Handwriting that is hard to read or slow
Writing takes a long time, is difficult to read back, or a child avoids written work.
Slow or messy writing, an awkward pencil grip, tears at homework time? Joanne looks at the hand skills, posture and planning behind it. No diagnosis needed to ask.
Asking doesn’t commit you to anything.
Request a callbackParents and carers are welcome to get in touch.

Who needs support, and where you are based. Avanti confirms the right next step.
Sound familiar?
If any of these sound familiar, share what you are seeing and the local team will confirm whether occupational therapy fits.
Writing takes a long time, is difficult to read back, or a child avoids written work.
Pencil grip, scissor skills or using cutlery are still tricky or tiring.
Writing leads to frustration, avoidance or a complaint of sore hands, wrists or shoulders.
Your occupational therapist
Paediatric, cognitive and mental health Occupational Therapist based in bayside Melbourne.
Joanne supports clients through trauma-informed and neuro-affirming OT at Cheltenham, by telehealth, and in home or community settings.
Occupational Therapist · Paediatric, cognitive and mental health OT. More about Joanne.
How OT helps
An occupational therapist looks at the hand and finger skills, posture and planning behind handwriting, cutting and everyday classroom tasks. The team confirms whether this service fits before anything is booked, and no diagnosis is needed to ask.
Pencil grip, hand strength and control, and how letters are formed and spaced.
Using scissors, cutlery and small tools, and managing the hand skills those tasks need.
How long a child can write for, how tiring it is, and how writing fits into the school day.
Recommendations follow the assessment. The team confirms whether this service fits before anything is booked.
Questions
It is for children and young people in Melbourne and the parents, carers or support teams around them. The team confirms whether the clinician and service fit before anything is booked.
Sessions may happen at Cheltenham, by telehealth, or in home and community settings where suitable. The setting is agreed with you after you enquire.
Tell us your child’s age when you enquire and the team confirms whether the service suits your family.
Call or request a callback and share what you are noticing. The team confirms whether an appointment is the right next step. Asking does not commit you to anything.
No. This is occupational therapy. It looks at the skills behind handwriting and everyday tasks, such as hand and finger control, posture and planning, rather than tutoring a school subject.
No diagnosis is needed to ask. The team talks through what you are noticing and confirms whether occupational therapy fits before anything is booked.
NDIS, a Medicare referral or private payment may apply, depending on your child and the service. The team checks the funding pathway and explains relevant fees before anything is booked.
Next step
Share what you are noticing — the local team talks it through with you and explains whether OT support fits.
Who needs support, and where you are based. Avanti confirms the right next step.
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