Exceptional Kids

21/07/2025

🌟 Why We Use Energy Regulation Over Colours at Exceptional Kids 🌟

You might be familiar with programs that use coloured zones to describe feelings — but at Exceptional Kids, we take a different approach. We use Autism Level UP! because it offers something essential: a neurodiversity-affirming way to understand and support your child’s energy and regulation needs.

💡 Here’s why we love it:

✅ It's strength-based and person-centred – instead of saying certain zones or emotions are "good" or "bad", it recognises that all energy levels are valid. It’s not about fixing emotions — it’s about noticing, understanding, and meeting regulation needs.

✅ It’s more inclusive of neurodivergent experiences – traditional colour systems often miss how autistic kids uniquely experience and express energy. Autism Level UP! helps us respect and work with those differences, not against them.

✅ It focuses on what your child needs, not how they "should" behave – whether your child is feeling low, high, or just-right energy, this model helps us explore what supports or strategies might help in that moment.

✅ It grows with your child – from non-speaking kids to teens with big feelings, this approach can be adapted across ages and abilities.

At Exceptional Kids, we’re all about supporting regulation in a way that honours your child’s individuality. 💛 Energy regulation helps your child understand themselves better — and helps you support them with clarity and confidence.

20/07/2025

🌟 Why Do Paediatric OTs Use Parent Coaching? 🌟

At first, it might seem strange that a paediatric occupational therapist spends more time talking with you than working directly with your child — but there's a good reason.

This approach is called Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC), or more simply, parent coaching. It’s an evidence-based way of working with parents to help children reach their goals in everyday life.

Here’s why we use it:
👨‍👩‍👧 You know your child best
🎯 You set the goals that matter to your family
🧠 You’re there in the moments that count — at home, in the car, at bedtime
💪 Coaching builds your confidence and skills so you can support your child every day, not just in a weekly session

Instead of “fixing” the child, OPC supports you as the expert in their life — and we walk alongside you with strategies, guidance, and lots of encouragement.

✨ Because when parents feel supported, kids thrive. 💛

16/07/2025

🌟 What’s Really Happening in Your Child’s Brain During a Connected Therapy Session?

When your child feels truly safe, seen, and supported in a therapy session, it’s not just about behaviour or goals—it’s about brain change.

In those 50 minutes of co-regulation with a trusted therapist:

🧠 Their brain shifts from survival mode to a state of safety
💞 Oxytocin (the bonding hormone) rises, and stress hormones like cortisol drop
🧩 They begin to build new neural pathways for trust, emotional regulation, and connection
💡 The thinking part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) switches on, making learning and reflection possible

✨ Over time, these repeated experiences help your child feel safer in the world—and more confident in themselves.

Therapy isn’t just about the task. It’s about the relationship.

13/07/2025

We have been busy over the weekend rearranging our rooms! We now have a lovely consult room for parent coaching and a room without a desk for our sensory seekers. Can't wait to play in here this week!

10/07/2025

🌟 Why do OTs look at everything—movement, emotions and the senses? 🌟

Because your child isn’t just one system—they’re a whole person. 💛

When a child struggles with something like dressing, handwriting or play, it's rarely just about the skill. 🧠

👉 Maybe their sensory system is overwhelmed.
👉 Maybe big emotions are flooding their body.
👉 Maybe their motor coordination needs support.

OTs look at how these systems work together—because motor, emotional (affective), and sensory challenges often overlap. Helping one area can strengthen the others. It’s all connected. 🧩💪

💬 So if your child’s behaviour or development feels complex, that’s okay. It’s our job to connect the dots.

02/07/2025

Are you or do you know an OT student who also knows their way around canva and social media?? Looking for someone to do some casual work but hoping to use an OT student if possible!?

02/07/2025

This is why I'm so passionate about low billable hours and weekly supervision in our practice. The NDIS is placing this at risk.

02/07/2025

30/06/2025

29/06/2025

And exhale. You made it to the end of term!

27/06/2025

I am out of office but the rest of the team is working hard. You can catch Nic on the phone or via email. I am catching my breath in this clear air after a huge few months x

19/06/2025

🌟 What is Interoception – and Why Does It Matter for Kids? 🌟

Interoception is our 8th sense — it helps us notice internal body signals like hunger, needing the toilet, a fast heartbeat, or feeling hot or tired. For children, this sense plays a huge role in emotional regulation, body awareness, and even learning when to take a break or ask for help.

When interoception isn’t working well, kids might struggle to recognise or respond to what their body needs — which can look like meltdowns, toileting accidents, or difficulty knowing when they’re anxious or overwhelmed.

🧠 Supporting interoception helps children tune into their bodies, build independence, and feel more in control of their emotions and actions.

👉 Occupational therapists can help build these skills through playful, body-based learning.