In Australia, January is the “calm before the storm” as we anticipate the beginning of the school year (usually late Jan/early Feb). I’ve been enjoying a wonderful summer break but it is time to get organised. I’ve been decluttering and organising my office – you can see some of the results over on IG and FB as I share a tour of my office across a series of videos. I’ll share a close up here on my website in the near future but you can get a head start HERE (IG) or HERE (FB).
I’ve turned my attention to getting organised with my clients for 2026. If you have been following me for a while, you will know that I give out workbooks to each child that I see. For each new year and each new OT child; I provide a workbook to record things we do each week. We may draw or write directly into the book. I use scrapbooks that are larger than A4 as we also paste in craft activities or worksheets. This book also works as a communication tool with parents when they are not present for sessions and can be sent home with homework.
I enjoy designing new covers and the children whom I have seen over multiple years look forward to seeing what the design is for the year. Mr Z and Mr A have been with me for 7 years now (yes, that’s a LONG time). This year, I have decided to add some additional pages that can be used in flexible ways such as an “all about me” record, positive affirmations, steps to achieve a goal, drawing, etc.
Additionally, a start of the year means that a review with families and teachers is needed to set or confirm goals. My resources this year include some planning pages to ask parents and teachers about their priorities.
You can obtain the 2026 client resources (scroll through the slideshow below for a closer look) at the YKOT shop for FREE. You can also still access previous OT workbook covers.
I’m also getting myself organised with a small update to my therapy planner. This year I’ve created some pages including a “multi client” planner page… often I set out for the day as a mobile therapist and plan for the whole day. I bring a limited number of toys, games, resources and have an overall plan as to how I will us them. Most of the time, I have some children working on the same goals so it’s easier for me to plan across the day (or even week).
The other addition that I’ve included this year is a “client planner page”. I couldn’t think of a better name but basically this is my to-do-list for all clients, mostly for the beginning of the year. I might include things like – create workbook, email/phone/meet parents, confirm goals, check funding, review consent forms, contact school, complete school paperwork, etc.
The 2026 planner contains neutral interior papers. It is undated and you can print the pages on demand.
- 1 quote page
- Therapist details
- Important contacts
- Yearly overview
- Therapeutic use of self-reflection
- Personal reflection
- CPD record
- Supervision records x 2
- Daily, weekly, monthly schedules
- Client list
- Client attendance
- Client planner page
- Goal tracker
- Session planner x 3
- Waiting list and Intake form
- To do list
- Projects page
- Resource wish list
- Notes pages: dot grid, blank, lined
- 2026 Calendar page (with Australian holidays)
I know that I may be in the minority here with a paper planner, however you can also use ADOBE to insert information on the PDF file. Scroll through the slideshow below to see the contents of the planner.
What do you have planned? Do you have any professional development goals? How will you achieve occupational balance?
Are you a parent/teacher who wants to know about something in particular (if so, I’m impressed if you have made it through this article but you can download the free resource to use with your child too)?
Make sure you download the FREE client resources and check out the therapy planner too.
I would love to know how you use the “flexible pages” or if you want to share any of your answers to the questions. Let me know by tagging @yourkidsot on social media or email me [email protected].
Until next time,
Cindy
