Paediatric Occupational Therapy to Support the Development and Wellbeing of Children and their Families.

About Kindred Paediatric Therapy

Kindred Paediatric Therapy was founded by me, Ellie Cassels, a paediatric occupational therapist and mum who has worked with children, families, and educators across Melbourne as an occupational therapist, behaviour therapist, and educator.

I support children and their caregivers to engage in daily occupations such as kinder and school based activities, family routines, mealtimes, play, and self care activities. I hold a bachelor’s degree with first class honours in occupational therapy and an advanced diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education. Further qualifications and memberships include in occupational performance coaching, learn to play, and the co-op approach as well as with AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Australia. I endeavour to practice in a way that is neuroaffirming, trauma informed, and culturally safe and am committed to providing therapy that deeply reflects the unique needs of each child and family I work with.

Kindred Paediatric Therapy provides services within our local Port Phillip Bay area including within Elwood, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Middle Park, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Brighton, and Elsternwick.

Occupational Therapy

Paediatric occupational therapists support children and their families to do the things they need and want to do. Kindred Paediatric Therapy provides therapy in the child’s natural environment: at home, kindergarten, child care, school, playground etc.

We provide support in three main areas:

Play and Socialising

Sensory play, parallel and onlooker play, imaginative / pretend play, cooperative / rules based play, understanding social cues, and friendships.

Childcare, Kinder, and School Skills

Gross motor skills (eg. throwing and catching, jumping and skipping, riding a bicycle, navigating stairs), fine motor skills (eg. drawing, cutting and pasting, handwriting, shoelaces), transitions, following instructions, attending, and group times.

Self Care

Dressing, meals, toileting, bathing.

Paediatric occupational therapists also work with families to understand and support sensory processing and emotional regulation: awareness of, expressing, integrating/making meaning of feelings and emotions.

Groups

Group programs to support school readiness, play, parenting, and fine motor skills are run throughout the year. Register your interest here.

Capacity Building for Childcares / Kindergartens, Schools, and Support Workers

Kindred Paediatric Therapy offers tailored capacity building for educators, teachers, and support workers including through various Federal and State Government funding streams such as School Readiness and Inclusion Development Funding.

Common themes we provide education and professional development on include:

Transitions and routines
Understanding and working with challenging behaviour
Emotional regulation
Play

To understand how we can support you or your organisation contact us here.

Fees and Rebates

Kindred Paediatric Therapy session fees are $193.99 per hour. As an individual / family accessing our services our fees can be funded through a number of government initiatives including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Medicare. Private health funds can also fund occupational therapy depending on your provider and level of care. If you are a business or organisation accessing our services our fees may be funded through various Federal and State government streams including School Readiness and Inclusion Development Funding.

Funding Options

NDIS

Kindred Paediatric offers therapy to self managed and plan managed NDIS participants. You can speak to your NDIS planner if you are uncertain which type of plan you have. To find out more about the NDIS you can visit their website at www.ndis.gov.au or call the NDIS Helpline on 1800 800 110 for more information.

Medicare

You can access rebates from Medicare for occupational therapy with a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP) or through the Helping Children with Autism program. You can obtain a CDMP or access the Helping Children with Autism program in consultation with your GP or Paediatrician. Please note the Medicare rebate does not cover the entire session fee and you will have some out of pocket expenses if accessing therapy in this way.

Private Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance, you may be eligible for a rebate from your private health fund for occupational therapy. Please contact your private health insurer to determine your eligibility. Please note the rebates provided by your private health insurer will not cover the entire session fee and you will have some out of pocket expenses if accessing therapy in this way.