Vivienne Williams (Principal OT)

Vivienne is the founder and Principal Occupational Therapist of Kids Matters Occupational Therapy. She graduated from The University of Queensland in 1997 and has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through paediatric occupational therapy. 

With extensive experience supporting children from toddlerhood through to adolescence, Vivienne brings a wealth of clinical knowledge, curiosity, and passion to her work. She has a particular interest in supporting children with complex developmental, sensory, emotional, behavioural, and learning needs, while helping families better understand their child’s strengths and challenges. 

Alongside leading the Kids Matters team, Vivienne continues to work directly with children and families. She combines her extensive clinical experience with a warm, relationship-focused approach, ensuring therapy is meaningful, individualised, and focused on helping children reach their potential. 

Vivienne’s primary role at Kids Matters is supporting her team and the families they work with to reach their potential. Since beginning her Occupational Therapy career in 1998 and specialising in paediatrics in 1999, Vivienne has been passionate about helping children, families, and therapists discover their strengths and achieve meaningful outcomes. 

As the founder and Principal Occupational Therapist of Kids Matters, Vivienne provides clinical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to a team of skilled therapists. She oversees the development of the practice, including staff support, training, clinical processes, and service quality, ensuring both her team and the families they support feel empowered to thrive. 

Clinically, Vivienne brings over 29 years of training and experience supporting children with a wide range of developmental, sensory, emotional, behavioural, and learning needs. 

Throughout her career, Vivienne has supported children and families across a broad range of developmental presentations. She has worked with children from toddlerhood through to adolescence and has extensive experience supporting: 

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• ADHD
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Sensory Processing Differences
• Emotional and Behavioural Regulation
• Executive Function Difficulties
• Developmental Delays
• Intellectual Impairment
• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
• Gross and Fine Motor Coordination Difficulties
• Handwriting Difficulties
• Learning Differences and Dyslexia
• Play Skills and Development
• Attachment and Relationship Difficulties
• Parenting Support and Coaching
• Feeding Difficulties 

• Circle of Security parenting course (COSP)
• Developing Pretend Play Skills in Children – Advanced by Karen Stagnitti
• Social Thinking Informal Dynamic Assessment and Core Treatment Strategies for Home and School by Michelle Garcia Winner and Dr Pamela J crooke
• Executive Functioning by Michelle Garcia Winner and Dr Pamela J Crooke
• Profectum Certificate in DIR/ Floortime and the Foundational Capacities of Development
• Therapeutic Listening
• Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol
• SOS Approach to Picky Eaters and Problem Feeders, Kay Toomey and Erin Ross Relevant Training
• Clinical Assessment and Practical Intervention for Praxis: From Ideation to Execution by Dr. Teresa A. May-Benson
• Astronaut Training: Integrated Visual-Vestibular Screening and Treatment Strategies by Mary Kawar
• Brain-Based clinical applications to ASD, CAPD, ADHD and dyslexia
• OT approaches with children and adolescents with ASD
• The DIR/ Floortime Model introductory Training and mentoring
• Cognitive Orientation Occupational Performance workshop
• Sensory Defensiveness – 2 Advanced training
• Advanced Clinical Reasoning: Integrating Sensory Integration Model with DIR/ Floor-time (with Colleen Hacker)
• Advanced Clinical Reasoning: Introduction to DIR/Floortime
• Visual Perception Intensive training
• M.O.R.E. Integrating the mouth with sensory and postural functions
• Sensory Defensiveness: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach, Posture, Gross Motor and Fine Motor Co-ordination
• Getting Kids in Sync – Genevieve Jereb
• Brain Gym
• Introduction to Relationship Development Intervention
• Triple P Positive Parenting Program – Level 4 Group
• Play Theory and Practice – Anita Bundy
• Sensory Integration Treatment Course for Advanced Occupational Therapist
• Sensory Integration and Praxis Course – Theory Component
• Learn to Play – Karen Stagnitti
• Mental Health Endorsement through OT Australia

Vivienne takes a warm, family-centred, and individualised approach to therapy. She believes that understanding the whole child, including their strengths, relationships, environment, and experiences, is essential to creating meaningful change. 

Vivienne prioritises relationship, regulation, and engagement before therapy begins. She takes the time to understand children and families, building trust and connection so children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. 

For older children and families, Vivienne often uses a coaching approach, helping children develop insight, problem-solving skills, and strategies to navigate everyday challenges. For younger children, she draws on her extensive developmental knowledge to support foundational skills including play, motor development, sensory processing, and participation. 

By working collaboratively with families, Vivienne develops practical strategies that can be integrated into everyday life and tailored to each child’s individual needs and goals.

Vivienne comes from a large family and is a proud mum herself, giving her a genuine appreciation for the joys and challenges of family life. Her personal experiences, combined with decades of clinical practice, have shaped her compassionate and practical approach to supporting families. 

Outside of work, Vivienne enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring creative activities, cooking for others, and continuing to learn through self-development books and novels. She also loves spending time outdoors through hiking, camping, and horse riding. 

Vivienne is passionate about seeing children discover their strengths and achieve things they may not have thought possible. She loves witnessing moments of connection, growth, and confidence – whether that is a child becoming more engaged, developing new skills, building relationships, or participating more fully in everyday activities. 

She is also passionate about sharing knowledge with families, therapists, and the wider community, helping others understand children through a strengths-based and compassionate lens. 

Vivienne enjoys getting lost in fantasy novels, especially the Harry Potter series, as well as books by Emily Rodda including the Deltora Quest series. She loves creating interesting and delicious meals for family and friends and can often be found enjoying time outdoors or on horseback. 

Sometimes, despite our best efforts you or the therapist may find that you are not a good fit. If your therapist feels that he or she is not best suited to you, he/ she will discuss this with you and recommend a more appropriate therapist. We will then offer you a discounted first session with a new more appropriate therapist at Kids Matters.

If you feel that your therapist is not a good fit within the first three sessions, simply discuss this with our admin team who will find a more suitable therapist.