challenges won’t last forever and builds confidence to keep going when things get tough.

4. How Do I Feel?
A practical tool for building emotional language and understanding, perfect for emotional connection between kids and grown-ups.

5. Let It Flow
Teaches safe and healthy ways to release big emotions and regulate feelings without shame.

6. Don’t Fall for the Trick
Breaks down gender stereotypes and empowers children to be themselves while promoting fairness and equality.

7. Brilliant Body
An engaging, interactive introduction to the human body that supports body awareness through fun, factual play.

13/07/2025

Sound healing is a gentle, sensory-rich practice that uses the vibrations and tones of instruments like singing bowls to calm the nervous system, enhance focus and support emotional regulation.

Nina is a mum of three with a background in early childhood education. With her calming presence and natural warmth, she creates nurturing environments where children feel safe, seen and supported. Through sound healing, Nina helps little ones connect with their senses, regulate their emotions and find moments of calm in a busy world.

Nina’s sessions offer little ones a space to slow down, feel safe and reconnect with themselves (helping to reduce anxiety, improve mood and foster inner calm from an early age).

She will be offering one on one and group based sessions at Move Play Grow OT where we are so excited to bring this incredible service to you.

Inbox Nina or us to find out more!

11/07/2025

Swipe through to learn the signs your therapist truly gets it. A neurodiversity affirming therapist meets your child where they are, not where someone thinks they should be.

07/07/2025

Our hearts are so full!💕

A massive congratulations to our beautiful therapist Driscilla and her new hubby Julian, who tied the knot this past weekend! 💍

Driscilla looked absolutely stunning and the love between these two was truly something special.

03/07/2025

MEET THE TEAM - ISABELLA

(We asked our team a series of questions so you can get to know them more!

1. What inspired you to become an occupational therapist?
I always wanted to have a career that involved working with others and within the healthcare industry! I also always had a passion and dream to work with children!

2. What’s your favorite part of working with children?
I adore their bubbly personalities and fun nature, it makes everyday different and so much fun! It’s also very rewarding to see them progress with their goals.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new graduate OTs?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Take every opportunity to learn and grow within yourself.

4. What’s your go-to self-care activity after a long day?
A Pilates class 🧘🏽‍♀️

5. If you could have coffee with any OT or child development expert, who would it be?
Kim Barthel! I would love to be amongst her wisdom and knowledge in person!

6. What’s one book, podcast, or resource every OT should check out?
Pop Culture Parenting by Dr Billy Garvey! I highly recommend for all OTs, parents, teachers or anyone who works with children!

7. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I was an SLSO at a local support unit whilst studying at uni! I loved it ☺️

8. Favourite food?
Olives 🫒

9. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about occupational therapy?
That OTs are here to help families and children along their journey of development! We’re here for all the wins and losses and to show our support and guidance every step of the way.

02/07/2025

All play is valid. It’s appropriate. It’s enough.

Just because play doesn’t look how we expect it to, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. If it’s child-led, meaningful and brings joy, why should it be changed?

OT’s, are here to challenge outdated play goals and embrace all styles of play. We support neurodiversity, honour individuality and believe every child deserves to play in the way that feels safest and most natural to them.

18/06/2025

“Be quiet.” It slips out so easily… especially when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or just craving a moment of peace.
 But to a child, those two words can land like: “My voice doesn’t matter.” “I’m too much.”
“What I have to say is not important”

Their words are their way of making sense of the world and connecting with us. Imagine the damage it can cause to a child’s self-worth as they grow into teens and young adults.
 Here’s some tips to guide instead of shut down. Because every little voice deserves to feel heard.

📌 Save this post as your gentle reminder next time the noise gets loud.

17/06/2025

The phrase “You get what you get and you don’t get upset” is often used with good intentions to teach children patience and acceptance. But in reality, it can send the message that their feelings aren’t valid or that expressing emotions is wrong.

Disappointment is a natural part of life, and instead of dismissing it, we can help kids learn how to navigate it in a healthy way. Instead of shutting emotions down, we can say, “I see you’re feeling disappointed. It’s okay to feel that way! Let’s take a deep breath and figure out what we can do next.”

This approach builds emotional regulation skills, resilience and trust allowing kids to feel seen and supported rather than silenced.

Teaching children that all feelings are okay and that what truly matters is how we handle them.

12/06/2025

MEET THE TEAM - HOLLY

(We asked our team a series of questions so you can get to know them more!

‌ 1. What inspired you to become an occupational therapist?
I have always wanted to help people and work in the healthcare industry. I absolutely hate needles so I knew being a doctor or a nurse was out of the question, so I read about OT and I loved how versatile it was and the impact we have on people’s lives so I chose it!

2. What’s your favorite part of working with children?
I love watching them grow and learn new things. I also love the hilarious stories they always tell.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new graduate OTs?
I am a new grad myself and one thing I remind myself is that it is okay to make mistakes or to not know the answers. You are still learning, you are new to industry, it’s okay! And to also remember to be confident in yourself, you just did 4 years of learning you are ready for this!

4. What’s your go-to self-care activity after a long day?
A cup of tea in hand and my favourite show on.

5. If you could have coffee with any OT or child development expert, who would it be?
If I could go back in time, it would be Gen Jereb. I am completing her “traffic jam in my brain course” and she was just so knowledgeable and just an amazing OT!

6. What’s one book, podcast, or resource every OT should check out?
Again the traffic jam in my brain course! It has taught me so much about sensory processing and has influenced my practice!

7. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I have been playing hockey for 14 years! I have also played for NSW Hockey!

8. Favourite food?
I have celiac disease so this question gets difficult! But if I had to pick it would be GF tacos and burritos!

9. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about occupational therapy?
We are here to help you achieve and work towards goals in your everyday life whether this is handwriting, colouring, playing, dressing, toileting, literally ANYTHING!

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:30
Thursday	08:00 - 17:30
Friday	08:00 - 17:30
Saturday	09:00 - 15:00

Website

http://www.moveplaygrowot.com.au/

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What we do

Move Play Grow OT was developed in 2017 in response to the growing need for private occupational therapy services in Sydney’s South-West due to the development of various new suburbs within the MacArthur region.

Move Play Grow OT provides paediatric occupational therapy services to children aged 0-18 years old who present with difficulties in the following areas:

Sensory integration

Gross motor skills, strength and co-ordination

Handwriting and fine motor skills

Social and play skills

Activities of daily living including self-care skills

Attention and concentration

Problem solving

Visual perception skills

Organisational skills

Speech and language skills

Managing emotions

Our Gledswood Hills Centre is complete with two large, fully equipped multisensory gyms with a rock-climbing wall, swings, ball pit, trampoline, balance beam and plenty of space for children to move, play and grow. The centre also contains a third therapy room for children who prefer a smaller therapy space or to undergo an assessment. Move Play Grow OT offers speech therapy services.