What to Expect at Your First OT or Speech Appointment
- claire2876
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Booking your first therapy appointment for your child can come with lots of questions — and a few nerves! Whether you’ve been referred by a GP, your NDIS coordinator, or you’re seeking help on your own, it’s helpful to know what to expect. At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, we’re here to make the process as welcoming and stress-free as possible.
Before the Appointment
Once your appointment is booked, our admin team will send you an intake form. This gives us background information about your child’s development, daily routines, challenges, and goals.
We’ll also:
Confirm your preferred clinic location (Nowra or Shellharbour)
Provide info about funding (NDIS, Medicare, private)
Let you know what to bring (reports, referrals, or relevant documents)
During the Appointment
Your first session is usually an initial assessment with an occupational therapist (OT) or speech pathologist (SP), depending on your concerns.
What happens during an OT assessment?
Observation of your child’s play, movement, fine motor skills, and sensory responses
Discussion with you about routines, strengths, and goals
Hands-on tasks like puzzles, drawing, or simple physical activities
What happens during a speech pathology assessment?
Listening to how your child speaks, understands, and uses words
Checking speech sounds, sentence structure, and play or social skills
Chatting with you about their communication milestones and concerns
We always take a child-led approach to make sessions fun and engaging.
After the Appointment
Your therapist will:
Review assessment findings
Discuss a therapy plan tailored to your child’s needs
Offer ideas to support your child at home or in their community
Talk through the next steps, including session frequency, therapy goals, and reporting timelines
You’ll leave feeling informed, empowered, and supported.
Questions We Often Get:
Do I stay in the room during the session? Yes — we value your insight, and your presence helps your child feel safe.
Can I bring siblings? Yes, it is fine to bring siblings.
How often will therapy be? That depends on your child’s goals and funding. Some attend weekly, others fortnightly or monthly.
We’re Here for You
Every family’s journey is different, and we’re here to walk alongside you from your first session onward. Contact us if you have any questions or are ready to book your first appointment.
