Meet Steff
Hi I’m Steff Bee. I’m a registered occupational therapist, and I’ve been working with children and families in Australia and the United Kingdom for the past 16 years.
I have extensive experience working with children with developmental delays, behavioural difficulties, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, joint hypermobility, handwriting difficulties, mental health difficulties and children and young people who have experienced trauma.
I work from a neuro-affirming perspective. I have been working with children who identify as having Autism, ADHD and and other neurodivergent conditions throughout my career, working from an evidence-based and strength based approaches.
I use functional, goal-directed interventions when working with children, young people, and their families. I am certified to use the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance approach (CO-OP Approach™), a performance-based treatment approach for people experiencing difficulties performing the skills they want to, need to, or are expected to perform.
When I work with a child and family, we don’t focus on their diagnosis. The focus is on the skill or activity they are wanting support to participate in.
As well as being an OT, I am a mum of three. My parenting journey continues to help guide how I practice as an OT, and how I interact with the children and families I work with.
Steff’s occupational therapy history
I have worked in a variety of settings including private practices, hospitals, schools and early intervention services, both in Australia and the United Kingdom.
I have worked with children and young people with varying physical, mental and intellectual disabilities, difficulties, and impairments. I have worked in a variety of settings including early intervention, schools and preschools, community health, and private practice settings.
I started Clever Bees in 2016. I work predominantly with children with significant disabilities who are NDIS participants, as well as younger children with developmental concerns, and children who have a trauma background. My clinical area of interest is working with young children and their families to achieve their developmental goals.
I am also a Witness Intermediary on the Victims Services panel. I have been working as a Witness Intermediary since 2016 as part of the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program (CSOEP). I regularly accept interviews to assist during police interviews, and with court matters.
Steff’s qualifications
I graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). MyHonours project investigated the impact of stability balls and discs on mainstream primary students’ sensory responses and handwriting outcomes. I presented this research at the Occupational Therapy Australia’s 24th National Conference on the Gold Coast.
I also completed my Masters of Advanced Occupational Therapy (from La Trobe University). My research thesis titled ‘Examining the goal-setting practices of occupational therapists working with children with coordination difficulties’ was developed from my interest and passion working on goal-directed interventions.
