Kids Therapy Station

13/08/2025

🌟 SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNEY 🌟

Occupational therapy helps children develop essential skills for daily activities, and as a parent or caregiver, there are many ways you can support their progress at home. Here are some helpful tips:

📌Practice Regularly: Short, consistent sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.

📌Embed Activities into Routines: Use mealtimes or daily tasks to practise skills like utensil use or dressing.

📌Make it Fun: Turn therapy into play—engage your child with enjoyable activities.

📌Break Down Tasks: Simplify complex tasks into small, manageable steps.

📌Collaborate with the Therapist: Keep in touch for personalised at-home activities.

📌Create a Safe, Supportive Space: Ensure the child’s environment is comfortable and distraction-free.

📌Focus on Strengths: Celebrate your child’s achievements to build confidence and motivation.

📌Be Patient: Children learn at their own pace—encouragement is key.

📌Encourage Independence: Gradually promote self-care tasks like eating and hygiene.

📌Use Visual Aids: Visual schedules can help children understand routines.

📌Address Sensory Needs: Work with the therapist to manage sensory sensitivities.

📌Consider Adaptive Tools: Specialised equipment like pencils or utensils can help.

With patience, consistency, and collaboration, you can create an environment that nurtures your child’s growth and development! 💪❤️

30/07/2025

🧩 What’s New in the NDIS – and What It Means for Paediatric Occupational Therapy Families 🧩

Dear friends and families,

There are some important updates to the NDIS that all paediatric OT users and their caregivers should know:

🔹 Funding Periods are Here (From May 19, 2025)
• Instead of receiving your full annual plan budget upfront, funding will now be released in instalments - often on a monthly or quarterly basis.
• This applies to new participants and those undergoing plan reassessment.
• For paediatric OT families, this means planning ahead to make sure therapy sessions and reports fit within each funding block.

🔹 Early Childhood Supports Expanded (From July 2025)
• The age cap for early intervention codes has increased - children up to 9 years old are now eligible for funding under paediatric codes.
• Good news if your child is between 7 and 9, and you’re seeking developmental OT support.

🧠 What This Means for Paediatric OT Planning
• Budget pacing matters. You’ll need to work with providers to make therapy hours fit within each instalment period.
• Because OT pricing hasn’t been increased for five years, some therapists are choosing not to service NDIS clients—leading to longer waitlists and potential gaps.
• If your child is aged 7–9, don’t miss out on accessing early intervention supports.
• Keep an eye on upcoming changes to eligibility and foundational supports—your plan may look different next time it’s reviewed.

✅ Key Takeaways
* * Funding Schedule - Must plan therapy within instalments (monthly/quarterly)
* * OT Pricing - Still frozen; watch reduced provider availability
* * Early Childhood Access - Expanded up to age 9 – great opportunity
* * Scheme Reforms - Eligibility tightening; foundational supports uncertain

Thanks for reading. If you’re managing a child’s OT under an NDIS plan, it's a good time to:

• Chat with your service provider about how these funding changes affect your therapy timing,
• Review your plan budget and usage before your next reassessment,
• Check eligibility if your child is moving toward foundational supports instead of an NDIS plan.
• Speak with the NDIA directly to get greater clarity on how the changes may impact your child’s plan.

Let’s support each other in navigating these changes. 💙

22/07/2025

🌟 IS YOUR CHILD STRUGGLING TO MEET DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES?

Global Developmental Delay (GDD) can impact how a child moves, speaks, learns, and interacts with others. Early intervention makes a world of difference—and that's where we can help!

At Kids Therapy Station, our experienced Occupational Therapists support children in building crucial skills for everyday life. Whether it’s fine motor skills, sensory regulation, or social development—we tailor therapy to each child’s unique needs.

🚗 We’re a mobile practice, providing therapy in the comfort of your home, kindy, or school.

📍 Proudly serving families across the Tweed Valley and Gold Coast.

Let’s help your child thrive—one step at a time.

📞 Call today on 0455 544644 or email admin@therapystation.com.au

Plan Managed and Self Managed NDIS participants, private clients and Medicare referrals welcome.

24/06/2025

At Kids Therapy Station, we offer mobile occupational therapy sessions across the Gold Coast and Tweed Valley, supporting children and adolescents in the safety of their homes, kindys, or schools.
🌟 Whether your child has ADHD, autism, developmental delays, difficulty socialising, emotional dysregulation or other challenges, our caring team of professional Occupational Therapists is ready to provide personalised support to help them grow and thrive. 💪
📞 Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist your child on their journey!
Ph 0455 544 644 or Email admin@therapystation.com.au

24/06/2025

🔷🌞IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PREPARE YOUR KINDY KIDS FOR SCHOOL🔷😀

📌Transitioning from kindy to school is a big step for kids, and occupational therapy can play a crucial role in making this transition smoother!

By focussing on skills like fine motor development, self-regulation, and social interactions, our Kids Therapy Station occupational therapists help kids feel confident and ready for the classroom. Starting early gives them the time they need to strengthen these abilities, setting them up for success when school begins.

Early intervention is key - let's give our kids the support they deserve to thrive in this new chapter!👍💪

📞Call us today on 0455 544644 or 🖱email admin@therapystation.com.au

26/05/2025

📢 NDIS Changes in 2025: What It Means for Your Child — and How Kids Therapy Station Can Help

If you're a parent of a child on the NDIS, you might be hearing about some important changes happening this year. These updates focus on early childhood supports and are designed to make sure your child gets the right help at the right time — but it’s important to know how these changes might affect you and your family.
Here’s what you need to know 👇
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👶 For Children Aged 0 to 6 Years

This age group falls under the Early Childhood Approach, which now has a stronger focus on:
✅ Early intervention supports — even before a formal diagnosis
✅ Shorter, flexible plans to keep up with rapid development
✅ Working closely with families to build everyday skills and routines
If your child is in this age group and has development delay (diagnosis not required), they will typically work with an Early Childhood Partner. These professionals will help connect you to the right supports, both inside and outside the NDIS.
What to expect:
• You may be asked for updated developmental assessments
• NDIS plans may focus more on functional needs
• You might be encouraged to also access mainstream services like playgroups, health services, and parenting support
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🧒 For Children Under 9 Years

Children with a disability in this age group are still supported through the early childhood pathway — this is a change from previous years.
What to expect:
• More regular reviews to assess if ongoing NDIS support is still required
• Clearer goals and updated progress reports will play a key role in plan decisions
• You’ll begin transitioning toward Local Area Coordination as your child approaches 9
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🧑 For Children Over 9 Years Old

Children aged 9+ are now typically supported by a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) rather than an Early Childhood Partner.
What to expect:
• NDIS plans will begin focusing on longer-term goals and school participation
• Reports showing how previous supports have helped will be important for ongoing funding
• LACs may encourage greater independence and links with school and community-based supports
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✋ How Kids Therapy Station Can Help

At Kids Therapy Station, we understand that these changes can feel overwhelming — especially when it comes time for reviews.
We can support you by providing:
📝 Updated reports and assessments for NDIS reviews
🧠 Functional Capacity Assessments that demonstrate your child’s needs and progress
🤝 Collaboration with Early Childhood Partners or LACs to support your goals

If your child has a plan review coming up, now is a great time to book in for updated therapy reports and assessments that align with the new NDIS approach.
________________________________________
📞 Need More Info?
✔️ Call the NDIS: 1800 800 110 (Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm)
✔️ Visit: www.ndis.gov.au
✔️ Find your Early Childhood Partner or LAC:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact/locations

📅 Book an assessment or review planning session with Kids Therapy Station:
📞 Call us at 0455 544 644
🌐 Email admin@therapystation.com.au
________________________________________
You don’t have to navigate these changes alone. Let’s work together to make sure your child gets the support they need to thrive 💙

Find your local NDIA, ECEI or LAC office.

26/05/2025

12/05/2025

🌟 HOW OT HELPS WITH SOCIAL SKILLS

Does your child struggle to join in play, talk to other kids, or understand personal space? These are all skills that can be developed with a bit of support.

Here’s how OT can help:
• Practising conversations through play and role modelling
• Learning how to read facial expressions and body language
• Building confidence to try group activities
• Understanding turn-taking, sharing, and teamwork

💎Tip for parents: Play simple board games at home to practise turn-taking and conversation starters like “What made you smile today?”

💬 We’re Here to Help
Our OTs are mobile and work with families in homes, schools, and kindys—wherever your child feels most comfortable. Our approach is personalised and focused on what matters most to your child.

If you think your child might benefit from OT support, reach out and let’s have a chat.

⌨️admin@therapystation.com.au
☎️ O4555 44644

Let’s help your child feel confident, capable, and connected.

We support Plan and Self-Managed NDIS participants, Medicare referrals and private clients.

07/05/2025

🌟 SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL REGULATION

Some kids feel things very deeply—and that’s okay. But when big emotions lead to outbursts, shutdowns or anxiety, they may need help learning how to cope and calm down.

OTs can support by:
• Helping kids name and understand their feelings
• Teaching calming tools like deep breathing or movement breaks
• Using visual aids or timers to create structure and predictability
• Introducing sensory-friendly strategies to reduce overwhelm

Parent idea: Create a “calm corner” at home with cushions, soft toys, and a few calming tools like a sensory bottle or noise-cancelling headphones.

💬 We’re Here to Help
Our OTs are mobile and work with families in homes, schools, and kindys—wherever your child feels most comfortable. Our approach is personalised and focused on what matters most to your child.

If you think your child might benefit from OT support, reach out and let’s have a chat.
💻admin@therapystation.com.au
☎️O4555 44644

Let’s help your child feel confident, capable, and connected.

We support Plan and Self-Managed NDIS participants, Medicare referrals and private clients.

07/05/2025

🌟 BUILDING EVERYDAY LIFE SKILLS (a.k.a. Self-Care)

Things like getting dressed, tying shoelaces, or using cutlery can feel huge for some kids. OT breaks these down into simple, fun steps so they can master them at their own pace.

We help children with:
• Fine motor skills (buttons, zippers, pencil grip)
• Sensory sensitivities (e.g. toothbrushing, hair washing)
• Daily routines (like bedtime or morning tasks)
• Building independence through visual checklists and routines

Parent tip: Let your child choose their own clothes from two options—it builds independence and keeps mornings smoother.

💬 We’re Here to Help
Our OTs are mobile and work with families in homes, schools, and kindys—wherever your child feels most comfortable. Our approach is personalised and focused on what matters most to your child.

If you think your child might benefit from OT support, reach out and let’s have a chat.

💻admin@therapystation.com.au
☎️O4555 44644

Let’s help your child feel confident, capable, and connected.

We support Plan and Self-Managed NDIS participants, Medicare referrals and private clients.

14/04/2025

👶💛 🌟 HELPING CHILDREN MANAGE BIG FEELINGS 💛👧

If your child often has meltdowns, trouble calming down, or difficulty handling transitions, you're not alone — and there is support.

At Kids Therapy Station, we specialize in working with children and adolescents who are still learning how to manage their big emotions. Through Occupational Therapy, we help children build the foundation for emotional regulation in a way that’s developmentally appropriate, fun, and tailored to their unique needs.

Our experienced OTs help children:
✨ Recognize and name their feelings
🧠 Understand their triggers and build awareness of how their body feels when emotions start to rise
🤲 Learn calming tools (like deep breathing, movement breaks, or sensory strategies)
🎯 Improve impulse control, frustration tolerance, and flexible thinking
🗣️ Build communication skills to express needs before emotions escalate

We also work closely with parents and caregivers, providing simple, practical strategies you can use at home to make daily routines — like getting dressed, going to school, or winding down at bedtime — smoother and less stressful.

✨ At Kids Therapy Station, we believe every child has the potential to thrive with the right support.

📞 Contact us today to learn more about how we can help! Call 0455 544644 or email admin@therapystation.com.au

We are a mobile practice supporting Plan and Self-Managed NDIS participants, Medicare referrals and private clients.

14/04/2025

Hi, I’m Benjamin Metcalfe!

I’m an Occupational Therapist with Kids Therapy Station, and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness firsthand the incredible positive impact OT can have on children’s development.

There’s nothing quite like seeing kids grow and engage in the activities that are most important to them, whether it’s playing, learning, or building meaningful connections with others.

When I’m not working, you can usually find me surfing, golfing, or enjoying quality time with family and friends.