Wattle Tree Therapy

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Wattle Tree Therapy

🖐🏽 Play + Child Development
🌿 Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
✨ Parenting Support

23/08/2025

F I R S T - W E - B U I L D - I T

Join us by endorsing our response to Thriving Kids

On 20 August 2025, Minister Butler announced the Thriving Kids initiative, shifting children with disability, developmental delay, neurodivergence, and developmental vulnerabilities out of the NDIS into a $2 billion “foundational supports” program.

While ambitious, Reimagine along with many other advocates, peak bodies, parents, carers, and practitioners are concerned the proposal risks harm: it was not co-designed with families or practitioners, it underfunds the scale of need, and it places children into systems that are already failing.

Reimagine Australia has released our collective response: “First, We Build It” — a call to pause, co-design, and rebuild early childhood supports in ways that are inclusive, safe, and grounded in human rights and disability justice.

You can read our DRAFT Position Statement; First, We Build It here:https://reimagine.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DRAFT-First-We-Build-It.pdf

We are inviting families, practitioners, organisations, and allies to endorse this statement. Endorsements will be included in our submission to the Minister, amplifying our united call for restorative reform.

If you share our concerns and vision, please take a moment to complete this form. By endorsing the statement, you add your voice to a growing coalition calling for reform that is co-designed, inclusive, and grounded in justice. Whether you are a parent, professional, community leader, or ally — your support matters.

Add your details here, by COB Friday 22 August, 2025, to become a co-signatory: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Hh9W6eknDT6tR7SiJ9WXaYNUn3zmYuoHyhO1-RFisitPdg/viewform

We have a short window of opportunity to make an impact, so please share this information widely amongst any networks you have across early childhood.

24/06/2025

PUBLIC STATEMENT ON NDIS PRICING ARRANGEMENTS AND QUARTERLY FUNDING PERIODS

There have been some recent significant changes introduced to the NDIS pricing arrangements, as well as the introduction of quarterly funding periods.

These changes are already affecting participants, and the advocacy bodies are working to have your voices heard. To this end, Reimagine is a proud co-signatory to the Every Australian Counts Statement.

However, given what you have told us about the impact of these changes directly on children and families, and that they are already being deeply felt, we have developed our own statement specific to children with disability, developmental delay, and neurodivergence.

If you would like to add your organisation as a co-signatory to the Reimagine Australia Statement, please email us at ceo@reimagine.org.au

You can access our statement here:

https://reimagine.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RA-STATEMENT-NDIS-PRICING-ARRANGEMENTS-AND-QUARTERLY-FUNDING-PERIODS.pdf

20/06/2025

Amid reports of patients waiting months and paying thousands of dollars for an ADHD diagnosis, the state government will allow GPs to diagnose the disorder in an effort to speed up the process.

02/09/2024

We're sharing this insightful visuals from Michelle at , which highlights the importance of understanding and addressing unmet needs.

Michelle’s message is simple yet powerful: the last time your child had a meltdown, or the last time you felt overwhelmed—what was the unmet need?

Body Needs: These are the basics—food, water, sleep, and pain management. When these needs aren’t met, it’s no wonder our ability to “cope”diminishes.

Emotional Needs: Feeling seen, understood, and having a sense of purpose are crucial. Unmet emotional needs can lead to feelings of disconnection and misunderstanding.

Social Needs: Connection, belonging, and not feeling isolated are essential for everyone. Ensuring we have ways to communicate and feel connected can prevent overwhelm.

Safety Needs: Trusting those around us, having a calm environment, and knowing how to ask for help are key to feeling safe. When these needs are unmet, anxiety can increase.

Sensory Needs: Each person’s sensory needs are unique. Whether it’s managing noise levels, not feeling rushed, or having tools to help with sensory overload, meeting these needs is crucial.

Michelle reminds us that knowing our needs—and meeting them when we can—is a great way to reduce overwhelm and foster a sense of well-being.

We also recognise that for many of us, especially those who’ve spent a long time not knowing what our needs are, how to get in tune with them, or have the spoons and safety to have them met, this can be difficult.

Sometimes, we also face the challenge of competing needs within our own circle—whether between family members, friends, or within ourselves. It’s important to acknowledge these complexities and work towards finding a balance that honours everyone’s needs as best we can - but it can be so hard!

What do you think? Are there unmet needs that could be at the root of your or your child’s last challenging moment?

Link to Wattle Tree Therapy:

https://www.instagram.com/wattletreetherapy?igsh=MTlkMGtzdHQ1cDgwbA==

31/08/2024

The last meltdown your child had… the last time you were overwhelmed. What was the unmet need?

Knowing needs, and meeting them when we can, is a great way to reduce overwhelm.

What do you think?

Michelle 🌿 Paediatric + Parent Support OT

10/04/2024

At some point along the way, being noticeably different became synonymous with deficits, or disorders.

But that’s untrue!

Humankind is diverse.

We have differences in our bodies, minds, the way we process and respond to the world. Differences in what brings us joy and purpose.

That’s not to say that being or feeling different is always easy. But it’s not wrong, or disordered, or a deficit.

My auditory processing differences can be frustrating to live with! At the same time though, auditory processing differences help me notice the little things in life, they’re part of who I am.

💚

Michelle - Paediatric & Parent Support OT

08/02/2024

I say this to my kids every day. “Listen to your body”.

It helps them notice and trust the feelings and sensations inside their body. This is called “interoception”.

We can’t self-regulate without first understanding how we feel.

By saying this, I’m not trying to change how they feel. They’re the experts of their own experiences. I say this phrase in everyday situations to simply bring awareness to their interoception.

Therefore, I wouldn’t necessarily use this phrase when a child is dysregulated (upset, scared, having big feelings). That’s a moment for co-regulation - which I’ll cover in future posts.

Can you think of any other situations where this phrase could be helpful?

Michelle - Paediatric and Parent Support OT 🌿

25/01/2024

Transitions ✨

I’ve recently celebrated my baby’s 1st birthday. It came with mixed emotions…
✨ Joy, gratitude, pride, happiness
✨ Sadness at time passing (she’s my last baby, and my “baby” is gone)

This photo from just after her birth just got me teary 🥺.

It’s so common to feel this MESS of mixed emotions as a parent. The word for this is “ambivalence”. Or maybe you prefer “bittersweet”.

The transitions are many:
✨ Becoming a Mum
✨ Baby milestones - first word, first steps
✨ Birthdays
✨ Starting daycare, preschool, school

Many parents are going through transitions at the moment, along with their kids.

Often we put all our energy into helping our kids through these transitions to starting daycare or school…

Here to say… take some time to acknowledge what this transition means to you too 💚

How do you feel about your little one starting daycare, kindy or school? Excited? Nervous? Sad?

Is your child starting a new venture this week or next? Let me know below 👇🏼

Michelle - Paediatric + Parent Support OT 🌿

10/01/2024

A novel study explores the curious phenomenon of why the majority of people prefer cradling a baby in the crook of their left arm.

07/01/2024

Touched out?🖐🏼🫠

Your sensory system is always on and working. It’s job is to keep us safe. Everything that touches our skin is processed and sorted by our bodies and brain.

Repeated touch can contribute to feeling “touched out” and overwhelmed. Many parents experience this for the first time when they have kids.

Try these clothing swaps to reduce the burden of touch on your body.

Here’s your permission to throw out all the clothes that don’t fit your body now, and go shopping! 🛍️💅🏻

What’s your favourite comfy clothing? Mine is my dressing gown…

Michelle - OT 🌿

30/12/2023

Holy moly, I know how hard it is to stay calm yourself when your child is having a moment…

Toddler: “Mum, I want toast”

Me *gives toast exactly as requested*

Toddler: hurls plate, which is the ‘wrong’ colour, because the toast is the ‘wrong’ shape, runs away crying

🫠🫠🫠

This is my mantra for 2024.

I’m going to meet my child where she is at.

I’m going to accept, this is real for her, and this moment is temporary.

I don’t need to rush her out of this stage. I don’t need to force things on her. I don’t need to do anything much, but “be with” her.

This concept of “acceptance” is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which is an evidence-based intervention that can bring benefits to mental health and help people navigate life’s challenges.

▶️ Follow along with me in 2024, let’s do this!

🌿 Michelle - OT

Address

Adelaide, SA

Telephone

+61401370676

Website

http://www.wattletreetherapy.com.au/

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