Sensory Processing Occupational Therapy in Kogarah, Sydney
Sensory-focused occupational therapy at our Kogarah clinic — for families across St George and the Sutherland Shire.
Square One Therapy Hub is a paediatric occupational therapy clinic in Kogarah with dedicated sensory and gross motor spaces, working with children from Hurstville, Rockdale, Bexley, Carlton, Allawah and across the Sutherland Shire.
Some children flinch at loud noises. Some seek out spinning, jumping and crashing. Some can't tolerate the seam of a sock or the smell of certain foods. Some can sit through a fire alarm without noticing.
Sensory processing differences are real, common, and they shape almost every part of a child's day — from getting dressed in the morning to focusing in class to winding down at bedtime. Occupational therapy can help.
Sensory feedback also shapes everyday school tasks like writing — our OTs explain how pencil pressure and body awareness show up in messy handwriting and when it's worth seeing an occupational therapist.
Signs sensory processing may be worth exploring
- Strong reactions to noise, light, smell, taste or touch
- Avoiding messy play, certain food textures or clothing seams
- Seeking constant movement — jumping, crashing, spinning
- Trouble settling at bedtime or transitioning between activities
- Meltdowns at the end of the school day
- Appearing unaware of pain, temperature or body position
- Difficulty staying focused in busy environments
How we help
- Comprehensive sensory profile assessment
- Individualised sensory diet and regulation plan
- Strategies for home, school and transitions
- Parent coaching so you feel confident responding in the moment
- Liaison with teachers so school environments are set up to support your child
- Coordination with speech therapy where communication is also affected
What is sensory processing?
Sensory processing is how the brain takes in information from all the senses — sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement and body awareness — and organises it into a response. When this system works smoothly, we barely notice it.
When it doesn't, children may feel overwhelmed or under-stimulated, and behaviours like meltdowns, avoidance, fidgeting, picky eating or seeking constant movement can be the result.
How OT helps
Our OTs assess your child's sensory profile — what their nervous system finds easy, hard, soothing or overwhelming — and build a programme that helps them participate more comfortably in the activities that matter to them.
That might mean sensory breaks built into the school day, a regulation toolkit for big emotions, calming strategies for bedtime, or graded exposure to foods and textures over time.
Working with home and school across St George
Strategies only work if they live where your child does. We coach parents, share resources with teachers, and design home programmes that fit your family's reality — not generic worksheets.
Home, school and preschool visits are available across the St George region and the Sutherland Shire by arrangement once your child is on caseload, so sensory strategies can be set up in the environments where they matter most.
How our team supports this
Occupational Therapy
Everyday skills — dressing, handwriting, play, coping with change — built around what your child wants to do.
Explore serviceSpeech Therapy
Speech pathology for clearer speech, understanding language, and getting thoughts into words.
Explore serviceSchool Readiness Assessments
A multidisciplinary look at your child's academic, motor, social and self-care skills before they start Kindergarten — using the Bracken (BSRA-4) and PDMS-3.
Explore serviceCommon questions from families
Where is your sensory OT clinic and which areas do you cover?
We are at 4 Short Street, Kogarah, with free on-site parking and a five-minute walk from Kogarah station. Families come to us from across St George — Hurstville, Rockdale, Bexley, Carlton, Allawah — and from the Sutherland Shire.
Do I need a referral to book sensory OT?
No. You can book directly. A GP referral is only needed if you want to claim under a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan.
How does NDIS funding work for sensory OT?
Sensory-focused OT usually sits under Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants.
Is sensory processing disorder a recognised diagnosis?
Sensory processing differences are clinically well-recognised and frequently co-occur with autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. You don't need a formal diagnosis to access OT support — we work with the profile, not the label.
Will my child have to do scary or uncomfortable things?
No. We work at your child's pace, respect their nervous system and build trust before introducing anything challenging. Therapy should feel safe and enjoyable.
How long does therapy usually take?
It depends on your child's goals. Some families come for a short block of 6–10 sessions to establish strategies; others benefit from longer-term support, especially where sensory needs interact with school participation.
Can sensory work be combined with speech or physio?
Yes — and often should be. Many children benefit from speech support for communication alongside OT for sensory and regulation needs, or from physio for postural strength alongside sensory regulation work.
Is this funded under NDIS?
Yes — sensory-focused OT falls under Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living in most plans. We also accept Medicare CDM, private health and private pay.
Ready to get started?
Speak directly with our director. No obligation — just a chat about how we can help.
Free call-backs and discovery calls are with our director, subject to availability, one per family, with no ongoing commitment.