Turning Point Occupational Therapy
We provide neurodivergent affirming and holistic Occupational Therapy to children, adolescents, and adults across Adelaide
About Us
Values & Approach
Turning Point Occupational Therapy is an independent Occupational Therapy practice dedicated to empowering lives through therapy. We support families from all walks of life in achieving their goals through strength-based and relationship-focused therapy that builds confidence, connection, trust, and essential life skills.
At Turning Point Occupational Therapy, we collaborate closely with children, families, adults, and support networks to provide therapeutic support that is:
- Neurodivergent affirming
- Person-centred
- Strengths-based
- Progress-focused
- Flexible to changing needs
- Disability and trauma-informed
- Supportive of autonomy
We believe that effective therapy starts with a holistic approach that understands the individual, not just the diagnosis. If you're interested in learning more or wish to contact us, we’re here to help.
Meet Our Lead Occupational Therapist
Isla is a warm and engaging Occupational Therapist who is passionate about supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She has a strong foundation in paediatrics, while also supporting adults across the lifespan.
Isla’s approach is grounded in trauma-informed and neurodivergent affirming practice. She prioritises building safe, trusting relationships and uses a person-centred, strength-based approach to support meaningful participation in everyday life. Isla has a particular interest in supporting people with trauma, high anxiety, PDA profiles, sensory processing differences, social skills, and children who experience challenges in school environments.
Isla is also a published author in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (2024), contributing to research within the Occupational Therapy profession.
Occupational Therapy - What We Can Help With
Gross & Fine Motor Skills
At Turning Point Occupational Therapy, we support the development of children's fine and gross motor skills. Our services also extend to adults, helping individuals to participate in (and/or return to) everyday meaningful activities that require the use of the hands and larger muscle groups. Motor areas we focus on include:
- Strength
- Muscle tone
- Balance
- Coordination
- Endurance
- Stability and postural control
- Pencil grasp and handwriting
- Scissor skills
- Cutlery and utensil use
- Hand/wrist strengthening
- Hand dexterity
- Developmental milestones
- Primitive reflex integration
- Bilateral integration (use of both hands simultaneously)
- Participation in everyday activities involving use of the hands
- Work or home-related tasks and leisure activities
Self-care, Safety & Independence
We provide tailored interventions to support children, adolescents, and adults in developing essential skills and independence. Our services cover various areas, including:
- Toileting independence and toilet training
- Bathing and grooming
- Hygiene and self-care practices
- Dressing independence
- Mealtime management and eating
- Shopping and community participation
- Sleep
- Falls prevention
- Energy conservation
- Joint protection
- Rehabilitation and return to work
- Home safety modifications
- Overall independence and routine participation
- Risk assessments
Cognitive Function
Individualised intervention plans are available to support people of all ages with cognitive functions, such as:
- Organisation
- Time management
- Planning and sequencing
- Safety awareness and maintenance
- Comprehension
- Memory
- Problem solving
- Attention
- Management of the everyday impacts of cognitive overload, and more!
Communication & Social Participation
Through therapeutic intervention, people of all ages can be supported to develop communication skills, overcome social interaction challenges, and maintain/strengthen social relationships. We provide support with:
- Expressive and receptive communication
- Understanding behaviours as communication
- Recognising and understanding social cues
- Boundary setting
- Establishing and maintaining friendships
- Navigating relationship dynamics
- Navigating peer conflict
- Understanding and advocating for neurodivergent communication styles
- Improving overall social participation and addressing challenges impacting social participation
Emotions, Behaviours & Mental Health
For children, emotions can be a big challenge - most of us parents have experienced this! That's why at Turning Point Occupational Therapy; we provide tailored interventions and offer strategies to help children navigate those big emotions. We also support adults in managing challenging emotions and nurturing mental health and wellbeing. Our services provide support with:
- Identifying, understanding and expressing emotions
- Regulating emotions
- Understanding and addressing challenging behaviours
- Coping skills
- School anxiety and school-related challenges
- Navigating trauma
- Advocating for mental health and psychosocial support needs
Play Skills
Play is such an essential aspect of children's everyday development. At Turning Point Occupational Therapy, our paediatric interventions are designed with a strong emphasis on play-based approaches to help develop everyday skills and nurture children's growing minds. These interventions can support crucial areas such as:
- Sharing
- Turn-taking
- Imaginative, pretend and collaborative play
- Expanding play ideas
- Reaching play stage milestones
Sensory Needs
Turning Point Occupational Therapy provides individualised interventions for sensory processing and sensory integration. If you or your child experiences sensory challenges or have specific sensory needs that affect daily life, we are here to help!
Assessments & Functional Capacity Assessment Reports
Individual, comprehensive assessments and reports are available as part of ongoing intervention plans or as once-off referrals.
We warmly welcome referrals for Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) reports.
Additional Information
Service Delivery & Funding Models
At Turning Point Occupational Therapy, we provide individualised services to help improve quality and support neurodivergent (and neurotypical) minds.
Services include your choice of in-person sessions, telehealth appointments or consultations at a location of your choice. The frequency of sessions is completely at your discretion and can be updated along the way depending on what works best for you!
We provide services for:
- NDIS participants
- Medicare-funded clients (with a valid referral)
- Private-pay clients
All therapists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and all services are provided in line with professional standards and ethical practice.