🩰 Dance Occupational Therapy
Movement, creativity, and Occupational Therapy combined.
Dance Occupational Therapy combines the benefits of dance and movement with the flexibility and individualisation of Occupational Therapy.
Sessions are tailored to the individual and can be adapted to suit a wide range of goals, abilities, interests, and support needs.
Delivered by Emma Hunter, Occupational Therapist.
Dance Occupational Therapy combines the benefits of dance and movement with the flexibility and individualisation of Occupational Therapy.
Sessions are tailored to the individual and can be adapted to suit a wide range of goals, abilities, interests, and support needs.
Delivered by Emma Hunter, Occupational Therapist.
🌱 What Is Dance Occupational Therapy?
Dance Occupational Therapy uses movement, dance, music, creativity, and play as therapeutic tools.
Unlike a traditional dance class, sessions are guided by the individual and can be adapted in real time to suit their interests, goals, strengths, and support needs.
For some people that may look very similar to a ballet class.
For others it may involve games, movement activities, sensory exploration, creative tasks, or simply using dance as a vehicle to build confidence and develop new skills.
There is no expectation to perform, keep up with a class, or fit into a predetermined structure.
The session adapts to the individual.
Unlike a traditional dance class, sessions are guided by the individual and can be adapted in real time to suit their interests, goals, strengths, and support needs.
For some people that may look very similar to a ballet class.
For others it may involve games, movement activities, sensory exploration, creative tasks, or simply using dance as a vehicle to build confidence and develop new skills.
There is no expectation to perform, keep up with a class, or fit into a predetermined structure.
The session adapts to the individual.
🎯 What Skills Can Dance OT Help Develop?
Dance and movement naturally provide opportunities to develop a wide range of skills including:
Physical Skills✅ Balance✅ Coordination✅ Strength✅ Body awareness✅ Motor planning✅ Gross motor skills
Thinking & Learning Skills✅ Following instructions✅ Memory and recall✅ Sequencing✅ Attention and focus✅ Problem solving✅ Executive functioning
Social & Emotional Skills✅ Confidence✅ Emotional regulation✅ Self-expression✅ Turn taking✅ Social interaction✅ Participation in group environments
Everyday Life Skills✅ Preparing for activities✅ Following routines✅ Organisation✅ Planning ahead✅ Independence
Physical Skills✅ Balance✅ Coordination✅ Strength✅ Body awareness✅ Motor planning✅ Gross motor skills
Thinking & Learning Skills✅ Following instructions✅ Memory and recall✅ Sequencing✅ Attention and focus✅ Problem solving✅ Executive functioning
Social & Emotional Skills✅ Confidence✅ Emotional regulation✅ Self-expression✅ Turn taking✅ Social interaction✅ Participation in group environments
Everyday Life Skills✅ Preparing for activities✅ Following routines✅ Organisation✅ Planning ahead✅ Independence
🩰 How Is This Different To A Dance Class?
A traditional ballet class follows a structured progression.
Students move through a set sequence of exercises and activities alongside other dancers.
Dance Occupational Therapy begins with the individual.
Sessions are flexible, adaptable, and guided by the person's goals, interests, abilities, and support needs.
Rather than expecting the individual to fit the class, the session is shaped around the individual.
This makes Dance OT particularly suitable for people who may find traditional classes overwhelming, inaccessible, or difficult to engage with.
Students move through a set sequence of exercises and activities alongside other dancers.
Dance Occupational Therapy begins with the individual.
Sessions are flexible, adaptable, and guided by the person's goals, interests, abilities, and support needs.
Rather than expecting the individual to fit the class, the session is shaped around the individual.
This makes Dance OT particularly suitable for people who may find traditional classes overwhelming, inaccessible, or difficult to engage with.
🌈 Who Is Dance OT For?
🌈 Who Is Dance OT For?
Dance Occupational Therapy may be suitable for:
🌱 Children who enjoy movement and dance🌱 Neurodivergent individuals🌱 People with Autism Spectrum Disorder🌱 People with ADHD🌱 Individuals who benefit from additional support🌱 People who may not yet feel ready for a traditional dance class🌱 Individuals working towards confidence, participation, independence, or movement-related goals
Dance Occupational Therapy may be suitable for:
🌱 Children who enjoy movement and dance🌱 Neurodivergent individuals🌱 People with Autism Spectrum Disorder🌱 People with ADHD🌱 Individuals who benefit from additional support🌱 People who may not yet feel ready for a traditional dance class🌱 Individuals working towards confidence, participation, independence, or movement-related goals
💜 NDIS Information
Dance Occupational Therapy is delivered by a qualified Occupational Therapist.
Occupational Therapy rates apply.
Depending on your funding arrangements, NDIS funding may be used.
We recommend discussing your individual circumstances with Emma to determine whether Dance Occupational Therapy is the right fit.
👉 Discuss NDIS Options
Occupational Therapy rates apply.
Depending on your funding arrangements, NDIS funding may be used.
We recommend discussing your individual circumstances with Emma to determine whether Dance Occupational Therapy is the right fit.
👉 Discuss NDIS Options
How Dance Occupational Therapy Sessions Work
Dance Occupational Therapy is a highly individualised service that combines the benefits of movement, dance, and Occupational Therapy.
Unlike a traditional dance class, each session is tailored to the participant's unique goals, interests, strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Because every participant is different, time may be allocated not only to the session itself, but also to consultation, planning, preparation, and professional documentation where required.
Unlike a traditional dance class, each session is tailored to the participant's unique goals, interests, strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Because every participant is different, time may be allocated not only to the session itself, but also to consultation, planning, preparation, and professional documentation where required.
Getting Started
All new participants begin with an initial consultation.
This allows Emma to learn more about the participant, discuss goals and support needs, answer questions, and determine whether Dance Occupational Therapy is the right fit.
This allows Emma to learn more about the participant, discuss goals and support needs, answer questions, and determine whether Dance Occupational Therapy is the right fit.
Individualised Planning & Preparation
Following the consultation, time may be allocated to planning and session preparation.
This ensures each session is thoughtfully designed around the participant's goals rather than following a generic class structure.
This ensures each session is thoughtfully designed around the participant's goals rather than following a generic class structure.
Session Delivery
Sessions are delivered as private one-to-one appointments.
Appointments have a minimum booking duration of 20 minutes and are billed in 5-minute increments up to a maximum session length of 50 minutes.
Appointments have a minimum booking duration of 20 minutes and are billed in 5-minute increments up to a maximum session length of 50 minutes.
Professional Documentation
As with all Occupational Therapy services, professional documentation, progress notes, reports, and other clinical records may be completed where required.
Fees, Funding & Support
Occupational Therapy rates apply.
Dance Occupational Therapy is a specialised allied health service and should not be compared directly to a group dance class. Fees reflect the professional expertise, clinical reasoning, planning, preparation, delivery, and documentation provided by a qualified Occupational Therapist.
NDIS funding may be available depending on a participant's funding arrangements, available supports, plan management type, and individual circumstances.
If you're unsure whether Dance Occupational Therapy may be suitable for you or your child, we'd be happy to discuss your situation and answer any questions.
Dance Occupational Therapy is a specialised allied health service and should not be compared directly to a group dance class. Fees reflect the professional expertise, clinical reasoning, planning, preparation, delivery, and documentation provided by a qualified Occupational Therapist.
NDIS funding may be available depending on a participant's funding arrangements, available supports, plan management type, and individual circumstances.
If you're unsure whether Dance Occupational Therapy may be suitable for you or your child, we'd be happy to discuss your situation and answer any questions.
👋 Meet Emma
Emma Hunter is an Occupational Therapist, dancer, and educator who is passionate about helping people engage with meaningful activities through movement.
By combining Occupational Therapy principles with dance and creative movement, Emma aims to create a supportive environment where individuals can explore, develop, and grow at their own pace.
By combining Occupational Therapy principles with dance and creative movement, Emma aims to create a supportive environment where individuals can explore, develop, and grow at their own pace.
💬 Ready To Learn More?
Not sure whether Dance Occupational Therapy is the right fit?
Get in touch and we'd be happy to discuss your goals, answer questions, and determine whether Dance OT may be suitable for you.
Get in touch and we'd be happy to discuss your goals, answer questions, and determine whether Dance OT may be suitable for you.