We know that starting therapy can feel like a big step — for both children and their families.
Whether you’re feeling excited, uncertain, or somewhere in between, you’re not alone. This FAQ section is here to answer your most common questions, ease any worries, and help you feel confident and supported as you begin your journey with us.
We’re here to walk alongside you — every step of the way.
FAQs
Getting Started
Paediatric Occupational Therapy helps children develop the skills they need for everyday activities, such as dressing, eating, playing, and learning. At Upside Down Therapy, we focus on supporting your child’s sensory, motor, emotional, and social development using play-based, sensory-informed approaches.
If your child struggles with tasks like dressing, using utensils, handwriting, managing emotions, or interacting with others, Occupational Therapy might be helpful. We offer an initial Journey Planning Session to assess your child’s strengths and challenges, helping us tailor a personalised approach.
Start by completing our online booking form, and a team member will contact you to schedule your Journey Planning Session. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your child receives the support they need.
No referral is needed to get started with us! You can contact us directly by completing our online booking form or making an inquiry. However, if you’re planning to claim a Medicare rebate (such as through a Chronic Disease Management Plan), a referral from your GP will be required. Let us know if you’re unsure—we’re happy to guide you through the process.
Once you make a booking, you’ll be sent a welcome pack and a telehealth link (if applicable) for your first appointment. The welcome pack will ask for information about your child, including any specific concerns and goals you may have. Please complete and return the forms before your appointment to help us prepare and make the most of your session.
We also encourage you to send us any relevant medical or therapy reports, and your child’s NDIS plan (if applicable). This information helps us tailor the session to your child’s unique needs and ensures a smooth and supportive start to your therapy journey.
Upside Down Therapy is located at 9 South Pine Road in Alderley, Brisbane. Our clinic is fully wheelchair accessible, pram-friendly, and equipped with baby changing facilities to ensure a welcoming environment for all families. We also offer onsite parking for your convenience. For those who are unable to attend in person, we offer mobile therapy services, depending on availability.
What to Expect
Our 50-minute therapy sessions are fun and engaging, tailored to your child’s needs. Using a play-based approach, we focus on activities like obstacle courses, movement, and sensory play to build key skills. Sessions are designed to support emotional, social, and motor development, while promoting connection and learning.
The length of therapy varies depending on your child’s individual goals and progress. We regularly review and adjust the therapy plan to ensure it continues to meet your child’s evolving needs.
Each session is personalised and engaging, designed to meet your child’s unique developmental needs. We work with your child’s interests to create a session plan that both supports our therapy goals and keeps them engaged. Activities may include:
- Fine motor tasks (e.g., using scissors, tweezer work, threading beads)
- Sensory exploration (e.g., swinging, obstacle courses, messy play)
- Social interactions (e.g., turn-taking, role-playing)
- Daily living skills (e.g., toileting, feeding)
We believe in the power of play and child-led learning, so each session is focused on building skills in a fun, comfortable environment. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to be actively involved, ensuring that strategies can be used at home to further support your child’s development.
Yes, we offer parent support sessions to provide guidance, reassurance, and practical strategies for managing your child’s development at home. We understand that the journey can feel overwhelming at times, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need a quick check-in or a longer discussion, you can use our online booking form to schedule a session. We take a compassionate, collaborative approach, working together with families to create the best possible outcomes for your child. Book here.
Fees & Funding
Our 70-minute session fee is $232.79. This includes:
- 50 minutes of one-on-one therapy with your child, including transition time in and out of our sensory-affirming spaces and a brief session overview with the caregiver
- 20 minutes of non-contact time for clinical notes, goal-directed planning, case management, and follow-up correspondence
Please note that this full session fee is claimable under NDIS plans from your child’s Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget.
- NDIS: We welcome clients using Self-Managed and Plan-Managed NDIS plans. Let your therapist know when scheduling your first appointment, and we’ll review your child’s NDIS plan to create a tailored therapy program.
- Private Health: Many private health funds cover Occupational Therapy under Extras Cover. Contact your health fund directly to confirm coverage.
- Medicare Rebates: For children with complex needs, you may be eligible for Medicare-rebated sessions. Please secure a referral from your GP or Paediatrician and send the completed letter to us prior to your first session.
- Private Clients: All sessions are to be paid on the day using our onsite EFTPOS facility. We kindly ask that payment is finalised at the time of your appointment to help keep things running smoothly for our families and team.
At Upside Down Therapy, we put a great deal of care and time into preparing for each session to ensure your child receives the best possible support. We also have many families on our waitlist or seeking additional help, and your notice allows us to offer them the opportunity for support.
We kindly ask for at least 48 hours’ (2 business days) notice if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. This gives us time to adjust and offer the appointment slot to another family.
- If you cancel or reschedule with more than 48 hours’ notice (2 business days), there is no charge.
- If you cancel within 48 hours (2 business days) or do not attend your appointment (a no-show), the full session fee will apply.
- These fees are covered under your NDIS therapy funding (late cancellation and no-show policies are part of the NDIS price guide).
- Please note that Medicare rebates and private health fund benefits do not apply to cancellation fees or non-face-to-face services.
We completely understand that sometimes, life happens unexpectedly. If you are unable to attend, to avoid late cancellation charges, we can offer flexible options including:
- Changing your appointment to telehealth,
- Arranging a parent education session, or
- Converting your session to a resource-building session (where your therapist will create tailored resources to support your child at home or school).
(Please note: Medicare rebates are not available for resource-building or indirect services.)
We truly don’t want to charge you for missed appointments — we would much rather provide you and your family with meaningful support. All you need to do is let us know as early as possible.
If you’re looking to access NDIS support through The Benevolent Society or Carers Queensland, reach out to The Benevolent Society or Carers Queensland, who are both registered NDIS providers. They can assist in guiding you through the process and help you understand your options for support. You can contact them directly via phone or their website.
We can also assist you throughout this process by helping you understand how to make the most of your NDIS funding for therapy and other services. Feel free to get in touch if you need guidance on accessing services or navigating your NDIS plan.
You can find more information here:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/early-childhood-approach-children-younger-9
Support for Neurodivergent Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition affecting how a person communicates, processes sensory information, and interacts with others. Each child with autism is unique, with varying strengths and challenges. At Upside Down Therapy, we offer tailored Occupational Therapy to help your child build essential life skills, manage sensory sensitivities, and improve communication in a fun and supportive environment.
Occupational Therapy can significantly support children with autism by helping them develop independence in daily tasks. OT helps with:
- Improving fine motor skills (e.g., using a pencil or dressing)
- Supporting emotional regulation and social interactions
- Developing sensory coping strategies
- Creating daily routines for self-care, eating, and sleeping
We work closely with both parents and children to create a personalized therapy plan for success at home, school, and socially.
Sensory processing refers to how your child’s brain interprets sensory information like touch, sound, and sight. Children with sensory processing differences may be overly sensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to sensory stimuli, which can lead to overwhelming experiences or avoidance behaviors.
Our therapists assess your child’s sensory needs and develop strategies to help them manage sensory challenges, improving their overall well-being.