Doreen's Occupational Therapy Services

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Doreen's Occupational Therapy Services

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Doreen's OT provides compassionate, strength-based occupational therapy services in Geelong, empowering neurodiverse children to thrive and reach their unique potential.

07/11/2025

It’s Friday evening — and for many families, this week might have felt a little off rhythm.

Between the Melbourne Cup holiday, changes to routine, and the usual end-of-week tiredness, it’s completely understandable if things have felt a little extra wobbly for your child (or for you!).

If tonight looks like extra meltdowns, clinginess, or simply needing more downtime — know that you’re not alone. Transitions and unpredictable weeks can be tricky for neurodiverse kids (and their grown-ups too).

Take a breath, keep things calm and predictable where you can, and remember: it’s okay to slow down before the weekend begins. 💛

— From the team at Doreen’s OT, supporting families to find balance through the ups and downs.

03/11/2025

😴 Let’s talk about sleep…

For many neurodiverse children — and their families — sleep doesn’t always come easily.
Bedtime routines can stretch for hours, night wakings can be frequent, and mornings can feel impossibly hard.

And it’s not just the child who feels the impact.
Tired parents are doing their best to hold everything together.
Siblings might feel unsettled or wake through the night too.
The whole household feels it. 💛

If this sounds familiar — please know, you’re not alone.
Sleep challenges are common in neurodiverse families, and they’re not a reflection of how hard you’re trying. There are reasons behind it — sensory differences, anxiety, differences in body regulation and routines — and there is support available.

As occupational therapists, we often explore gentle, practical ways to make bedtime feel calmer, safer and more predictable — for everyone.

So if you’re reading this through tired eyes today — take a deep breath.
You’re doing an incredible job, even on the hard days. 🌙💚

31/10/2025

✨ Happy Occupational Therapy Week! ✨

As we reach the end of another busy week, we’re taking a moment to celebrate all the incredible Occupational Therapists across Australia — and especially our own team here at Doreen’s OT 💚

OT Week is about recognising the heart of what we do: helping people of all ages and abilities participate in the everyday activities that bring meaning and joy to their lives.

For us, that means supporting neurodiverse children to thrive — at school, at home, and in their communities.
It means celebrating their strengths, understanding their unique ways of engaging with the world, and walking alongside families who care deeply.

This week (and every week), we’re grateful to do this work.
Here’s to all the OTs making a difference, one meaningful moment at a time 💫

30/10/2025

🎃 Trick or Treating with Neurodiverse Kids – A Few Gentle Reminders 💚

Halloween can be fun, colourful, and exciting — but for many neurodiverse children, it can also be a lot to take in.
Crowds, costumes, noises, lights, unexpected social interactions — it’s a sensory storm!

A few things to keep in mind this spooky season 👻:
🌟 Costumes aren’t for everyone. Some kids might prefer their regular clothes, a favourite t-shirt, or even a small accessory. That’s okay — participation can look different for everyone.
🌟 Trick or treating may not go as planned. Some children might only visit a few houses, or choose to observe instead of knock.
🌟 Sensory overload is real. Take breaks, bring noise-reducing headphones, or have a “quiet car” option ready.
🌟 Social scripts take practice. Saying “trick or treat” or “thank you” might not come naturally — a smile, wave, or card works just as well.
🌟 Every child belongs. Inclusion means celebrating Halloween in whatever way feels safe and joyful for your child.

From all of us at Doreen’s OT, we’re sending support to families navigating tonight with love, patience, and understanding. You’re doing an amazing job 💜

21/10/2025

💛 Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Maybe your child says the same phrase over and over…
Wants to stay glued to your side when you step outside…
Or feels anxious just going into another room without you.

These behaviours can be repetitive, intense, or hard to understand — but they often have a purpose. For many neurodiverse children, these moments can be about seeking comfort, predictability, or connection in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming.

🌿 At Doreen’s OT, we get it. Our role isn’t to “fix” those behaviours, but to listen, explore what might be behind them, and support your child (and you!) with strategies, insights, and understanding.

Sometimes, having someone in your corner to unpack the “why” behind behaviours can make all the difference. 💬💛

✨ You don’t have to figure it out alone.

19/10/2025

✨ Bubbles — Simple, Calming, and Full of Joy ✨
Bubbles are more than just fun… they can be a powerful tool for calming and regulation 🫧

For many neurodiverse children, watching bubbles float through the air provides gentle visual stimulation and encourages slow, deep breathing — both of which support self-regulation.

Blowing bubbles can help kids:
💨 Practise deep breathing (great for calming the nervous system)
👀 Focus their attention in a soothing, predictable way
🤲 Engage their senses through sight, touch, and movement
😄 Share moments of connection and joy with others

And the magic doesn’t stop at blowing… popping bubbles can be just as regulating! The quick, repetitive action gives great sensory feedback and can help kids feel grounded and in control of their bodies.

💡 Think your child is too old for bubbles? You may be surprised!
Even older children and teens often find bubbles calming, engaging, and a playful way to reset.

Sometimes, the simplest activities have the biggest impact 💛

How does your child like to use bubbles? 🫧

17/10/2025

☀️🌿 Saturday Slow Moments 🌿☀️

The weeks can feel long. Between school, work, therapies, and everyday life, by Saturday many families are running on empty.

If you’re parenting a neurodiverse child, weekends can be a mix of joy and challenge — less structure, more freedom, and sometimes bigger emotions.

Here’s a gentle reminder: you don’t need to make weekends “perfect.” Even the smallest moments of connection — a cuddle on the couch, laughing over breakfast, or five quiet minutes outside together — are enough.

Your child doesn’t need a full schedule of activities; they need you. And you’re doing an amazing job. 💙

👉 What’s one little weekend moment that fills your cup as a parent?

16/10/2025

✨ Everyday OT Tip: The Power of Routines ✨

For many neurodiverse children, routines are more than just structure — they’re a source of comfort, predictability, and independence.

🕒 Having a clear rhythm to the day can:

Reduce anxiety by making the “what’s next?” predictable

Build confidence in transitions (school, home, bedtime, outings)

Create opportunities for children to take ownership of their own steps

💡 Start small: use a simple visual schedule, a song, or even a timer to signal transitions. Over time, these little supports can make a big difference in helping children feel regulated and empowered.

👉 What’s one routine that makes a big difference in your household? Share below — you might inspire another parent!

14/10/2025

🌊☀️ The Beach: Calm or Chaos?

For many neurodiverse children, the beach can be both a place of soothing regulation and sensory overload.

👣 Some kids adore the feeling of sand between their toes, the sound of the waves, and the wide-open space to move freely. These natural sensory inputs can be grounding and calming.

😖 Others may find the unpredictability overwhelming — gritty sand sticking to skin, the roar of waves, or the brightness of the sun can all tip the balance into sensory overload.

And then there are those familiar battles:
🚗 The arguments to even get out the door…
🏖️ Only to discover once they’re there, they don’t want to leave!

Both responses are valid — and both can teach us about what helps our children feel safe, regulated, and joyful. 💙

👉 Does your child love the beach, avoid it, or need a bit of both? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments.

11/10/2025

✨ OTs really do have the best “toys”! ✨

Here we’ve got two body socks and a giant rainbow elastic band in action — and no, it’s not just for fun (though it is pretty fun 😉).

What’s happening here?
👉 Kids are getting deep pressure and proprioceptive input – that “heavy work” feeling that helps their muscles and joints know where their body is in space.
👉 This type of play can be calming and regulating, giving children the sensory feedback they need.
👉 It’s also fantastic for building core strength, coordination, and teamwork.

The best part? You don’t have to be in OT to try it out — both the body sock and rainbow elastic are available for loan at the Leopold Toy Library 🧸💛

Because sometimes, play is the very best therapy.

10/10/2025

🌟 Self-Regulation in Kids – What Does It Mean? 🌟

Have you noticed your child:
🍭 Wanting to snack all the time, especially on sweet or crunchy foods?
👕 Twisting their finger in their shirt or chewing on their collar?
🤔 Always seeking certain textures, sounds, or movements?

These behaviours aren’t “just habits” — they’re often ways children are regulating their bodies and emotions. Eating crunchy or chewy foods, or fiddling with clothing, can actually help alert and calm their nervous systems.

👉 Self-regulation is how children manage their feelings, energy, and focus so they can participate in daily life. For neurodiverse children, finding the right strategies is especially important — and it can look different for every child.

✨ Our role as OTs is to help families understand why these behaviours happen and explore positive ways to support kids in regulating themselves.

💬 Have you noticed your child using food or clothing to regulate?

Address

Geelong, VIC
3220

Website

http://doreensot.com.au/

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