Shine Therapy Services

25/10/2023

Happy OT week!!

This week I want to focus on enhancing the community’s understanding on what occupational therapists do day to day, I found these images online that I think best sums it up, in a nutshell we help others to “Do” whatever it may need to enhance their everyday lives now and in the future!

If you have any questions please reach out!

12/03/2023

Sharing the details of an awesome expo that is coming up in Sydney in a few weeks …

The Source Kids Disability Expo is coming back to Sydney in March. Source Kids is Australia's leading disability expo for kids, teens and young adults up to the age of 35 years, bringing endless FUN for everyone to enjoy.

22/12/2022

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

What a year it has been, I’ve been privileged to see so much growth and change in so many of my beautiful clients and families. Hope you have a magical break with your family and friends! I’ll see you in 2023!!

02/04/2022

It is World Autism Awareness Day! Here's to celebrating the Always Unique, Truly Interesting Special Memorable people I have been touched by over so many years!

UN Secretary-General's message for 2022:
The United Nations supports the rights of persons with autism to fully participate in society, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In its pledge to leave no one behind, the 2030 Agenda represents a commitment to reducing inequality through social, economic and political inclusion for all people, including persons with disabilities. Yet many persons with autism still live in isolation, discriminated against and disconnected from their communities, in institutions or even in their own homes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these inequalities through the loss or reduction of services at school, in homes and in the community. We need to ensure that the rights, perspectives and well-being of persons with disabilities, including those with autism, are an integral part of building forward better from the pandemic.

The solution lies in more community-based support systems for persons with autism. We must also establish inclusive education systems and training programmes that enable students with autism to access the educational path of their choice. And we must make technology solutions available for persons with autism to live independently in their communities. Active consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations should be at the centre of these efforts.

On this World Autism Awareness Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive, equitable and sustainable world for persons with autism.

— António Guterres

24/12/2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Shine Therapy Services will be closed from 24th December 2021 to 21st January 2022. During this time I will have some limited access to phone and email.

I am so incredibly appreciative of your ongoing support during the last tumultuous year filled with much change. I am so very proud of all my clients and families for their successes during this year and look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Wishing you the best during this joyful season. I hope your holidays are filled with festivities and plenty of merry enjoyment.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Jewell (Occupational Therapist / Director)

14/12/2021

Thankyou to the Hello Clinic for this super cute simple pictorial of what it is OTs do, it sums it up so well just need to add in home modifications and equipment prescription to meet some of these goals 😊

26/10/2021

Happy OT Week 2021!! This week marks a special celebration as we get back to more face to face services again after the extended lockdown. It has been awesome seeing clients again and doing just what OT is about, encouraging and promoting independence, inclusion and participation in all areas of life! If you have any questions on what OT is all about and how we may be able to assist please reach out via phone or email.

21/08/2021

Hi all,
Just a quick update on my services. As you are all aware the lockdown has been extended to 28th September and unfortunately I do live within Blacktown LGA that has further restrictions imposed. I am following the ongoing advice of OT Australia:
Face to face services should only occur if absolutely essential to avoid the deterioration of an individual’s health.
Telehealth should be used wherever possible or treatment delayed.
Restricting movement of people and unnecessary contact with others outside your household is essential to assist in reducing the risk of transmission.
I just want to say you are all doing amazing, these are times we have not experienced before. Please during this time take the pressure off. Your child and your mental health is the most important right now. Like us children are seeing everything and feel uncertain, confused, scared and worried. Their routine has changed and they are unable to see their people of support around them whether that be their friends, family, educators or therapists. This might result in an escalation of a variety of different behaviours from meltdowns to tears. This is so normal and to be expected.

As a parent I completely understand the need to try and control the situation, reduce screen time, put in consequences, create minute by minute schedules, become frustrated when they won't do their activities, be creative with new things to do However this may be needed for some children others need reassurance, play, comfort and love. They need to know all is going to be ok. Children cannot neurologically learn and develop when stressed.

I know many of you are concerned about regression or your children not developing. However children learn best in an environment where they feel love and comfort. Every child is in the same situation so teachers will be there at the end to adapt their learning and meet each child where they are at. At the end of the day I will be here and I am experienced at assessing a child for where they are at and we will pick up from there. Memory is amazing and you will be surprised that your child will not forget I am here over the phone or computer screen to support you, therapy is not and does not have to be traditional face to face one on one with the child. Children learn so much from incidental home life, cooking, cleaning, craft, exercise, exploration, and play.

Please take care and reach out if you need anything at all

Michelle

27/06/2021

Hope you are staying safe and well!
In response to the lockdown in Sydney and stay at home orders Shine Therapy Services is moving to telehealth sessions and only completing essential face to face appointments from 28th June to 9th July 2021, the following additional precautions will take place:
- No appointments will occur in childcare or other care facilities of groups of people in order to keep everyone safe.
- Masks shall be worn for all essential appointments and social distancing will occur if possible.

It is with this news that I also share that I am now vaccinated against COVID-19.
The health and safety of my clients is of utmost importance to us especially working with those in the community who are immuno compromised.

Please contact us should you have any questions or concerns on 0421860042 or email michelle@shinetherapyservices.com.au.

01/04/2021

Light it up blue for World Autism Day, my life is touched everyday by special unique individuals 💙

23/12/2020

Merry Christmas to all from my family to yours!

As I close the "office" and my diary to 2020 I can't help but reflect on what a personal and professionally challenging year this has been for me and so many. I am eternally grateful for all my clients' support and encouragement. The resilience shown in so many has been incredible and made me proud to be a small part of your lives and community. I reflect on the manifesto of my 2020 &Kate diary and unbeknownst to me at the beginning of the year these words couldn't ring more true "stay in your magic and give the world good energy, this is the year we come back home to ourselves". I have seen so many people smash their goals despite adversity, this perseverence and strength is admirable.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and new year break, see you in a bright new start of year 2021!!

26/10/2020

HAPPY OT WEEK!!

Given the recent onset of droughts, bushfires, and the global pandemic, in 2020 the OT Week theme is: Resilience: Supporting our communities to rebuild, recover, and reengage.

In supporting people to participate in activities they find meaningful, occupational therapists are vital in helping our communities through disaster recovery. As disaster survivors reengage in disrupted occupations (such as daily routines, activities and employment), they can better cope with stress and be supported through their recovery.

01/10/2020

One of the best visual ways I've seen of explaining why kids may be fussy eaters ...

09/09/2020

We are always here to listen, there's more to say after r u ok? Raising awareness

25/07/2020

Hello All,

As of Friday 24th July NSW Health have escalated the COVID-19 risk to an amber level or moderate risk level. They therefore advise that those health professionals working within the community wear face masks if working within 1.5 metres of a client. I have pasted two links below with more description of this risk level. As such I will be wearing blue surgical masks if I am needed to be within 1.5 metres of a client. In order to prepare your children I have included a photo of me wearing the mask and without the mask so that they can get used to it. Please show them this photo to let them know this may be what I will be wearing at the next visit. As you are aware I work with some vulnerable children and young people who are immune compressed and extremely susceptible to the contraindications of COVID-19 hence why I am taking this approach in order to keep them and everyone safe and well. Please feel free to raise any questions or concerns about this to me and I am happy to answer any questions.

There are other precautions that will continue to be in place:
- Hand sanitizing before and after every client
- Shoes will be removed at client homes on request of the client
- Only necessary resources that can be sanitized will be brought to appointments including only plastic toys that can be cleaned after each client.

Please also note that we may cancel the appointment if we or our immediate family members display cold and flu like symptoms. Unfortunately this may be with limited notice due to the sudden possible onset of symptoms. We expect that all clients and their families will also cancel appointments if they are feeling unwell or displaying cold and flu like symptoms. If a therapist witnesses cold and/or flu like symptoms when working with a client they will terminate the appointment in order to keep everyone safe, well and stop the spread.
http://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/595754/COVID-19-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Response-and-Escalation-Framework.pdf?fbclid=IwAR23QBGJlnpT2tuLHgZEvri4gcxSUHjtr_zcpRl1TDjMxlyejKlQuxvJyXg

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/update/Pages/message-secretary-july-23.aspx?fbclid=IwAR05CrwVjL9RZalJc0iRunltsKV3bQgV4d8X8M5rDOyGM35w0huEoRNFEO8

Kind Regards,

Michelle Jewell
Occupational Therapist
Manager

20/07/2020

Amazing story!

30/06/2020

Such exciting news that the Shine Shed will be opening on Saturday!!
We are not affiliated in any way just looking forward to an all abilities, all ages space to be opening locally!

Get ready for some sensory filled fun!
We will be open from SATURDAY 4th JULY, just in time for the school holidays.
Shine Shed North West will be offering 2 hour open play sessions with a 1/2 hour break in between each session to clean the centre, to provide a COVID safe space and we will be limiting our numbers to 20 participants plus parents/carers/support workers and staff at each session.
Our holiday and weekend session times are:
9.30-11.30am
12.00-2.00pm
2.30-4.30pm

Sessions will cost $27 per participant with parents/carers/support workers FREE
As a special offer for these holidays, book 2 or more participants and get a 10% discount.
Booking will be essential and the details of how to book will be posted shortly.

Looking forward to seeing you for some fun these holidays!

Any queries feel free to email
info@shineshednorthwest.com.au