Little Skippers Paediatric Physiotherapy

28/04/2025

This brilliant exhibition is only on for one more week!

🐦 LIFE IS ART: ZION LEVY STEWART
📅 Wed - Sun | 10am - 4pm
📍 Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

Zion Levy Stewart is an artist with Up Syndrome (generally called Down Syndrome.) His infectious zest for life is chronicled through his art, sharing with us his unique and positive view on life.

Through a series of vibrant acrylic paintings, Life is Art invites viewers to enter an innocent, naïve world of quirky people, birds and animals, and share in the joyful visions of Stewart’s world.

A Tweed Regional Gallery initiative. An outcome of the PLATFORM program.

25/04/2025

A fantastic chance for kids to try a variety of inclusive, disability-friendly sports for free—right here on the Gold Coast

A free kids disability sports day is coming to Gold Coast. Register now to join the fun. Don't miss out!

04/04/2025

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In Australia, over 205,000 people are affected by autism. Children with ASD often face challenges related to movement and motor skills, and physiotherapists play a key role in providing support.
Research has shown that children with ASD may experience delays in reaching motor milestones or demonstrate atypical movement patterns. Common movement difficulties include reduced strength and coordination, impaired postural control, changes in gait (walking patterns), and challenges with motor anticipation and planning. These issues can impact everyday activities such as running, balancing, and performing ball skills (e.g., throwing, catching, and kicking). Additionally, motor impairments in children with ASD can affect their socialization, schooling, and communication abilities.
Physiotherapy can be highly beneficial for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), supporting the development of movement skills and enhancing participation in sports and physical activities. Growing evidence shows that with consistent practice, children with ASD can significantly improve their motor skills.

kicks off today! The National Autism Strategy 2025-2031 provides a roadmap to improving the lives of autistic people through economic and social inclusion. This the campaign asks you to take action to progress the National Strategy. On April 2, wear your favourite colour, snap a pic, and show your support for a more inclusive world! 🌍

Understand, fundraise, take action or donate here: https://bit.ly/AQ-Autism-Month

21/03/2025

Today is World Down Syndrome Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the lives and accomplishments of individuals with Down Syndrome.

Children with Down Syndrome often experience delayed motor development, meaning they may take longer to reach milestones such as sitting, crawling, and walking. Many also have low muscle tone, which makes movement more challenging, as they need to exert more effort than other children to activate their muscles.

Physiotherapy plays a key role in helping children with Down Syndrome by strengthening muscles, improving balance, and fostering greater independence. Through playful and engaging sessions, physiotherapy helps children develop their motor skills and boosts their confidence. Starting physiotherapy early, even in infancy, can be essential in supporting major milestones like crawling and standing.

To participate in World Down Syndrome Day, Down Syndrome Australia encourages everyone to wear bright, colorful socks as a symbol of support and awareness. This year’s international theme calls on governments to enhance support systems for individuals with Down Syndrome. For more information, visit Down Syndrome Australia's website here: https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/national/news-and-events/events/world-down-syndrome-day/

Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2025! 🥳

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible contributions of people with Down syndrome!

As an international community we are coming together to call on Governments to improve our support systems. Down Syndrome Australia is focusing on one of these support systems: employment.

We want to celebrate the contributions people with Down syndrome make to organisations and businesses across Australia.

Down Syndrome Australia has worked with our state and territory members and partners to place over 80 people into jobs with fair wages in only 18 months. We know that with the right support people with Down syndrome can thrive in the workplace, but too often they’re held back by barriers. It’s time to change that.

Let’s build a future beyond $3 an hour.

Earlier this week, we launched our Right to Work campaign. Here’s what we’re asking for:

• Phase out the $3 wage
• Fund programs that truly work
• Make the Disability Support Pension work for workers

Join us in creating a fairer, more inclusive future.

Visit our Right to Work website to learn more and sign our petition: https://buff.ly/8S3cM2g

Please share this post to help us spread the word and make lasting change.



Down Syndrome NSW Down Syndrome Queensland Information Service SA - Down Syndrome Australia Down Syndrome WA ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Down Syndrome Tasmania Down Syndrome Victoria

06/12/2024

🏅 FairPlay Vouchers 🏅
Did you know that Queensland families can access up to $200 in FairPlay Vouchers to help cover the cost of sports and recreation activities for kids? 🎉 This is a great opportunity to support your child's physical development and encourage an active lifestyle! Sport helps children build strength, balance, co-ordination and fitness.
✅ Apply now and help your child stay active, healthy, and engaged in the activities they love!
For more information on how to apply, visit: www.qld.gov.au/fairplayvouchers

📢 FairPlay Round 11 vouchers last ONE YEAR 📢 Don’t miss out!

This round runs from 1 July 2024 until 28 May 2025, so whether your child plays winter or summer sport, you can apply in this round and hold onto your voucher until you're ready to sign on! ❄🧊➡🌞🌻

These vouchers offer up to $200 for children aged 5 to 17, to help cover the costs of participating in sport, and keep more Queenslanders active! 🏀⚽

Find out more and register online now 👉 www.qld.gov.au/fairplayvouchers

19/07/2024

Equipment expo's offer the opportunity to see a wide range of current equipment from a range of different suppliers in one place, from toileting to seating to walkers to vehicle modifications. It is free but you do need to register.

Send a message to learn more

10/07/2024

07/07/2024

01/07/2024

Triple P - Positive Parenting Program - is a government funded program of free parenting courses including Triple P Online for Baby, Triple P Online, Fear-Less Triple P Online (for children with anxiety), Teen Triple P Online as well as face-to-face courses. They are a brilliant resource for ideas and strategies to help support your child's behaviour.

We’re excited to launch our newest free online parenting program: Family Transitions Triple P Online.

This program is especially for parents who are going through separation or divorce and want to learn ways to help kids (and themselves) to adjust more positively.

Dr Helen Stallman, co-author of the program, says:

"Parenting can be challenging at the best of times. Add separation or divorce on top of that, and it can become even harder. It's normal for parents and carers to feel concerned about how this big life change may affect their child,”

This new program can help. It’s an easy-to-use online resource that gives tips and strategies for managing divorce or separation in a way that can help parents to confidently handle challenges and minimise the impact on children.

Family Transitions Triple P Online is free in Australia, thanks to funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Parenting Education and Support Program.

Find out more https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/family-transitions-triple-p-online/

For schools, early childhood centres, health professions and other support organisations, contact us for a stakeholder kit connect@triplep.net

If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse or feel unsafe, please contact 1800 RESPECT for free and confidential assistance.

20/04/2024

SIDS rates in Australia have reduced by 75% in the past 20 years due to brilliant education programs like this.

📢 Red Nose Senior Educator Tiffany Fryett joins the next Parents You’ve Got This “Baby Basics Masterclass” this Monday at 12:30 pm AEST via Instagram LIVE.

Join them on Instagram by searching for:

PS. Babies are most welcome 😉

06/05/2023

Hypermobility in children

While most children tend to be more flexible than most adults, some children are particularly bendy. This increased flexibility means a child's joints move more than is usual and is termed 'hypermobility'. Children and adults with hypermobility are often described as 'double-jointed'. For some children hypermobility does not cause any issues and doesn't require any intervention. For others, however, hypermobility can cause problems and this is termed 'symptomatic hypermobility'. Children may be diagnosed as having hypermobility spectrum disorder or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome depending on their symptoms.

Hypermobility can be generalised (affecting most or all joints) or more localised e.g. mainly feet and hands. Hypermobility can cause several issues and this will be determined by which joints are affected.

Joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of hypermobility. These pains tend to be worse after high levels of activity or activities that are very vigorous. Pain can be the result of joint subluxations or dislocations. Pains can occur in any joints including the temporomandibular joint (jaw) and some children also experience headaches and gut pains.

Fatigue can be a key feature and can vary widely among children. Some kids with hypermobility in their legs might struggle to walk long distances and find themselves tired and sore the next day. This can have a big impact on their abilities to go out with family and friends. Children with hypermobility in their hands, however, might struggle with handwriting.

Subluxations and dislocations may occur in many joints but are particularly common in the shoulders and knees.

Children with symptomatic hypermobility benefit from strengthening and stability exercises to support their joints, reducing pain and fatigue.

If you are concerned your child has symptomatic hypermobility you should seek a physiotherapy assessment. A physiotherapist will measure your child's movement at each joint and can provide tailored strategies to help your child.

For further information check out the The Ehlers-Danlos Society webpage.

06/05/2023

Children with hypermobility can experience significant difficulties with fatigue and motor skills as well as pain and dislocations. Physiotherapy is an important component of the management of children with hypermobility. May is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) awareness month.