Occupational therapists work with children, their families and community to develop functional skills in order to help them participate and engage better in their home, school/kinder and community.
Focussing on key areas such as developing confidence with their self-care skills, productivity (learning at school or kinder), and leisure (social, emotional and behavioural development) services offered include:
- Fine Motor Skills (hand and finger strength, drawing, cutting and writing) Handwriting (letter formation, number formations, and pencil grasp).
- Handwriting speed assessments
- Gross motor skills (Postural control, coordination and motor planning I.e., playing on playground equipment)
- School readiness skills
- Self-care skills (using cutlery, dressing, sleep routines and toilet training)
- Listening and following instructions at school/kinder, sitting, attending and concentrating
- Play skills and social skills (playing with other children, sharing and turn taking)
- Organising self and keeping track of belongings
- Sensory regulation/processing (sensory sensitivities to touch, sounds and smells, difficulties sitting for meals etc.)
Eligibility Criteria
This service is for children (0-12 years) who:
- live, work, study or attend pre-school or child-care in the City of Greater Dandenong, City Of Casey or Cardinia Shire
- OR cannot access local services due to poor transport accessibility
This service is not for children who:
- come from a high income family
- are eligible for, or currently accessing:
- Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA)
- Local Area Coordination (LAC) or have a NDIS plan have a diagnosis that would enable them to get NDIS
- attend Specialist Schools as they should be able to receive therapy support through school.
Referral Method(s)
Referrals should be sent by eReferral through Healthlink or by email.
Phone:  03 8572 5631
Email:  icareaccess@monashhealth.org
Eligible Postcodes
City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Cardinia Shire
- Greater Dandenong –Â 3171, 3172, 3173, 3174, 3175, 3975
- Casey –Â 3156, 3177, 3802, 3803, 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3912, 3975, 3976, 3977, 3978, 3980
- Cardinia –Â 3139, 3159, 3781, 3782, 3783, 3806, 3807, 3808, 3809, 3810, 3812, 3813, 3814, 3815, 3816,3978, 3980, 3981, 3984,3987
Additional information required
Include all patient demographic and clinical details as well as relevant investigation results:
Service contact details:
Service Enquiries: 03 8558 9000
Service Enquiries Email:Â childandfamilyprogram@monashhealth.org
Contact hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
Click here for more information about this service.
Please review the eligibility criteria before submitting a referral.