About me

Hello, I’m Mabel! I’m a paediatric occupational therapist, and what I love most about my work is helping children feel capable, confident and understood.

I’ve always known I wanted a career helping people. While I was at university, I shadowed a few different professions, and that’s where I discovered occupational therapy. I was sold by the idea that OT can support people across the whole lifespan.

I grew up between Singapore and Australia, and went to high school and university in South Australia. I’ve been practising since 2017, and these days I work in international schools and at Rise Kids and Teens in Buona Vista.

Outside of work, you can most likely find me at the climbing gym, or the regular gym. Rock climbing is one of my favourite sports, and something I often recommend to parents, as it has many benefits, and many families enjoy it. Perhaps something I’ll write about one day!

Qualifications and training

Qualification

Master of Occupational Therapy, University of South Australia

Training and continuing education

Social Thinking
Handwriting Without Tears
DIR Floortime 101
USC Chan Sensory Integration CE Certificate Program
- Theoretical Foundations of Sensory Integration: From Theory to Identification
- Sensory Integration Evaluation and Clinical Reasoning: From Identification to Intervention
- Sensory Integration Treatment: From Intervention to Participation
AHPC Supervisor Training Workshop

I'm registered with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) in Singapore and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Experience

I’ve been practising since 2017, and my work has taken me through a wide range of settings: early intervention centres, mainstream preschools, a paediatric intensive therapy centre, aged care facilities, and mental health settings (a private clinic, an acute hospital and community groups).

I also worked as a Key Worker in Singapore, an experience that shaped me into an advocate for inclusion.

I’m a firm believer in coaching and empowering families and teachers to carry out intervention strategies at home and at school. When support continues in a child’s natural environment, it can help carry the gains made in therapy forward.

Though brief, my time at a paediatric intensive therapy centre gave me experience providing individualised, intensive treatment for children with neurological and physical needs, supporting each child to take part as fully as they can.

I work with children and adolescents one-to-one, in groups, and through centre-based and school-based support. I have experience with a wide range of needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, Sensory Processing Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, Cerebral Palsy, Genetic Disorders and Muscular Dystrophy, as well as children with Learning Difficulties.

How school-based and clinic-based OT help children

Both settings matter, and they do different things well.

School-based OT happens where the child spends most of their day. I can see how they manage the classroom, and daily routines, and work alongside teachers so that strategies fit naturally into lessons and school life.
Clinic-based OT offers a quieter, more focused space with dedicated one-to-one time. It suits building specific skills in more depth, working on sensory integration and working closely with families on what helps at home.

In my experience, working across both settings can support families and children well.

What to expect when we meet

When we first meet, my first priority is to listen. I want you to feel that your worries have been heard. I’ll explain what occupational therapy is, and what it can look like for your child and your family, so you know what to expect before we begin. From there, we’ll work out together how I can best support your child, and you.

Some days are wonderful: a child is hitting their goals, understands their body, and knows what it needs without a grown-up’s prompting. That’s a huge satisfaction. Other sessions might not go as smoothly, and that’s part of the process too. Walking alongside children and parents through the harder moments is some of the most rewarding work I do.

Why I speak up

I trained in Australia, where allied health is well established and making places accessible for everyone is a real part of the culture. Working in Singapore, where allied health is still growing, feels different, and it’s been so encouraging to watch the profession develop and more places become accessible.

I’m excited to be part of this journey, and I’ll keep speaking up for the profession here in Singapore and across Asia Pacific, so that more children and families can get the support they need.

What I write about

I started this site and my Instagram, @msoccupationaltherapy, to share more about paediatric OT and to speak up for more equitable access to therapy support across Singapore and Asia Pacific.

For parents: what OT is and what your child's behaviour might be telling you.
For teachers and schools: practical, classroom-friendly understanding of how children learn, move and regulate.
For therapists: honest reflections on practising across school and clinic settings.

My writing focuses on systems and patterns. I don't share stories or details about individual children, families or schools.

Where I work

I work with Rise Kids and Teens, Buona Vista, where I see clients at the centre. I also provide therapy services in international schools through Rise. The views on this site are my own and don't speak for my employer or any organisation I work with. See the contact page for how to book.

Content on this site is educational and isn't individual clinical advice. Read the full disclaimer.