Adaptive Kids Australia

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Adaptive Kids Australia

Education, programs and products developed by leading Australian Paediatric Physiotherapists

03/06/2025

I created the Play with Purpose App as a Paediatric Physiotherapist to give you a confident way to support your child’s motor development — through Purposeful Play

As a Paediatric Physiotherapist (Bachelor of Physiotherapy Hons – University of Newcastle, Masters of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy – Monash University), developed over years supporting children across Australia

From developmental delays to balance challenges, sensory needs, adaptive play, core strength and coordination difficulties this program is here for you

Inside the app, you’ll find:

✅ 150+ guided activities with video demonstrations and step-by-step instructions
✅ Programs for Core Strength, Balance, and Coordination
✅ 5 progressive levels — from foundational to mastery
✅ Activities tailored to your child’s current ability (not just their age)
✅ Created by Paediatric Physiotherapist - James Dowton (Masters of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy, Monash University)
✅ Eligible for NDIS funding when aligned with your childs goals (support template for Plan Manager available on website)

Progress doesn’t just happen in therapy sessions.

It happens at home — in the everyday moments that shape how a child moves, plays, and grows.

That’s why I developed Play with Purpose — to bring structured, evidence-based support into real family life, in a way that’s easy to follow and fun to use.

This isn’t just a collection of play ideas.

It’s a complete Paediatric Physiotherapist-designed program to help your child build strength, balance, coordination, and confidence — through purposeful play that fits into everyday life.

Follow the link to get started and download your instant NDIS quote if needed:

https://adaptivekids.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOopQsQpZnYgN_1KnvCQVs_qcjVGzwBnkSJh2wXpFcQkd6zJlbtzv

17/02/2025

Building Stronger Balance & Stability – Strengthening Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APAs)

Ever watched your child run, jump, or reach for something—only to see them wobble, overcorrect, or lose their balance?

They’re trying their best. Their muscles are strong. They’re putting in effort. But something seems off, like their body isn’t adjusting quite fast enough.

Before your child takes a step, reaches, or jumps, their body should automatically activate the right muscles to keep them steady.

🔹 Catching a ball: If your child reacts too late, they’ll miss the ball or fumble it. But if their brain predicts where it’s going, they’ll adjust their hands at the right moment and make the catch.

🔹 Movement works the same way. The brain needs to prepare the body ahead of time so that balance and stability happen automatically.

These automatic adjustments are called Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APAs)—the tiny, stabilizing muscle activations that happen milliseconds before movement.
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What This Looks Like in Everyday Play

You might notice your child:
❌ Landing with an extra hop or step after a jump instead of landing smoothly.
❌ Taking extra steps to stop running because their body doesn’t stabilize quickly enough.
❌ Wobbling when reaching for a toy as if their body wasn’t expecting the shift in weight.

None of this means your child has poor movements — it just means their brain needs more practice connecting movement with stability.

And the best way to strengthen this? Play.
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How We Build Stronger APAs Through Play-Based Movement

The goal isn’t just to get stronger—it’s to train the brain to fire the right muscles at the right time.

That’s why Freeze & Move games are one of my favorites

Why they work:
✅ They train the brain to prepare muscles before action, rather than just reacting after movement starts.
✅ They strengthen postural control by forcing quick adjustments to unexpected movement stops.
✅ They build movement confidence

Let me know your APA Questions!

📍 Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not replace individualized advice from a healthcare professional.

07/06/2024

Save this Scoliosis Quick Reference Guide ✅

Structural Scoliosis?

Structural scoliosis is characterized by a fixed curve in the spine that includes a rotational component. Unlike non-structural scoliosis, it doesn't correct itself when the person bends to the side.

Idiopathic Scoliosis (75%) 👋

"Idiopathic" means the cause is unknown, but genetic factors are thought to play a significant role. It's categorized by the age when it first appears:

✅ Early Onsent: Appears between

06/06/2024

Want to create more engaging play based therapy sessions? Learn how with our principles for any program! ✅

As a Paediatric Physiotherapist with over 10,000 hours of experience using play based principles and seeing the engagement in sessions, the outcomes and therapists asking how to incorporate this approach.. I made this course ✨

AND it's online which means you can access it anywhere 👏🏼

Link to course in page bio 🔗

This course equips you with the knowledge and skills to integrate play-based principles into programs, assessments and outcomes, empowering children aged 4-12 to thrive through purposeful play 🏀

How can this course help you:

✅ Comprehensive Assessments: Gain expertise in conducting play based assessments and outcome measures, with training on neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions.

✅ Master Play-Based Principles: Learn to integrate play-based principles and fundamental developmental concepts into your practice, with engaging activities to support children with disabilities.

✅Sensory Play Strategies: Improve attention, focus and maximise your sessions by discovering sensory play strategies that cater to the sensory needs of children, promoting sensory integration and regulation leading to better therapy outcomes.

✅Receive NDIS report writing templates: Designed to streamline your documentation process, ensuring your reports are comprehensive, accurate, and meet all necessary requirements.

✅ Behavioral and Social Skills Through Play:
Utilise play-based interventions to improve behavioral and social skills, helping children develop better communication, cooperation, and emotional regulation. Overcome challenges in managing behavioral issues and enhancing social interactions.

✅ Family and Caregiver Involvement: Learn how to effectively involve families and caregivers in play-based interventions, fostering a supportive home environment that reinforces therapeutic goals. Address the challenge of ensuring continuity and support outside of therapy sessions.

Enrollment is now open with an early bird exclusive offer, the course will run from the 1st of August 2024!

12/02/2024

Every month in Australia 86 children are diagnosed with cancer. As a Paediatric Physiotherapist who supports children with and recovering from cancer, this month means a lot.

Our team will be fundraising vital funds to change the future of childhood cancer, to get involved head over to the 86k for a cure website and search: James Dowton to find our team.

Cancer and its treatment can have a significant impact on a child's physical development. They may experience:

Muscle weakness and fatigue: Treatment can lead to muscle loss, impacting their ability to participate in everyday activities.

Pain and stiffness: Surgery, radiation, and other interventions can cause pain and stiffness, limiting mobility and range of motion.

Lymphedema: This swelling in the body's tissues can affect limbs and lead to discomfort and functional limitations.

Balance and coordination difficulties: Treatment-related side effects can affect balance and coordination, impacting movement and confidence.

As a Paediatric Physio we work with kids and their families to overcome and manage these challenges, as each child’s journey is unique we work closely with the family to find the right program to support.

Regain independence: By improving their physical abilities, children gain independence in daily activities, fostering a sense of control and self-belief.

Boost confidence: Overcoming physical challenges with the support of a physiotherapist builds confidence and a positive self-image, empowering them to participate in life fully.

Return to loved activities: Whether it's playing sports, dancing, or simply running around, physiotherapy helps children reclaim the activities they cherish, enriching their emotional well-being.

Join me this month. Donate, share and lace up your own shoes and walk, run, swim or cycle.

03/01/2024

Should kids play more?

ADHD doesn't mean a child can't focus or pay attention, as a Paediatric Physiotherapist I work with families with goals of improved focus on tasks and the ability to get through a full day of school.

One of the first questions I always ask, is what helps your child to focus? What do they love and enjoy?

And the answer is so often movement. And there is a reason why.

Movement is fundamental for children, and when we create environments that limit movement this can be incredibly challenging.

The research supports play and activity for children, so we need to find ways to incorporate this. Structured and creative play is incredibly beneficial for kids, and play is also an environment where we can learn to regulate and communicate.

What are your thoughts on play and have you seen the impact of movement on helping your child to learn and grow?

Make sure to SHARE this post to keep the conversation going and raise awareness of the power of play!

Address

6/100 Ocean Drive
Port Macquarie, NSW
2444

Website

http://adaptivekids.com.au/

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