Sensory overwhelm
Busy places, sounds, textures or lighting can feel intense, exhausting or distressing.
Our approach | Paediatric occupational therapy, Robina
Behaviour has a why.
We look beyond what you see.
At SenseUp Therapies, we work to understand your child's experience, strengths, sensory needs and everyday world before deciding what support could look like.
Individualised, neuroaffirming occupational therapy that puts connection, participation and your family's priorities first.
For families wondering where to begin
You might be here because something feels hard.
Perhaps you have been trying different strategies, asking questions or simply noticing that your child experiences parts of daily life differently. You do not have to have all the answers before reaching out.
Daily routines feel difficult
Dressing, mealtimes, toothbrushing, sleep or leaving the house may need more support than expected.
Big feelings or withdrawal
Your child may become overwhelmed, need time to recover, or disconnect when things feel too much.
Always moving, or needing more time
Your child might actively seek movement and touch, or take longer to notice and respond to sensory information.
Transitions are tricky
Moving between activities, environments or expectations can create uncertainty and distress.
You have a feeling something needs understanding
You might not have a name for what you are noticing. You just know that everyday life could feel easier with the right support.
We see these experiences as information, not problems to correct. Our first priority is understanding what your child is communicating and what might help them feel safe, supported and able to participate.
The SenseUp lens
We support the whole child.
Every child brings their own strengths, interests, sensory experiences, relationships and way of engaging with the world. Understanding these is just as important as understanding the activities that feel challenging.
We consider sensory processing and integration, nervous system regulation, motor coordination, emotional wellbeing, communication, the physical environment and the expectations placed on your child.
Our goals are shaped with children and families, and focus on occupations that matter: play, learning, self-care, connection and participation at home, at school and in the community.
Who we support | Children's occupational therapy, Gold Coast
Support that meets your child where they are.
SenseUp Therapies provides paediatric occupational therapy in Robina and across the Gold Coast. We work with children and families experiencing a wide range of developmental, sensory, motor and everyday participation needs.
Autism
Affirming support for autistic children and children with diverse sensory, learning and developmental profiles.
ADHD and attention differences
Understanding movement, attention, executive functioning, task demands and everyday participation.
Sensory processing differences
Supporting sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, body awareness and comfortable participation in daily activities.
Developmental coordination and motor skills
Supporting children with DCD or dyspraxia, motor planning, balance, coordination, handwriting and functional movement.
Emotional and nervous system regulation
Working together around co-regulation, emotional safety, coping and recovery following overwhelm.
Daily living skills
Practical support for dressing, feeding and mealtimes, toileting, personal care and family routines.
School readiness
Supporting play, early learning, classroom participation, transitions, posture and fine motor skills.
Physical and developmental disabilities
Individualised support for children with physical, genetic or developmental conditions and complex participation needs.
Play, social connection and confidence
Child-led opportunities to build confidence, relationships, flexible participation and meaningful engagement.
A diagnosis is not a prerequisite for contacting our team or accessing privately funded occupational therapy. We discuss individual needs, service suitability and any funding-related referral requirements before booking.
How we support your child and family
Child-led therapy with a clear clinical purpose.
From a thorough initial assessment to individual occupational therapy, parent coaching and support across everyday settings, we take a connected, whole-family approach that adapts to your child and your priorities. Individual OT sessions are available without committing to a therapy package, with support offered in English and Spanish across our services.
We use assessment, clinical observation, family knowledge and your child's interests to understand both strengths and support needs. Our occupational therapists choose activities, games and therapeutic equipment thoughtfully, adapting the challenge and pace to each child's preferences, capacity and goals.
Our purpose-designed sensory gym includes an engineer-certified suspension frame and carefully considered equipment. The environment supports safe, engaging and flexible paediatric occupational therapy, including sensory integration-informed intervention where appropriate.
One child. Many contexts.
A child's capacity can change depending on the time of day, who they are with, their sensory environment, their health and how safe and connected they feel. Our clinical reasoning takes these fluctuations into account, rather than expecting the same response every day.
We partner with families and educators to help support carry into ordinary routines.
Our four-level clinical framework
We begin with foundations and work towards participation.
These four levels guide our thinking, not a rigid sequence or timetable. Support may move between levels as your child's needs and circumstances change.
01
Nervous system safety
We begin with connection, trust and a sense of safety. We notice how your child is feeling and responding in the moment, and adjust expectations, environments and support to help them engage without unnecessary distress.
02
Sensory integration and sensorimotor foundations
Where clinically appropriate, we use purposeful movement, play and sensory experiences to explore body awareness, sensory processing, motor planning and regulation. Activities are individualised and guided by your child’s responses.
03
Functional skill development
We build on strengths and interests to support practical motor, cognitive, emotional and adaptive skills. Activities are meaningful, achievable and adapted as your child grows.
04
Participation in everyday occupations
The outcome that matters is what your child can do, access and enjoy in real life. We work with families and educators to support participation in play, self-care, learning and community life.
You do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis to ask for support. If you have concerns about your child's participation, an early conversation can help you understand your options.
Evidence-informed paediatric occupational therapy
Grounded in evidence. Guided by your child.
We believe effective occupational therapy requires more than a collection of strategies. It involves keeping up with research, understanding the evidence behind different approaches and applying sound clinical reasoning to each child's circumstances.
Our team brings together current research, professional expertise and the priorities and lived experiences of children and families. We are thoughtful about what the evidence does and does not show, and adjust support as new information and your child's needs emerge.
Current research and clinical guidelines
We review evolving occupational therapy research, clinical guidance and professional learning, and consider how relevant findings apply to the children and families we support.
Assessment and clinical reasoning
We combine standardised tools, functional observation and clinical reasoning with the experiences and perspectives of the child, family and wider support team.
Shared decisions and meaningful outcomes
We explain recommendations, consider the quality and limitations of available evidence, and track progress in goals that matter in your child’s real life.
Our approach to sensory integration
Sensory integration-informed intervention is one part of our clinical toolkit, not a one-size-fits-all answer. Where Ayres Sensory Integration principles are relevant, we consider assessment findings, clinical suitability, professional training and the intervention's evidence base alongside environmental adaptations, participation-focused strategies and family priorities.
Evidence varies by intervention and outcome. We focus on individual goals, informed decisions and observable changes in meaningful participation.
Support beyond the therapy room
Progress belongs in everyday life.
What happens in a therapy session should connect with the places and activities that matter to your child. We collaborate with parents, carers, teachers and other professionals, with consent, to bring shared understanding into home, school and community settings.
Depending on your child's needs, clinical suitability and availability, support may include clinic-based occupational therapy, mobile visits, parent coaching and telehealth.
Our aim is not to make children fit a single expectation. It is to help shape environments, build skills where useful and create more opportunities for participation.
A supportive place to start
Would you like to learn more about our support?
Whether you know exactly what you are looking for or you are still finding the words, we would love to hear what everyday life looks like for your child and family. Tell us a little about your needs, and we can help you explore the next step.
Request an Introductory CallNo diagnosis required to enquire. We can discuss service suitability and available appointment options with you.