Fantastic Fingers

I provide occupational therapy for children ages 3 to 6 years (some up to 8 years) on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. I love to support families to see changes in their children with an evidence-based approach which calms, organises, and matures the brain and body. Therapy sessions can be at home or at your child's early learning centre or school (by arrangement).

I have created a number of therapy resources, and I run workshops for parents, teachers, and other OTs.

To help you explore my services, see the short descriptions with links to more detailed information. Please contact me if you would like to make a booking, require further information or have a particular need that you would like to discuss.

Occupational Therapy for your child

Regulation Pathway - 5 OT sessions

Effective rhythmic movements, and specific body-based activities, over time, calm your child's nervous system, so they can better regulate their emotions, experience less anxiety, frustration, aggression & meltdowns.

In 5 sessions, we identify the issues, explore additional causes, and partner together to implement your home program. See a sample rhythmic movement video and explanation.

Regulation & Integration Pathway - 10 OT sessions plus

Your child may have underlying neuro-sensory-motor immaturities from retained primitive reflexes contributing to developmental challenges e.g. constant movement, poor focus, slumped posture, immature pencil grip, sensitivities to noise, touch or bright lights, difficulty with transitions, emotional outbursts, speech and language delays etc.

We start with an assessment, report, and feedback. Then set goals for a block of weekly OT sessions over 10 weeks. This includes a home program which is vital to achieve our goals as quickly as possible. A further block/s of therapy may be needed after a review of progress.

See this checklist of concerns linked to retained primitive reflexes, and a 2 page handout with commonly retained primitive reflexes.

Fine Motor Pathway 4 to 6 years - 10 OT sessions

Your child may need extra help with their fine motor skill development in order to cope with the demands of Prep. We have a lot of success using targeted, fun activities with a biomechanical approach.

We may begin with a fine motor screen, I provide you with a summary of my findings, and we choose which of my fine motor resources is best for your child. Therapy is weekly for 10 weeks, and you do home activities too. We can also introduce fun pre-writing activities and letter formations if your child is ready for this.

See a fine motor activity check you can do at home quickly with your child.

This checklist also has fine motor issues that impact on success at school.

Contact Ingrid

Other Occupational Therapy services

OT Screens at Early Learning Centres

I offer 2 types of screens both organised with ELC staff where parents choose to pay for their child to be screened. Each screen costs $50 and takes about 15 minutes. I provide written and audio feedback by email. Parents are also given free access by me to a home program resource.

1. Neurodevelopmental OT Screen - ages 3 to 6 years

The purpose is to see if a child needs an OT home program using my free resource Developmental Movement Adventures, and/or further OT assessment and therapy. As I play with each child, I check whether they have some active primitive reflexes affecting their emotional regulation, postural control, and participation.

2. Fine Motor Screen - ages 4 to 6 years

As a large part of the school day is spent doing fine motor activities, the goal of this screen is to identify if a child needs extra fine motor help using my free resource 20 Top Fine Motor Activities or other assistance.

OT Groups & Training at Early Learning Centres or Schools

I have extensive experience running play-based groups and whole class activities where staff can assist, and acquire new activities and skills. Funding options include Kindy Uplift or PD budgets for either option.

1. Fantastic Fingers® Songs and Activities - 4 to 6 years

These are based on my early learning resource Songs & Games for Fantastic Fingers®. I tailor training and practical sessions to suit need and budget. The eBook, song tracks and videos are included for ongoing use.

See testimonials on this resource.

2. Developmental Movement Adventures - 3 to 5 years

Some of the 16 regulation and gross motor activities are suitable for groups, and others for the whole class. I can run small groups or train staff on how to do the activities confidently for transitions and group times.

3. Parent Workshops - who have children ages 3 to 6 years

Calmer Kids Regulation Workshop sets the foundation for emotional regulation with practical activities
Developmental Movement Adventures Workshop helps parents understand how active Primitive reflexes affect development and practical activities to help
20 Terrific Activities to Prepare Your Child for School gives parents fun, user-friendly and low cost ideas for fine motor and prewriting skills

Fine motor activities

& early learning

my Fantastic Fingers®