The Centre for Developing Children (CFDC) is committed to promoting growth and development in children and young people through high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy. CFDC’s supportive and inclusive environment empowers individuals aged 0-25 years to reach their full potential. By building meaningful connections, CFDC lays the foundation for lifelong growth. The centre is dedicated to inspiring positive change and creating opportunities for all children and young people to thrive.
Every child learns differently, and our interventions are tailored to match their unique strengths and needs.
We believe learning happens best through connection, curiosity, and fun.
Our professionals bring experience, warmth, and a deep commitment to each child’s success.
Growth happens in and beyond our sessions. By providing caregivers with practical strategies, we ensure families feel confident in supporting their child’s development every day.
Support for children ages 0-6 to develop key motor, sensory, and cognitive skills.
Tailored interventions to help children and young adults manage emotional and psychological challenges.
ASI supports the brain’s ability to process and organise sensory information, improving regulation, motor planning, and participation in everyday activities.
Strategies to improve focus, attention, and participation in educational settings.
Developing essential daily living skills for children and young adults to promote independence.
Helping young adults (16-25) navigate the transition to independent living and employment.
We assess everyday functioning and prescribe assistive technology to support independence, safety, and meaningful participation.
Feeding assessment and intervention to support children with food exploration, oral motor skills, sensory sensitivities, and positive mealtime participation.
Support for children ages 0-6 to develop key motor, sensory, and cognitive skills.
Tailored interventions to help children and young adults manage emotional and psychological challenges.
Techniques to help children process and respond to sensory input for improved daily functioning.
Strategies to improve focus, attention, and participation in educational settings.
Helping young adults (16-25) navigate the transition to independent living and employment.
Developing essential daily living skills for children and young adults to promote independence.
Feeding assessment and intervention to support children with food exploration, oral motor skills, sensory sensitivities, and positive mealtime participation.
We provide comprehensive functional capacity assessments to understand how an individual manages everyday activities, alongside assistive technology assessments and prescriptions to support independence, safety, and participation. These assessments inform therapy planning and NDIS decision-making ensuring supports are appropriate and evidence-based.
Our Foundations of Development at CFDC guides our therapy and ensures comprehensive, evidence-based support:
We create a warm, welcoming, and supportive space where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged.
Genuine, trusting relationships with children and families are at the heart of our work. We use DIR Floortime® principles to foster emotional and relational growth.
We specialise in Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) to support sensory processing, motor planning, and emotional regulation.
We help children understand and manage their emotions using cognitive, mindfulness, and sensory regulation strategies, empowering them with skills for everyday life.
Our Foundations of Development at CFDC guides our therapy and ensures comprehensive, evidence-based support:
We create a warm, welcoming, and supportive space where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged.
Genuine, trusting relationships with children and families are at the heart of our work. We use DIR Floortime® principles to foster emotional and relational growth.
We specialise in Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) to support sensory processing, motor planning, and emotional regulation.
We help children understand and manage their emotions using cognitive, mindfulness, and sensory regulation strategies, empowering them with skills for everyday life.
Every child has incredible potential, and with the right support, they can grow, learn, and thrive in their own unique way. As a paediatric occupational therapist, I founded the Centre for Developing Children in 2025 to create a place where children feel understood, families feel empowered, and progress is always celebrated.
At CFDC, we focus on what’s possible. I developed The Foundations of Development at CFDC to guide our child-centred approach—blending my expertise in child development, sensory processing, and mental health to provide personalised, evidence-based support. Whether it’s helping children build confidence in daily activities, strengthening their emotional regulation, or supporting their sensory needs, we meet each child where they are and build from their strengths.
Beyond clinical practice, I am committed to mentoring future therapists and fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality care. At CFDC, our focus is on empowering children and young adults with the confidence and skills to navigate life’s challenges. It is a privilege to be part of a community where families are supported, strengths are nurtured, and every step forward is valued.
Raquel Baptista, Cert. ASI®, MOT, BHealthSci (Hons I)
Founder & Principal Occupational Therapist
Every child has incredible potential, and with the right support, they can grow, learn, and thrive in their own unique way. As a paediatric occupational therapist, I founded the Centre for Developing Children in 2025 to create a place where children feel understood, families feel empowered, and progress is always celebrated.
At CFDC, we focus on what’s possible. I developed The Foundations of Development at CFDC to guide our child-centred approach—blending my expertise in child development, sensory processing, and mental health to provide personalised, evidence-based support. Whether it’s helping children build confidence in daily activities, strengthening their emotional regulation, or supporting their sensory needs, we meet each child where they are and build from their strengths.
Beyond clinical practice, I am committed to mentoring future therapists and fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality care. At CFDC, our focus is on empowering children and young adults with the confidence and skills to navigate life’s challenges. It is a privilege to be part of a community where families are supported, strengths are nurtured, and every step forward is valued.
Raquel Baptista, Cert. ASI®, MOT, BHealthSci (Hons I)
Founder & Principal Occupational Therapist
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© Centre For Developing Children 2025