Community Participation & Independence.
Getting out and about independently is one of the biggest parts of growing up.
For many young people, navigating public transport, shops, and everyday community settings takes a bit of extra support to get there.
That's exactly what our occupational therapists are here for.
What we can support
Travel training, using services & navigating appointments
- Planning routes, reading timetables, and using an Opal card confidently
- Managing unexpected changes — delays, missed stops, unfamiliar destinations
- Travelling safely and independently to a range of locations
- Booking, preparing for, and attending appointments independently
- Communicating needs and navigating services like GPs, pharmacies, and Centrelink
Shopping and navigating retail environments
- Writing and following a shopping list
- Navigating supermarkets and other retail spaces
- Comparing prices and making decisions at the shelf
- Handling cash or card transactions at the checkout
- Managing sensory overwhelm in busy environments
Money management and financial skills
- Understanding and managing a basic budget
- Using bank accounts, cards, and mobile payment
- Grocery budgeting and price awareness
- Understanding bills and regular expenses and saving toward a goal
Social participation and community connection
- Building confidence in community and social settings
- Participating in group activities, clubs, and recreation
- Managing sensory overwhelm in busy public spaces
- Accessing community activities independently
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-25
Who is this for?
- Young people who rely on parents or carers to get around, run errands, or access the community
- Those who feel anxious or overwhelmed in community settings, shops, or unfamiliar environments
- Young people working toward independence in travel, money, or everyday community tasks
- Parents of young people aged 15 and up who want to support their child to get out and about more independently
- NDIS participants with community access, daily living, or social participation goals
No diagnosis needed, and no referral required. Just get in touch and we’ll figure out if we’re the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the OT actually come out into the community with my young person?
Yes! for community participation goals, this is often the most effective approach. Our OTs regularly run sessions on public transport, at the shops, and in other community environments on the Northern Beaches. Real environments are where the skills actually stick.
How long will I need to be in OT for?
It depends!
Occupational therapy is not designed to last forever - our jobs are to hone your skills and prepare you to take on life, with confidence and the capabilities to do so independently. For some, as few as 5 sessions can target a specific skills and bring you up to speed but some also benefit from more regular sessions over a 6 - 12 month period. It's completely depends on what your goals are.
Is this covered by NDIS?
Community participation support is typically funded under Capacity Building — Daily Activities (Support Category 7) and may also be relevant under Capacity Building — Social and Community Participation (Support Category 9). We are a registered NDIS provider. Get in touch and we can help you understand how your plan could fund this support.
My young person gets very anxious in public. Is that something OT addresses?
Absolutely. Anxiety in community settings is one of the most common things we see — and our OTs are experienced in working with it. We take a gradual, supported approach that builds confidence step by step, at a pace that works for the young person.