You’re never too old to play, but did you know that playing is an important part of a child’s development? There are different play skills that children learn from infancy throughout their childhood that are crucial to social, psychological, and physical development that can affect…
A growing number of parents are finding that Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme doesn’t cover their child’s needs especially if they have high functioning Autism or ADHD. If you’re one of these parents, you’ve likely noticed that the resources necessary to help develop your child’s…
Is ADHD Bad? All kids lose attention and act impulsively from time to time. However, a child who frequently exhibits inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and hypersensitivity might be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But contrary to popular belief, ADHD is not necessarily “bad.” Although…
Going to appointments can sometimes be a pain. There is time spent driving there and in the waiting room. If you have children, this can also increase the amount of time getting them reading, putting them in the car and entertaining them during this whole…
As a parent of a child who needs occupational therapy, you know the commitments required. The time spent traveling back and forth, taking time from work or from other obligations, and the need for your child to adjust to a new setting all complicate the…
As an Occupational Therapist, I often work with children who have difficulty following instructions. One of the strategies I often use is called “Controlled Choices”. Controlled choices is where the adult presents the child with two or more options. For example, the child needs to…
In April 2019, Australia’s Department of Health released new guidelines for children and young people, aged 5 to 17 years. This document outlines the levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen time and sleep a child should receive. Below is a summary of the points…
As Occupational Therapists, we often get asked questions like “So you help people get back to work after an injury? “So, that’s kind of like a physiotherapist?” “So, that’s like Occupational Health and Safety?” As Occupational Therapists, we get asked “What is Occupational Therapy” all…
Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain – unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10-20 repetitions. Research indicate that it is easier to learn through play, but…
Do you want your child to learn their alphabet but often find it difficult for them to focus? How often do you feel like a broken record, telling your children to practice handwriting? Well, handwriting is a hard task. It requires a combination of complex…