Occupational
Therapy
Empowering your child to thrive in all environments!
We are excited to confirm the launch of our new Paediatric Outpatient Occupational Therapy service at MTHC at the end of January 2026, expanding our commitment to providing comprehensive care and support to children and families in our community.
Our service:
This new service will offer high-quality, evidence-informed, and compassionate occupational therapy assessments and interventions, supporting children’s functional participation and wellbeing.
This service will collaborate closely with our multidisciplinary colleagues and external partners to ensure seamless care pathways. Internal referrals from MTHC clinics are now being accepted and triaged.
Enquire/ Refer Now:
Urgent telephone enquiries can be directed to;
Dr Olga Birchall, MSPC Clinical Director on 0403 263 846.
Our paediatric occupational therapists support:
Children and young people (0–18 years) to build the skills, confidence and independence they need for everyday life.
We take a neurodiversity-affirming, individualised approach that recognises each child’s unique strengths, preferences and ways of engaging with the world.
We can assist with:
Attention, planning and organisation
Supporting children to develop practical strategies for starting tasks, staying on track and managing daily demands.
Fine and gross motor skills
Helping with the movement skills needed for play, handwriting, school tasks, self-care and sport.
Sensory processing
Understanding how a child experiences everyday sensations – such as noise, touch, movement or visual input – and developing supportive environments and strategies so they can participate comfortably.
Body awareness (proprioception)
Building a child’s ability to recognise where their body is in space so they can move confidently, coordinate actions and feel safe in their environment.
Transitions and moving between activities
Supporting children to shift smoothly between tasks, routines or environments (for example, moving from play to mealtime, getting ready for school, or changing activities in the classroom). We work with you to develop practical, supportive strategies.
Emotional regulation skills within everyday activities
OTs help children understand their sensory and environmental needs, develop coping tools, and participate in daily routines more smoothly. We do not provide psychological therapy, but we support wellbeing through practical, occupation-based approaches.
Independence in daily routines
Developing skills for dressing, eating, hygiene, sleep routines, community access and other everyday activities.
Participation at home, school and in the community
Collaborating with families, educators and other professionals to support a child’s meaningful involvement in the activities that matter to them.
If you’re unsure whether occupational therapy is the right fit for your child, our team is happy to talk through your questions and guide your next steps.
Dr Olga Birchall
Clinic Director
Olga graduated from La Trobe university with first class honours in 2000, and over the past 23 years has worked in clinical care, clinical education, and leadership across multiple healthcare settings, including acute teaching hospitals in Australia (Royal Melbourne Hospital, Western Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Monash Medical Centre) and the UK (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Charing Cross Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital, and others). Since 2004 she has concurrently run a successful mobile Speech Pathology practice servicing adults living in the community, residential aged care homes (RACHs), and acute hospitals. Olga has had extensive experience in leading teams through service development, delivery, and evaluation across acute, rehabilitation, palliative care, community, and outreach settings.
Our Commitment:
Our team is committed to providing professional, evidence-based care tailored to each child’s unique needs through innovation, research, and clinical excellence.
Contact Us
Melbourne Speech Pathology Clinic
Level 1, 723 Swanston St,
Carlton 3053
Phone: 03 9035 7199
Fax: 03 9347 1535
Email: speech-clinic@unimelb.edu.au
Opening hours
Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 4.30 pm
Closed public holidays