Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy provides services for independent living assessments and assistance for adults and children.

Occupational Therapists help children to develop skills for everyday life in areas including:

  • Self care- bathing, dressing, eating/ feeding, toileting.
  • Play and leisure
  • School participation- handwriting, cutting skills, access to school facilities.
Occupational Therapy at Monash Children’s provides an acute inpatient and outpatient service. The Occupational Therapists work as part of your health care team alongside physiotherapists, speech therapists, nursing and medical staff.

Acute Occupational Therapy Service

The acute inpatient service receives referrals from Newborn Services, Wards 41 North and 42 North, Child Cancer Centre. The referrals come from allied health and medical professionals. Therapy includes:

  • Assessment of occupational performance and how this impacts of daily life.
  • Education regarding impact of injury and illness on activities of daily living.
  • Provision of equipment to facilitate safe discharge from hospital.
  • Advice and recommendations regarding the safe return to home and school.

Outpatient Occupational Therapy Service

The outpatient service receives referrals from medical or allied health professionals. Therapy provides:

  • Assessment and recommendations regarding the child’s development.
  • Assessment and recommendations can be for both home and school.
  • Skills training including handwriting, scissor skills, dressing.
  • Input into Specialist Clinics including Spina Bifida, Fredericks Ataxia, Rheumatology, Paediatric Orthopedics.
  • Young Adult Transition Service

Eligibility

Children aged 0-12 who show difficulties in one or more of the following areas:
  • fine motor skills
  • gross motor skills
  • independence in home / kindergarten / school (including sensory integration problems)
  • complex handwriting difficulties

Referrals

  • Referrals can be made through our information and appointment service
  • 8768 5147 Doveton, Cranbourne, Berwick, Pakenham and Cockatoo
  • 8558 9080 Springvale and Dandenong
  • 8587 0192 or 9583 6471 Kingston/Bayside

Waiting Period

The outpatient service may have a waiting period and the Occupational Therapist will advise once the child has been referred.

Costs

A fee may be charged for the service or for the loan of equipment, and your therapist will advise on appointment, or during your child’s stay in hospital.

Limit to Fees

There is a limit on the fees you pay in any one fortnight. If you receive three services from us in one fortnight, you will not pay for further services in that fortnight, except medical services.

Contact

Monash Medical Centre,
Locked Bag 29, Clayton 3168
Telephone: 03 95942270
Facsimile: 03 9594 6444