Our mission

Bridging Families, Schools, and Therapists to Support the Whole Child

At Gabadoo, we are dedicated to providing practical and sustainable support for families and schools that is rooted in real-life experience and professional practice. We believe that every child’s growth is best nurtured through a blended approach—offering parents and teachers real-time guidance while ensuring accessibility to therapeutic services when they are needed most.

Gabadoo was co-Founded by Jessica Kennedy, a highly experienced occupational therapist. Gabadoo is built on advocacy, curiosity, and the belief that skill development is a process, not a checklist. We recognise that therapists and educators bring different strengths, and we are committed to bridging those perspectives to ensure children are supported holistically. By blending expertise, fostering collaboration, and championing the whole child, Gabadoo helps create meaningful, lasting change for children, their families, and their learning communities.

Jess Kennedy - Senior OT & Co-Founder

"When we started Gabadoo, our goal was simple — to make Occupational Therapy accessible, practical, and relevant for the everyday challenges families and schools face. As an OT, I’ve seen first-hand how the right strategies can transform not just a child’s learning and confidence, but the wellbeing of whole families and classrooms. My passion is to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and real-life needs, so that parents, teachers, and communities feel supported every step of the way."

Funded & Strategic Initiatives

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‍Trauma-Informed Practice OT Support Programme delivered across preschool and primary school settings as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Cork North initiative.

‍National Trauma-Informed Training Initiative delivered alongside the Well Schools Network in partnership with Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), supporting schools to build regulation-informed and relationship-based practices.

‍School-Based Occupational Therapy Support delivered to a number of DEIS schools in Cork through the Let’s Grow Together funded initiative (2014/2015), focusing on inclusive and practical classroom supports.

‍Funded Community Sensory Initiative delivering sensory equipment demonstration videos, parent talks, and practical workshops through Cork City and County library services.

‍Funded Occupational Therapy Consultation Programme with Togher Family Centre, providing guidance on environment design, universal supports, sensory-informed practice, and neuro-affirming approaches (2026).

‍Spark Innovation-Funded Rollout of Octobox, a play-based telehealth programme across Limerick services, supporting 100 families through accessible occupational therapy intervention.

‍Innovation and Pilot Support through Health Innovation Hub Ireland for the development of the My OT & Me telehealth model and digital occupational therapy innovation.
View Initiative

Making OT Accessible for All

Bridging Families, Schools, and Therapists to Support the Whole Child

Funded & Strategic Initiatives