Why Planet Ability Supports Individuals Aged 2 to 35

When families or participants first look into Planet Ability, one of the most common questions we get is: "Why such a broad age range? How can an occupational therapy clinic support both a 2-year-old toddler and a 35-year-old adult?"

It is a great question. Traditional therapy spaces often separate people into strict categories—you’re either a paediatric clinic focused entirely on play, or an adult clinic that skips the lighthearted play side of OT. At Planet Ability, we don't believe life fits into rigid boxes.

Led by a clinical team with lived neurodivergent experience, we intentionally design our services to support individuals from 2 to 35 years old. Here is why this unique lifespan approach matters, why we built it this way, and how our 2.5-acre property in Warrandyte supports every single stage of the journey.

1. Life Transitions Don't Stop at 18

For a long time, the traditional system operated as if neurodivergent or disabled youth stopped needing support the moment they hit adulthood. But the reality is that the transition out of school and into early adulthood is one of the most intense times in a person's life.

By offering support up to age 35, we prevent "the cliff" the sudden drop-off in supportive services when a teenager turns 18. Whether our participants are navigating early childhood, high school, university, entering the workforce, or learning to live independently for the first time, we provide a consistent, neurodiversity-affirming space where they don't have to constantly hit reset with new providers who don't know their story.

2. A Space Designed for Real-Life Milestones

Our physical clinic isn't just a clinic room with a few toys. Set on a sprawling property in Warrandyte, our space was intentionally curated to reflect how individuals actually navigate everyday life across different ages.

🚀 For our youngest participants (Ages 2–12): We focus on early development, play-based therapy, fine and gross motor skills, and school readiness. Our sensory gym and outdoor nature spaces provide the ultimate canvas for play-based regulation and animal-assisted therapy with our certified therapy dog.

🚀 For our teenagers and young adults (Ages 13–35): The goals shift toward autonomy, executive functioning, and genuine community access. Because our property features a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and a tennis court, we don't just talk about daily living skills we practice them. An older participant can learn to cook a meal, manage a household routine, or practice self-regulation strategies in a low-demand, supportive environment built for older minds.

3. Future-Focused, Family-Centered Care

When we work with a 2-year-old, we are partnering closely with caregivers to ensure strategies are sustainable for everyday family life. As that child grows into a teenager and an adult, our future-focused lens helps them take the wheel of their own care.

Our lived-experience clinicians understand the immense energy it takes to navigate a world not built for neurodivergent people. We don't try to "fix" things like stimming or sensory seeking. Instead, we use our space to help individuals understand their unique profiles at age 2, age 16, or age 32, empowering them to unmask and thrive entirely on their own terms.

4. Comprehensive NDIS Evidence-Gathering Across the Lifespan

Navigating funding bodies like the NDIS requires a deep understanding of what independence looks like at every milestone. Our team is uniquely equipped to handle the distinct reporting needs of different ages, from early childhood intervention frameworks to complex Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) applications for young adults. Because we see the bigger picture of development from age 2 to 35, we know exactly how to document and advocate for the precise, rock-solid evidence needed to secure your ongoing support.

The Planet Ability Galaxy

We are proudly linked with our sister organisations, Planet Possible and Planet Oasis, sharing a unified vision: building a "galaxy" of spaces where you never have to mask who you are just to fit in.

No matter where you or your child are on the journey, whether you're discovering the ups and downs of emotional regulation at age 5, or learning to navigate a new workplace environment at 25 Planet Ability is here to walk alongside you.

Ready to take the next step? Whether it's for early childhood support, high school transitions, or independent adult goals, our waitlist is open. Contact our intake team today to find the right path for your journey.