Intensive Paediatric Therapy in Sydney
Our Intensive Therapy Program delivers short-term, goal-focused therapy blocks with increased frequency to support meaningful outcomes for children and families.
Each program is individually designed and aligned with the participant’s NDIS goals, focusing on building functional skills, independence, participation and confidence through structured therapy delivered over a defined period of time.
Programs are suitable for children from birth to 18 years and may include one or a combination of Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology.
Personalised intensive block therapy programs for disabilities and developmental delays
At Therapies For Kids, we’re proud to be Australia’s original intensive therapy clinic for children with disabilities. We deliver personalised intensive block therapy programs for children with developmental delays, autism, physical disability, sensory processing challenges and communication difficulties.
Programs are neurodiversity-affirming and family-centred, focusing on building communication, independence, regulation, movement, confidence and participation in everyday life
Each individualised program is developed with your child in mind, so you can be assured your child is getting effective care specifically suited to their needs. Our transdisciplinary therapists will be with you and your family every step of the way, helping children with disabilities through physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology and speech language pathology. Whether you’re locally based or travelling to our team, contact us for expert intensive therapy in Sydney. For more information, get in touch with our therapy experts today!
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How does intensive therapy work?
Here’s what families can expect:
1. Planning & Goal Setting
Your program begins with a planning session to discuss goals, review reports and understand your priorities.
2. Custom Program Design
Your therapist (or team) will design a program based on your child’s needs, interests and NDIS plan. Programs may run over 2–6 weeks or be customised according to professional advice.
3. Intensive Therapy Sessions
Therapy is delivered more frequently than weekly sessions. This might look like:
- At least 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks
- Daily sessions over the school holidays
- Combined OT + Physio or Speech + AHA sessions
- Shorter, child-led sessions for young children
4. Family Involvement
Parents are invited to observe and learn strategies for home.
5. Review & Follow-Up
Your therapist will review progress, celebrate achievements and discuss ongoing support.
Research shows that 45+ hours of intensive therapy over a continual period promotes neuroplasticity and results in improved function.* We’ve seen great results from using intensive therapy to help children with disabilities, providing long-term positive outcomes for your child. Neuroplasticity is developed through short-term blocks of therapy using high repetitions, which can help your child learn to walk, talk and manage their disabilities.
Intensive therapy programs help children with disabilities by providing individualised daily therapy programs involving either one or a combination of physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy and speech language pathology. We recommend your child’s intensive therapy program include up to four hours of therapy each day for four weeks at a time to get the most out of the program.
* Source — Afzal F, Manzoor S, Afzal A. Latest trends in pediatric physical therapy and concept of intensive pediatric physical therapy. Rawal Medical Journal 2017;42;4: 581-2.
NDIS Capacity Building Focus
Our Intensive Therapy Programs are delivered under NDIS Capacity Building supports and are aligned with your child’s NDIS plan goals.
Programs are designed to build functional skills, participation, independence and confidence across everyday environments including home, school and community.
We work closely with families and support coordinators to ensure therapy is planned within funding guidelines and supported by appropriate documentation.
Our transdisciplinary intensive therapy programs:
- Accelerate functional motor skills
- Help children learn to walk and talk
- Improve independence with activities involving motor skills, such as completing everyday tasks
- Improve motor coordination, motor control, strength, and balance
Who is an Intensive Therapy block best suited for?
Intensive block therapy may be suitable for children who:
- Would benefit from increased therapy frequency
- Are working towards a specific functional goal
- Have autism or developmental delay
- Have sensory processing challenges
- Are developing emotional regulation
- Are building independence and daily living skills
- Are preparing for school or returning to school
- Require focused intervention over a defined time frame
- Are working on community access and social skills
What makes TFK Intensives different?
Transdisciplinary Team
Your child may work with a combination of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Exercise Physiologists and Allied Health Assistants — all collaborating and sharing strategies to support progress.
Therapy Tailored to Your Child
We tailor therapy frequency, intensity and structure based on your child’s needs, energy levels and goals. Our therapists guide you on what level of support is clinically appropriate and meaningful.
Neuro‑affirming, Family-Centred Practice
We celebrate each child’s strengths, learning style and pace. Parents are encouraged to observe, participate and learn strategies they can continue at home.
Specialised Therapy Spaces
Our clinics feature sensory gyms, harness systems, climbing frames and partial weight-bearing equipment, allowing safe and motivating practice across many skill areas.
What areas do Intensive Therapy programs focus on?
- Early intervention and developmental support
- Speech and language development
- Social communication
- Emotional regulation and sensory processing
- Gross motor and functional movement
- Postural control and mobility
- Balance, coordination and endurance
- Functional independence and daily living skills
- School readiness and participation
Programs may utilise specialised therapy equipment including Dynamic Movement Intervention, Spider Cage and Universal Exercise Units, In-ceiling Harness System, Treadmill and Gait Training, Strength Equipment, Sensory Integration Tools, Partial Support Weight Bearing Equipment, Hypervibe, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Equipment (AAC), Hanen’s Approach and many more…
Why do families choose TFK Intensives?
Families tell us they value:
- Our warm, experienced therapists
- Our inclusive, neuro‑affirming approach
- Our transdisciplinary teamwork
- Our communication & family involvement
- Child-friendly clinics with specialised equipment
- 20+ years of experience delivering intensives
- Locations in Leichhardt, Lilyfield & Narrandera
- Telehealth options for regional families
Conditions we treat:
- Global Developmental Delay
- Epilepsy Syndromes
- Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI)
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Delayed Early Movement Skills in babies and toddlers
- Sports and Musculoskeletal injuries
- Disabilities
- Spinal Cord Injury
Give your child the care they deserve with Therapies For Kids
Each child is different, and every parent wants their little one to get the best possible care. At Therapies For Kids, we ensure your child receives dedicated, personalised therapy programs designed for their needs.
Unlike other practices, we ensure all our therapists share their knowledge and collaborate together to provide the best possible outcomes for your child. Our transdisciplinary therapy experts create fun, safe and effective intensive therapy trusted by parents in Sydney and across Australia.
With state-of-the-art technology and the latest therapy tools at our fingertips, contact us for holistic intensive therapy in Sydney.
Not in Sydney? We can help plan your stay!
We know how stressful travelling can be for children and parents, especially for children with disabilities. If you’re travelling to us, we can help you find the right accommodation in Sydney!
Our team is familiar with convenient local accommodations for you and your child, and can suggest options suitable for a range of accessibility needs. Get in touch with us before your program begins and we’ll help you find a comfortable place to stay.
For more information, contact us for industry-leading intensive therapy in Sydney.
FAQs about our Sydney intensive therapy programs
How does intensive therapy complement regular therapy appointments?
Regular therapy appointments are spaced across weekly or monthly intervals depending on your child’s requirements. The intensive model is an evidence-based* practice that shows children with disabilities and other conditions benefit from receiving two to four-hour blocks of therapy every day over four weeks. By completing an intensive program in tandem with their regular therapy appointments, children can achieve the best possible outcomes for disabilities and developmental delays.
How long do intensive therapy programs take?
Each intensive program is around 45 hours in length over four weeks, but the duration of each session will vary from between two to four hours. We can work with you to schedule a program suitable for your child.
What should I bring to my child’s intensive therapy program?
We recommend bringing snacks and a bottle of water for your session. We also recommend bringing any existing suiting or footwear required by your child or used in your regular therapy sessions.
How early should I book an intensive therapy program?
We recommend booking your child’s intensive therapy program up to 12 months in advance for the best availability.
What types of treatment tools are used for intensive therapy?
Intensive programs use a range of treatment tools including:
- Suiting
- DMIT (Dynamic Movement Therapy)
- Treadmills
- Partial Support Weight Bearing
- HyperVibe
- Spider Cages
- Functional Electrical Stimulation
- Serial Casting/Kinesio Taping/Splinting
- CIMT (Constraint Induced Movement Therapy)
- AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication)
- SOS Feeding
- DIR /Floor Time
- The Hanen Approach
For more information on our therapy tools, get in touch with our team.
Can I choose my child’s therapist?
If your child is already seeing one of our therapists, we will try to assign them to your child’s intensive therapy program. However, this is not always possible due to the schedules of our therapists and the needs of your child.
While it’s great for your child to work with a familiar face, we’ll ensure your child receives the best possible care no matter who they see. If we’re unable to book you with your therapist of choice, we’ll ensure we find the perfect fit for your child from our dedicated team. Our team shares their knowledge and understanding of your child’s needs, so you can rest assured your child will be safe, happy and comfortable with any of our experienced therapists.
Do we offer telehealth intensives?
Yes — available Australia-wide.
How do I secure my child’s place?
Intensive Therapy is a highly individualised, high-value service that requires careful planning and coordination. To secure your child’s place in the program, a $1000 deposit is required at the time of booking.
Can I get a detailed guide about Intensive Therapy?
Yes. We have a full Parent Information Sheet that explains what to expect before, during and after an Intensive Therapy Program, including planning, daily routines, equipment, and booking steps. Download the Intensive Therapy Parent Information Sheet.
What are the Intensive Therapy booking change/cancellation terms?
We understand that committing to an Intensive Therapy Program requires planning. To ensure we can deliver high-quality care and reserve therapist time appropriately, the following cancellation terms apply:
- 14 to 45 days before the start date – A cancellation fee of $1000 will apply (deducted from your deposit).
- Less than 14 days before the start date – A cancellation fee of 50% of the total intensive fee will be charged.
- Within 48 hours of session start date – A cancellation fee of 100% of the total intensive fee will be charged
- After the intensive has commenced – A cancellation fee of 100% of the remaining intensive fee will be charged.
These terms allow us to honour therapist scheduling, accommodate waitlisted families, and uphold the quality of our intensive programs.
Book a personalised intensive therapy program for your child with Therapies For Kids
Enquire now or learn more about conditions we treat.