Abundance Occupational Therapy

17/03/2026

If your child melts down, cheats, or quits during games… it might not be about losing.

It might be overstimulation.

Competition isn’t just “fun” for all kids.
It’s noise, pressure, fast thinking, emotions, waiting, turn-taking… all at once.

For some nervous systems, that’s too much.

So when they start losing, their brain flips into fight-or-flight.
And what you see is:
• cheating
• shutting down
• refusing to play
• big emotional reactions

In sessions, I don’t just tell kids to “be a good sport.”

We:
• reduce the pressure
• slow games down
• build regulation first
• and practice losing in small, safe ways

Because kids can’t cope with losing when they’re already overwhelmed.

Regulation always comes first.

Save this if you’ve seen this in your child 🤍

28/01/2026

Simple, compassionate, and very grounding 🪷 A lovely read for anyone supporting a child with big emotions. Vote if you’ve read this book 📔👇

21/01/2026

If your child eats Vegemite toast every single day… you’re not alone 🤍

For many kids, the same food isn’t about being stuck — it’s about safety. Predictable, easy-to-chew foods help their body feel calm and confident at mealtimes.

In feeding therapy, we don’t rush change or remove safe foods. We gently build flexibility so confidence stays intact and food jags are less likely.

Comment below if Vegemite toast is an everyday food in your house 👇

20/01/2026

One of the reasons whole foods can feel so hard for kids is that they are unpredictable.
Chicken can change in colour, texture, temperature, smell, and taste every time it’s cooked. For many children, predictability equals safety. That’s why foods like nuggets or crackers are often easier than foods like chicken, vegetables, or fruit.
In SOS Feeding Therapy, we help children learn how to interact with food using all of their senses, so variety feels manageable and eating becomes less stressful over time. 🍋🍦🍍

19/09/2025

30/05/2025

📝📂 What is an Intervention Summary?

An intervention summary is a short written update from your child’s therapist — it explains what we’ve been working on, how your child is going, and what supports are still needed.

📌 Why it matters:

📈 Tracks your child’s growth over time
📑 Helps with NDIS, Medicare, or school reports
🤝 Keeps parents, teachers, and support workers in the loop
🎯 Guides future therapy goals
📋 What it usually includes:

🌟 Your child’s strengths and challenges
🎯 Current therapy goals and progress
💡 Strategies that are working
🏠🏫 Practical tips for home and school
🔜 Next steps in therapy
📆 When you might receive one:

📅 End of a therapy block
🧾 Before a plan review or school meeting
🔄 When transitioning to a new therapist
🎒 Starting school or another big change
Think of it as a helpful, clear story of your child’s OT journey — easy to share, easy to understand, and focused on supporting growth! 💛📝

22/05/2025

Ideation in Play – What is it and how do we support it?

Ideation is the ability to think:

“What could I do with this toy?”
“What should happen next in my game?”
“What role can I play?”
🫖 What it might look like when a child is struggling:

Repeating the same actions over and over
Staring at toys but not knowing how to start
Saying “I don’t know what to do”
Waiting for others to lead
Limited or rigid pretend play themes
🫖 Ways we can support ideation in play:

Sit beside them and say, “This can be a dragon cave. I’m going to hide here!”
Offer pictures of pretend play scenes to spark ideas
Narrate your own play out loud: “This giraffe is going to the doctor. Oh no, she has a fever!”
Pause and give them space to take the lead after you model
Use open-ended toys that can become anything — not just one fixed idea
Supporting ideation doesn’t mean taking over — it means gently scaffolding the thinking process. The goal? More flexible, imaginative, and confident play 🫖✨

19/05/2025

Bring your doggy to work day 🤭 OccupationalTherapy

20/12/2024

1. What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck:
This book helps children manage obsessive thinking or getting “stuck” on certain thoughts. It provides step-by-step instructions for recognizing when thoughts are spiraling and offers ways to break free. Strategies include distraction techniques, focusing on the present moment, and using calming exercises. It encourages the idea that you can change your thought patterns with practice.

2. What to Do When Your Temper Flares:
This book focuses on anger management for children. It teaches them how to recognize the early signs of anger, and it offers practical strategies for calming down, like taking deep breaths, counting, or using a “cool-down” space. It also emphasizes the importance of expressing emotions in healthy ways and finding solutions to problems instead of reacting impulsively.

3. What to Do When You Worry Too Much:
This book is aimed at helping children deal with excessive worry or anxiety. It provides tools to challenge anxious thoughts, like asking if the worry is realistic or if the situation is truly dangerous. It also teaches relaxation exercises and strategies to focus on the present moment. The goal is to empower children to reduce the power of their worries and build confidence in their ability to cope.

These books use a friendly, engaging approach with illustrations and simple language to teach kids valuable skills for emotional regulation and mental well-being.

05/12/2024

A few favourites from this year. Perfect for gifts 🎁❤️

✨ Treasure Numbers (https://amzn.asia/d/7BfOoWb) – Perfect for hand-eye coordination, number recognition, fine motor skills and turn taking.
✨ Pic N’ Pop Toy (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTK2YQXY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)– A great way to promote gross motor skills and coordination for toddlers.
✨ Pictionary (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B002NWJ1LW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)– Encourage creativity and fine motor skills while having fun.
✨ Therapy Putty (https://amzn.asia/d/dH2ViQr) -Great for strengthening hands and fingers, and perfect for stress relief.
✨ Matching eggs Sorter (https://amzn.asia/d/hUuSHbT) – A fantastic tool to help with color and shape recognition while enhancing fine motor skills.
✨ Flower Garden Building (https://amzn.asia/d/3KePSQR)– A fun way to boost creativity, spatial awareness, and fine motor development in kids.

These gifts are not only fun but also nurture essential developmental skills!