Understanding Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Before looking into navigating an ADHD diagnosis, it’s first important to understand what ADHD actually is. ADHD is defined in the DSM-V as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. There are three subtypes within ADHD including primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive or a combined presentation of inattentive and hyperactive. While ADHD can have impacts on children’s ability to focus, control impulses and ..read more

Transitioning to high school is a significant milestone in a child’s life. It can be both exciting and challenging as they navigate new academic demands, social dynamics, and increased responsibilities. Occupational therapists can provide guidance and support to help teens navigate these changes effectively. Here’s how occupational therapy can support your child during this critical period: Developing Organisational Skills High school often requires a higher level of organisation compared to primary school. Students need to manage multiple subjects, homework, projects, and extracurricular acti ..read more

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is one of the fundamental primitive reflexes that babies are born with. These reflexes are automatic responses to certain stimuli, and they play a crucial role in early development. When a baby turns its head to the right or left, typically in response to a sound or visual cue, the ATNR kicks in. If the baby is lying on their back and turns their head to one side, the arm on that side will extend while the opposite arm flexes inward. There’s often some coordination between leg and arm movements, though leg movements are usually less noticeable. ATNR de ..read more

As occupational therapists, we understand the crucial role that independent living skills play in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Developing these functional skills is essential for all teenagers. These skills enable individuals to function independently, enhancing their quality of life and fostering a sense of autonomy. This blog post will delve into the importance of independent living skills for teenagers, and how mastering these skills can significantly benefit them and their families. What Are Independent Living Skills? Independent living skills encompass a range of skills n ..read more

In the realm of occupational therapy, practitioners often find themselves supporting children with intricate medical conditions such as Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Individuals with this complex medication condition are born with a genetic difference in their 22nd chromosome, where there is a deletion or change in the variant. Alternatively, PMS can also be referred to as 22q13 deletion syndrome as a result of the location of the genetic change in the body. Chromosome 22 contains hundreds of genes that provide instructions for making proteins that perform various roles in the body. When a p ..read more

Many children who participate in occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy, or psychology often engage in multiple therapies for several years on a regular basis. While these therapies are incredibly beneficial and are important in supporting a child to reaching their goals, it is not uncommon for children to experience “therapy burnout” after some time. Therapy burnout refers to the physical, emotional, and mental fatigue that can occur due to prolonged participation in and related to therapeutic work.  Therapy burnout is a normal experience but can be avoided by being aware of ..read more

Handwriting is a crucial skill, however for some children, handwriting or literacy tasks are difficult and discouraging, which often leads to poor engagement in homework and handwriting practice at home. This blog will explore some unique ways in which you can support your child to participate in handwriting tasks that are fun, engaging and motivating.  Make it a challenge Adding a challenge in which provides a sense of achievement can promote engagement in learning tasks within the home. Easily set up a scavenger hunt by hiding pictures or words around the room, house, or garden for the ..read more

As delved into the challenges and nuances of visual impairments, the blog post The role of OT in supporting children with visual impairments – Occupational Therapy Helping Children explained some of the complexities people face and the importance of understanding its impact on children’s daily life. In Australia, approximately 1 in every 2,500 newborns are expected to be diagnosed with significant vision impairment. Whether you are supporting a family member, a student, or a client, this blog post will share some general tips and strategies to support a child with a visual impairment, consider ..read more

What are Specific Learning Disorders Specific Learning disorders are types of neurodevelopmental disorders that impact on one or more cognitive processes required for reading, written expression or mathematical calculations. Due to difficulties processing information, children diagnosed with specific learning disorders are likely to experience a gap between their academic potential and their actual achievement and may also require support with time management, organisation and social skills.   Types of Specific Learning Disorders The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disor ..read more

Embarking on the journey to become an occupational therapist (OT) is a rewarding and fulfilling path, requiring dedication, education, and ongoing commitment to professional growth. As a parent seeking to understand the profession or as someone considering a career change, you may have questions about what it takes to become an OT. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps involved in pursuing a career in occupational therapy, from educational requirements to practical experiences and beyond. Education Requirements: Becoming an occupational therapist in Australia requires a comprehen ..read more