Welcome To Thriving Steps OT
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
If your child is finding handwriting, getting dressed, mealtimes or playing with other kids harder than it should be, you're not imagining it and it's something we can work on together.
I'm Liyana, a paediatric occupational therapist working with children and their families across Melbourne's northern, western and north-eastern suburbs.
I come to you: at home, at school or kinder, and out in the community, because that's where new skills are build.
Telehealth is available anywhere in Victoria.
I keep my caseload small, so your child works with the same therapist every session.
I'm currently taking a limited number of new families.
Big Title
Areas we support
Fine Motor Skills
Small hand and finger movements children need for everyday activities.
We support with:
• Handwriting
• Pencil control
• Drawing and colouring
• Cutting with scissors
• Hand strength
• Finger coordination
• Using classroom tools
• Buttons and zippers
• Shoelaces
Gross Motor Skills
Large body movements needed for play, movement and daily participation.
We support with:
• Balance
• Coordination
• Body awareness
• Ball skills
• Core strength
• Postural control
• Playground participation
• Motor planning
• Confidence with movement
Self Care Skills
Build independence in everyday personal routines.
We support with:
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Brushing teeth
• Washing hands
• Hair care
• Using cutlery
• Mealtime routines
• Packing belongings
• Morning and bedtime routines
Play and Social Participation
We support children to develop meaningful play skills and feel more confident when interacting with others.
• Turn taking and sharing
• Cooperative and imaginative play
• Joining group activities
• Building flexible play skills
• Understanding personal space
• Reading basic social cues
• Managing winning and losing
• Starting and maintaining play with peers
• Building friendships
• Developing confidence in social and community settings
About Liyana
Hi, I'm Liyana, paediatric Occupational Therapist.
I work with children who have difficulty with everyday activities such as:
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Handwriting, drawing, colouring and using scissors
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Getting dressed, buttons, zips and shoelaces
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Toileting, brushing teeth and washing hands
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Mealtimes, fussy eating and limited diets
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Using cutlery and sitting through a meal
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Morning and bedtime routines
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Sitting still, listening and staying focused
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Following instructions and finishing tasks
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Balance, coordination and bumping into things
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Confidence at the playground and with sport
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Playing and getting along with other children
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Taking turns, sharing and coping with losing
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Making and keeping friends
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Coping with noise, textures, clothing tags and busy places
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Big feelings, meltdowns and settling down again
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Packing their own bag and managing school routines
My job is to understand what's making it hard, then work with you and your child to build the skills and supports that help.
I've worked with many children and families, including children with Autism(level1,2 and 3), FASD, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, children who find movement and coordination tricky or who experience the world differently through their senses, and children who don't have a formal diagnosis at all.
You don't need a diagnosis or a referral to see me.
If something feels harder than it should be, that's enough.
I've also completed further training in feeding, so stressful mealtimes and limited diets are areas I support often.
Funding Options
Plan-managed:
Your plan manager pays my invoices. Nothing extra for you to do.
Self-managed
I invoice you directly and you claim it back through the NDIS portal.
Contact Us Today
We invite you to learn more about our services and how Thriving Steps OT can support your child’s journey.
Scroll down to complete the referral form and take the first step towards accessing support.