Lodestar Therapy

02/04/2025

Contribute to research on school attendance for Autistic children! $25 voucher to participants whilst supporting research in a much needed area.

🌟 Easter holiday sessions now available 🌟 Help us understand what helps—or hinders—young people attend and participate in school! Please share through your networks.

We’re looking for autistic, otherwise neurodivergent, and neurotypical young people aged 9-16 to take part in a research study. 📌 Interested? Learn more and sign up here: https://griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cv8FWfkZu64Zoiy

🔹 What’s involved?
Your young person will complete a face-to-face card-sorting activity with our team or community partners. Each card describes something about school, and they’ll sort them into piles based on what does or doesn’t impact their school attendance and participation.
🔹 Where?
Sessions can take place at:
📍 Your home (if you’re within 30km of Brisbane or Logan)
📍 Griffith University (Logan or Mount Gravatt campus)
📍 Spotswood, Inner West Melbourne

🔹 Why participate?
✅ Your insights will help improve support for students.
✅ You’ll receive a $25 WISH gift voucher as a thank-you!
✅ We’ll provide a personalised summary report of the factors affecting your young person’s school experience—useful for sharing with teachers or therapists.

This research is a collaboration with Tiffany Westphal (creator of the Student Stress Investigation card-sorting tool and Director of School Can’t Australia) and other community partners.

🔒 Please be mindful of confidentiality when commenting or sharing. This project has been reviewed by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 2024/913).

30/01/2025

Join Lodestar and our amazing, collaborative team to support participants in enhancing their independence and engagement in meaningful life activities!

Join Lodestar & our amazing, collaborative team to support participants in enhancing their independence and engagement in meaningful life activities.

28/12/2024

The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection - but for many neurodiverse individuals and families brings increased challenges and overwhelm. It can feel like trying to drive a train 🚆 with 2 engines pulling in opposite directions. On one end, the expectations of others, increased social gatherings, pressure of events, expectation to show up in a way that aligns with other's holiday spirit; yet at the other end, the need for honoring what is right for you and your family, balancing energy, calm, prioritising needs & values.

To balance the pull of competing priorities this season, consider:
💫 Re-aligning with your values: Reflecting on what matters the most. What brings joy and connection to your family? Let this guide your decisions.
💫 Find your own path: Feel comfortable in stepping away from other's expectations and create your own manageable & meaningful experience. Pursue what brings genuine joy and connection to your family.
💫 Communicate your needs: Share your perspective with others, it can ease the pressure to conform.
💫 Create traditions that work for your family: They don't have to be big to be memorable. Explore meaningful moments that align with your needs & values. Attune to your loved ones, adjust as needed.
💫 Be kind to yourself: Let go of guilt. Your holiday may look different to others, not turn out as expected - but this is ok. You are modelling authenticity, self-compassion and understanding.

For additional wisdom on navigating holidays for neurodivergent individuals and families, highly recommend checking out neurodneurodivergent_insightsrt holiday series. A great resource to read through with family.

14/12/2024

And some good news in the NDIS! The decision to cut music & art therapy from the NDIS has been put on hold!

The NDIA is commissioning an independent review of appropriate NDIS pricing for music and art supports, based on available evidence.

05/12/2024

Looking to be more independent! Improve your mobility? Get the most out of life?

I have immediate capacity for Physiotherapy referrals on the Sunshine Coast. I have 20 years of experience in providing physiotherapy services to people with disabilities and neurological conditions. My approach prioritises respect, client centred interventions and collaboration with participants, families and support teams to create meaningful and sustainable outcomes. If you require immediate support call now.

0422 480 036
erin@lodestartherapy.com.au

02/12/2024

Looking for Speech Therapists & Occupational Therapists!

🌟 We're Hiring! 🌟

📣 We are looking for a Speech Pathologist to join our team.

We are a values based allied health team in Currimundi that services adults and children, with clinic and home appointments.

💬 Graduate, early career or Senior Speech Pathologists opportunities!

🌟 We hoping to find a Speech Pathologist who:
- Has a passion for working in disability, where relationships with participants, families & colleagues are central to your work.
- Is motivated to learn & grow as a SP
- Driven to deliver ethical & high quality Speech Therapy services.
🌟 For the right person, you will be provided with:
- Friendly & supportive team culture, where staff wellbeing is a priority
- Unrivalled learning & development opportunities, joint sessions & clinical supervision from our Senior Speech Therapist.
- Opportunities to become part of a trans disciplinary team with OT, Physio, Social Work & AHA
- Flexible working arrangements; with flexibility in hours, home/clinic & staff are encouraged to organise their work around personal commitments.

🌈 Neurodiverse Therapists are encouraged to apply!

Apply now and be part of a team dedicated to making a difference!

02/12/2024

More guidance & information has come out today from the NDIS today. Nothing shocking I have seen so far 🤞

It has always confused me why there is just not 1 place on-line where participants & stakeholders can go to find out about SDA vacancies in a particular area. Something that is simple, up to date and comprehensive to make this information easily accessible to everyone.

Well, today NDIS has announced a new
SDA FINDER AVAILABLE ON NDIS WEBSITE.

I was optimistic that this will streamline the process for participants in finding suitable SDA’s, yet on a closer read, I am not so sure.

It says:
The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) vacancy finder helps you search for accommodation vacancies that match your needs.

You can refine the search results using the filters on the left hand side bar. Search by building type, SDA design category, number of residents, price and more.

You can contact the providers who are advertising to discuss your needs. If SDA has been included in your plan, the SDA building type and location will usually need to align with your plan.

If you need help [finding SDA vacancies](https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living/specialist-disability-accommodation-explained/sda-finder )

BUT THEN…. It says:
Not all available SDA vacancies are advertised on the SDA Finder. Speak to your planner or support coordinator if you are having trouble locating SDA in your area.

Time will tell whether this new tool streamlines the process of finding available & appropriate SDA properties for NDIS participants.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living/specialist-disability-accommodation-explained/sda-finder

The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) vacancy finder helps you search for accommodation v

26/11/2024

What is the NDIA going to spring on its participants & providers next?

Unfortunately, seems Art & Music Therapy is in the firing line.

The NDIA have announced changes that will see them no longer fund music and art therapy as capacity building supports.

This is concerning for many people with a disability who struggle to engage in more traditional therapy.

These therapies aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re evidence-based interventions that require university bachelors & masters level degrees. They are 100% ‘reasonable & necessary’ therapeutic interventions that change lives.

For details see

https://ndis.gov.au/news/10522-statement-ndis-funded-music-and-art-therapy?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR14Y7NXRS3FQCuj12OATQOty-YXr0tiZXrt5Igmt2iGc0W-jGJFlIBdspA_aem_T4cy3xwRtaS37SdYaORYKw

NDIS participants will continue to have access to music and art therapy. From 1 February 2025 how participants access music and art therapy will change. Participants and providers can continue with current arrangements until 1 February when the changes to the price guide come into effect.

25/11/2024

🌟 We're Hiring! 🌟

📣 We are looking for a Speech Pathologist to join our team.

We are a values based allied health team in Currimundi that services adults and children, with clinic and home appointments.

💬 Graduate, early career or Senior Speech Pathologists opportunities!

🌟 We hoping to find a Speech Pathologist who:
- Has a passion for working in disability, where relationships with participants, families & colleagues are central to your work.
- Is motivated to learn & grow as a SP
- Driven to deliver ethical & high quality Speech Therapy services.
🌟 For the right person, you will be provided with:
- Friendly & supportive team culture, where staff wellbeing is a priority
- Unrivalled learning & development opportunities, joint sessions & clinical supervision from our Senior Speech Therapist.
- Opportunities to become part of a trans disciplinary team with OT, Physio, Social Work & AHA
- Flexible working arrangements; with flexibility in hours, home/clinic & staff are encouraged to organise their work around personal commitments.

🌈 Neurodiverse Therapists are encouraged to apply!

Apply now and be part of a team dedicated to making a difference!

24/11/2024

This week marks the start of disability action week. Join in and celebrate inclusion by participating in a range of activities that Sunshine Coast Council is hosting.

20/11/2024

Thank you for your understanding if it is taking us longer than usual to respond to your enquiries.

Our team are working incredibly hard to support participants with navigating the NDIS amidst turbulent times. Things continue to be unpredictable in the disability sector with changes to the NDIS that impact all on the scheme. It is a time of uncertainty and increased stress for many participants and families.

Currently the NDIA are increasing eligibility re-assessments that is seeing a large number of participants being asked to demonstrate ongoing disability, that result in many being exited from the scheme, or funds cut. With this comes increased demand on our services, yet unfortunately we have very little capacity for new referrals.

We would like to do our bit to assist those that are feeling confused with the changes. We are exploring running FREE drop in sessions at our space in Currimundi to provide general guidance to those who may be having difficulties navigating the changes, for participants, families or other workers in different sectors.

We would love to connect with other providers or therapists that may be interested in joining us in hosting a number of drop in sessions. This is a ‘not for profit’ venture in response to an increased need in the community to share knowledge with navigating turbulent times in the disability sector. 💫

https://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/growing-concern-regarding-increased-rate-of-eligibility-reassessment/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2EP27Z4HM9CEsRirg_H_wP825PKsi4NTIs_8ysLLbQDjrxVnbBIrdyEeg_aem_UB4eH6kxV44YlJPwL9MTrQ

Every Australian Counts is here to make sure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is delivered as promised and is the best it can be. Find out how the NDIS process works and hear real stories from people who have been through the process, and keep up to date with the NDIS rollout with lat...