CPD EMPOWER: Understanding Child Development & Assessment Fundamentals for 0-5 years
This interactive two-day workshop is designed for occupational therapists working with children aged 0–5 years. Day one builds a strong foundation in early child development, while day two focuses on practical assessment skills and tools. With a blend of evidence-based knowledge, clinical insights, and hands-on strategies, you’ll leave with greater confidence to support children and families in your practice.
Program Overview
CPD Empower
This workshop is part of CPD Empower - OTA’s national CPD event series offering in-depth, OT-specific workshops across key areas of practice. Designed for both experienced clinicians and those ready to stretch themselves, each workshop stream delivers high quality immersive learning, expert facilitation, and practical insights you can take straight back into your work. For more information about the full CPD Empower experience, visit https://otaus.com.au/cpd-empower
Workshop Overview
Supporting children in their earliest years requires a strong understanding of both developmental milestones and effective assessment. This workshop will equip occupational therapists with the essential knowledge and skills to work confidently with children aged 0–5, whether you’re new to paediatric practice or looking to refresh your expertise. Across two days, you’ll deepen your understanding of child development, occupational performance, and the key factors that influence participation and engagement. You’ll also explore assessment tools, principles, and practical strategies to guide your clinical reasoning and communication with families and other professionals. With guidance from experienced paediatric OTs and opportunities for discussion, this workshop offers the knowledge, skills, and a clear framework to guide your practice with young children and their families.
Day 1:Understanding Child Development
What you will learn:
- Understand how child development informs occupational therapy practice
- Build knowledge and understanding of the relationship between a child’s development and their occupational performance, participation and engagement
- Identify the key principles and factors that influence child development
- Gain knowledge of the developmental stages from 0-5 years, including the progression of primitive reflexes, posture, large movements, fine motor skills, visual perception, cognition, social behaviour, play, and self-care
- Explore concepts of self-regulation, attention, emotional development, attachment, temperament, and the growth of self-awareness
- Examine the role of occupational therapy in supporting children’s development and address specific challenges in paediatric practice.
Day 2: Assessment
What you will learn:
- Build your knowledge in key assessment principles, tools and methods for occupational therapists working with 0-5 year olds
- Explore different assessments for this client group including when and why you might use them
- Grow your skills in writing reports that clearly communicate your assessment findings
- Be able to explain the occupational therapy role to parents, children, and other professionals.
- Explore practical strategies of putting your gained knowledge into practice
- Have your questions answered by our workshop presenters, who are experienced paediatric occupational therapists
This session is suitable for:
This session is suitable for occupational therapists at all career stages who would like to improve their knowledge and skills in paediatric feeding assessment and intervention.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Thursday 26th March – Friday 27th March 2026 (2 days)
TIME:
Thursday 26th March 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday 27th March 9:00am – 5:00pm
Registration commences at 8:30am each day
VENUE
Crowne Plaza, 1-5 Spencer Street, Melbourne
CPD HOURS
Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 13 hours
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker.
INCLUSIONS:
The following are included in your registration:
- Tea & Coffee on arrival
- Daily Catering - Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (please note any dietary requirements at time of registration)
- Networking event ('Power Hour') 5:00pm - 6:00pm
REGISTRATION FEES
OTA MEMBERS
EARLYBIRD – $ 765 (Book on or before 2nd February 2026)
STANDARD – $849 (Book on or after 3rd February 2026)
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
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NON-MEMBERS: $1099 – Book by 13th March 2026
Early Bird prices are not available for non-members
RSVPS close 13th March 2026
Note: All pricing is inclusive of GST
DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By
Frances Dobson
Frances Dobson graduated from Cumberland College of Health Sciences (now The University of Sydney) in 1979 and obtained a Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) specialising in developmental disabilities through the University of Sydney in 2001. Since 1981 Frances has had the privilege of working as an occupational therapist with children and families in a range of settings and specialist multi-disciplinary teams. These have included services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and families experiencing psycho-social disadvantage. Her particular areas of clinical interest include babies and young children, children with developmental delays, children with Autism, and families impacted by trauma. Frances has a strong commitment to collaborative and family-centred practice, and to strengths-based and capacity building approaches. Frances has been active in continuing her own professional development as well as providing education and mentoring to other occupational therapists.
Olivia Jackson
Olivia Jackson has a BAppSc (OT) and MHlthSc (OT), both through the University of Sydney. She has over 30 years experience working with children 0-18 years with a wide range of disabilities and diagnoses, within community settings and using a variety of models of service delivery. Olivia has owned and operated her private practice, Occupational Therapy Paediatric Services, since 2004 and employs a team of therapists and allied health assistants. Olivia has a particular interest in supporting children and their families with complex needs as well as advocating for the role of therapy in schools Olivia is completing her PhD at The University of Sydney, with her research topic focused on mentorship and its role in paediatric practice in Australia. She regularly mentors and supervises paediatric occupational therapists externally. Olivia has a strong commitment to continuing professional development.