Come To Us For…
An Experienced Team
Our Awesome Team is led by Marg Hopper, a paediatric Occupational Therapist with 30 years experience, and Nick Hopper, a Systems Administrator with a diverse skill set. Together in 1996 Marg and Nick established Sydney’s HoPALoNG Occupational Therapy for Children, growing a busy team for 12 years before moving to beautiful Bellingen, NSW to raise their boys.
Seeing a growing need for local services Marg and Nick established AKOT in 2014 and now lead a small, well respected team of highly skilled occupational therapists, allied health assistants and administration servicing Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca and Dorrigo on the beautiful and creative NSW Mid North Coast.
Fun Therapy
Honouring play to Increase children’s confidence, participation and success in their work, play, self care, rest and leisure occupations is what occupational therapy is all about!
“Having as much fun as possible is what being a kid is all about!”
Individualised Service
We know one size does not fit all. Every child and family is different and has diverse needs. That’s a great thing! We have a large “toolbox” of therapeutic approaches to cater including play, art, sensory-motor, relationship-based, trauma informed, cognitive-behavioral, skills training, strengths-based, parent and child coaching, capacity building the whole team, task-skill matching, assistive technology, and environmental adjustments. We provide all services in a neurodiversity affirming way, prioritising knowledge of own self, secure relationships, and strength building.
“We take the time to understand each child and family’s unique strengths and needs.”
Possibilities…
Our Occupational Therapists and Allied Health Assistants have broad ranging expertise to work with you, your child and with your child’s team to meet goals including:
- Understanding children’s uniqueness and strengths
- Help for parents to advocate for their child at school
- Early development including transition to preschool and school
- Managing big emotions and secure relationships
- Social engagement and friendships
- Daily self care activities
- Attention and organisational skills
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Pre-writing and handwriting
- Sensory adjustments
- Participating in community
- Plus more…
Diagnosis is not required for referral however children may come to AKOT with a diagnosis or differences associated with being neurodivergent, including Autism Spectrum (ASD), Attention Deficit (ADHD), Anxiety, Sensory Processing (SPD) or Developmental Coordination (DCD aka Dyspraxia), Learning challenges, Behaviour challenges, Extreme Demand Avoidance (PDA), or PANDAS/PANS.