Insights From Our Founder
Meet May Lee, founder and principal occupational therapist at Hope Kids OT, with over 17 years of clinical experience supporting children and adolescents across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Learn More About May →
Ready to discover more?
Here are some insights from the Hope Kids OT Team to help you nurture your child's development.
Hair Washing Meltdowns: The Sensory Reasons Behind Them and What Actually Helps
For some children, hair washing is a mild annoyance. For others, it can lead to crying, screaming, running away, freezing,...
Free Cantonese Envisage Parent Program: What Families Need to Know
When your child is developing in their own way, you may have questions about what comes next. You might want...
Food Jags in Children: Why Your Child Will Only Eat the Same Foods and What Actually Helps
Your child has eaten the same crackers for breakfast for six weeks. Their yoghurt has to be one brand. Chicken...
Hope Kids OT Wins Silver Stevie Award at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards
Hope Kids Occupational Therapy has been awarded a Silver Stevie Award in the Most Innovative Startup of the Year –...
Hope Kids OT Partnership with Envisage
Hope Kids Occupational Therapy has become an official Victorian delivery partner for Envisage Families, Australia’s national evidence-based parent support program....
Hope Kids OT Collaboration with b.box for Kids
Hope Kids Occupational Therapy has partnered with global parenting brand b.box for kids on two newly released product ranges....
Why Does My Child Hate Having Their Nails Cut? Understanding Tactile Sensitivity
Nail trimming can be a significant source of distress for some children and their families. Parents may notice that their...
What Is Paediatric Occupational Therapy? A Guide for Chinese-Speaking Families in Melbourne
If a teacher, doctor or another parent has mentioned occupational therapy, you may have questions. What is paediatric occupational therapy,...
What Is the SOS Approach to Feeding? A Parent Guide
When your child eats only a small range of foods, refuses certain textures or becomes distressed at meals, everyday eating...
Is It Sensory? When Your Child Struggles With Everyday Self-Care Tasks
Tears over socks, panic during hair washing, refusal at nail-cutting time — these everyday battles are often sensory, not behavioural....
Finding a Paediatric OT Who Understands Your Family: A Guide for Mandarin and Cantonese-Speaking Families in Melbourne
Explaining your child’s daily routines and needs in a second language isn’t easy. This guide helps Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking families...
When Picky Eating Is More Than Fussy: Signs Your Child May Need Feeding Therapy
Some picky eating is just a phase, but food jags, mealtime meltdowns and sensory struggles can signal something more. Here’s...
Pencil Grip Development: Stages, When to Worry and OT Exercises That Help
Many parents first notice handwriting concerns during kinder, Prep, or the early primary school years. A teacher might mention that...
NDIS Goals for Children: OT-Friendly Examples by Age and School Participation
Writing or updating an NDIS plan can feel heavy when you are trying to explain your child’s daily life in...
NDIS Plan Review: OT Report Checklist, Timelines and What to Book First
If your child’s NDIS plan review is coming up in the next 60 to 90 days, it is normal to...
Scissor Skills for Kids: Milestones, Common Problems and OT-Friendly Activities
Learning to use scissors is a big step for many young children. It looks simple from the outside, but cutting...
Heavy Work Activities for Kids: Proprioceptive Input Ideas (Home + Classroom)
Many children do better when their day includes movement that helps them feel organised in their body. That is where...
Sensory Diet for Kids: Examples for Home and School (with a Simple Printable Plan)
Many parents notice their child becomes overwhelmed, restless or shut down during everyday routines. Mornings often feel rushed, school transitions...
Executive Function Skills in Kids: Signs, School Supports, and OT Strategies That Help
Executive function skills shape how children plan, organise and manage emotions at school and home. This guide explains common signs...
School Readiness Checklist for Prep (Melbourne): Skills, Milestones, and When OT Helps
Starting Prep soon? This school readiness checklist explains key skills, milestones, and how occupational therapy can support a smooth transition...
What Is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty that affects handwriting and written expression. Learn the signs, types of dysgraphia, assessment options and...
Toileting Readiness: Knowing When Your Child Is Ready
Toileting readiness is about more than age. Learn the physical, sensory, emotional and communication signs that show when your child...
Why Parent Coaching Matters in Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Parent coaching is a core part of paediatric occupational therapy. This article explains how coaching supports children’s development by building...
Attention Span Milestones
Pretend play is one of the most exciting aspects of childhood, where imagination runs wild and children explore the world...
Hope Kids OT Named Telstra Best of Business State Finalist
Hope Kids OT is incredibly honoured to be recognised as a Victorian State Finalist in two categories of the 2025...
Hope Kids OT Wins at the 2025 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards
We are thrilled to share that Hope Kids OT has been named the national winner in the Professional Medical Services category at the 2025 Australian...
Gross Motor Skills for School Readiness: What Really Matters for Prep
Strong gross motor skills help children feel confident, focused, and ready for school. This guide explains the essential skills for...
What Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Include?
A functional capacity assessment helps children and teens understand their strengths, challenges, and support needs in daily life. Discover what’s...
What to Expect During Your Child’s Occupational Therapy Assessment
An occupational therapy assessment is a key step in understanding your child’s needs and strengths. This guide explains what happens...
How Occupational Therapy Promotes Handwriting Skills
Occupational therapy helps children build strong, confident handwriting through fine motor skill development, better grip, and sensory coordination....
Preparing Your Child for School: Key Steps for Readiness
Help your child feel ready for school with expert tips and strategies from Hope Kids OT....
How to Achieve a Smooth and Secure Telehealth Experience
Set your child up for a smooth, secure telehealth session with these simple tips from Hope Kids OT....
Hosting the 2025 Sensory In Action Workshop Melbourne
Hope Kids OT proudly hosted Melbourne’s Sensory in Action workshop, bridging theory and practice for dyspraxia and sensory processing....
Turning Chores into Opportunities: An OT’s Guide
Transform everyday household tasks into powerful learning opportunities that build motor skills, cognitive abilities, and confidence in children....
Group Occupational Therapy Sessions for Kids
Build social skills and confidence through fun, peer-based occupational therapy sessions at Hope Kids OT....
Why AI Can’t Replace Human Interactions in Kids’ Occupational Therapy
In a world where artificial intelligence is becoming a central part of many industries, it’s natural to ask: Can AI...
Why Every Child Can Benefit from Occupational Therapy
Children develop in their own time and in their own way. While some may have diagnosed needs, many others can...
Understanding Sensory Sensitive Behaviour in Children
What does it mean when a child is highly sensitive to sensory input? Children engage with the world through their...
Understanding Low Registration Sensory Behaviour in Children
Why do some children seem to be unbothered or slow to react to sensory input? Every child experiences and reacts...
Understanding Sensory Avoidance Behaviour in Children
Children experience the world through their senses—touch, sound, smell, taste, and movement....
Understanding Sensory Seeking Behaviour in Children
Children explore the world through their senses, but for some, the need for sensory input goes beyond typical exploration. Sensory-seeking...
What are Neurodiversity Affirming Practices
Neurodiversity-affirming approach recognises and celebrates the natural diversity of human brains and cognitive functioning....
What is Global Development Delay
Global Developmental Delay (GDD) refers to a significant delay in two or more areas of development as compared to peers...
What is Pathological Demand Avoidance
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is recognised as a type of profile within the autism spectrum that involves an extreme avoidance...
How to Help Your Kids Manage the Holidays
The holiday season often brings opportunities to travel, visit loved ones, and explore new places....
Sensory Processing During the Holiday Period
The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for children with sensory processing challenges, it...
Signs Your Child has Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a condition that affects a child’s ability to plan and execute physical movements....
Signs Your Child has Dyslexia
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences and affects how children process language. This can impact their ability...
What are Gross Motor Skills in Child Development
Gross motor skills in child development refer to the large muscle movements that enable children to perform essential activities such...
What are Fine Motor Skills in Child Development
Fine motor skills in child development refer to the small, precise movements of the hands and fingers that allow children...
Pretend Play Milestones Every Parent Should Know & When to Seek Help
Pretend play is one of the most exciting aspects of childhood, where imagination runs wild and children explore the world...
Squish, Squeeze, and Strengthen: Fun Theraputty Exercises for Fine Motor and Handwriting Skills
As Paediatric Occupational Therapists, we know how important it is for kids to develop fine motor skills to support everyday...
Vestibular Sensory System Part 2
Supporting your child’s vestibular development can make a big difference in their balance, coordination and sensory development....
Vestibular Sensory System Part 1
Have you ever wondered why your child might be clumsy, struggle with coordination, or seem overly energetic? The answer could...
My Child Seems to Be Sitting in the W Position—Should I Be Concerned?
As parents, you may have noticed your child sitting in a position where their bottom is on the floor, knees...
Understanding Motor Planning, Praxis, and Dyspraxia
If you’ve been informed by health professionals that your child has difficulties with motor planning, praxis, or dyspraxia, you might...
Finding the Right Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service for Your Child
How do you find the right paediatric occupational therapy service? We’ll guide you through the essential steps to help you...
Understanding Paediatric Occupational Therapy: A Pathway to Children’s Well-being
Paediatric Occupational Therapy, often abbreviated as OT, is a branch of therapy that focuses on helping children develop the skills...
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