The Gifted OT Mariza Ferreira

26/03/2026

Regulation before education

12/03/2026

25/02/2026

Difficulty with transitions is a common challenge for children with sensory processing differences, and especially for those with profiles like twice exceptional (2e), or dual or multiple exceptional (DME).

For these children, a transition isn't just a simple switch. It often brings anxiety related to the "unknown" sensory elements or demands of the next environment. Plus, the tendency to "overthink" situations or expect the worst (often due to intense imaginational overexcitability) can make their anxiety soar!

The good news? As a paediatric Occupational Therapist, I can help equip both you and your child with practical, effective strategies to manage these moments.

My approach focuses on:

➡️Observational Learning: Using strategies covertly in therapy sessions so parents can observe and learn how to implement them effectively at home.

➡️Collaborative Exploration: Purposefully working with your child to find and customise management techniques that truly fit their unique profile and preferences.

Visit my website www.thegiftedot.com.au for more information on how I can help your child navigate transitions. Get in touch with me today!

21/02/2026

Thanks to The Heart and Mind Collective for sharing about my services. It is amazing to be able to work alongside them in supporting kids with a wide range of needs in our local area!

18/02/2026

As a parent, witnessing your child struggle with phrases like "I can't do it" or "I'm not smart enough" can be heartbreaking. These persistent negative thought patterns and related self-talk are quite common, but they can significantly impact a child’s emotional regulation, confidence, and willingness to participate in daily activities.

As a paediatric Occupational Therapist, I love using simple, tangible analogies to help children understand complex emotional concepts. This Grass Head Experiment is a powerful tool I sometimes use in therapys for demonstrating the impact of their own internal dialogue.

When we focus on positive self-talk ("I can try," "Mistakes help me learn"), we are watering our confidence, helping it to grow strong. This leads to feeling more regulated and easier participation in school, sport, and social activities.

When we focus on negative self-talk, we are neglecting our potential, and watering self-doubt, leaving us feeling dysregulated, and making tasks unnecessarily difficult.

This experiment gives children a tangible metaphor for agency: they choose which thoughts to water!

Ready to shift your child's focus from "I can't" to "I can"? I offer tailored strategies to support emotional regulation and foster a positive growth mindset in children. Visit my website www.thegiftedot.com.au for more information on how I can help and get in touch with me!

22/01/2026

For parents on a developmental journey with their children, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But here’s the wonderful truth: the simplest, most consistent practices are the most effective.

It's about the effort to hold a pencil a little longer, the courage to try a new texture, or the patience to finish a routine. These aren't always dramatic moments, but they are everything. That consistency—the repeated day in and day out—is what builds strong sensory foundations and motor skills.

I partner with families to create manageable, effective strategies that turn everyday activities into developmental opportunities. Visit my website www.thegiftedot.com.au for more information on how I can help, and get in touch with me!

20/01/2026

As a paediatric Occupational Therapist, I often see children who appear "awkward" during school activities, mealtimes, or social play. The challenge might be due to inaccurate sensory discrimination—which forms part of sensory processing differences. This is when a child's brain struggles to accurately distinguish between or interpret the meaning of different sensations. This internal struggle can then translate into observable difficulties in motor tasks, learning, and social settings.

To help you identify this in your child, here are 5 key areas where sensory discrimination difficulties often show up.

If these scenarios resonate with your child’s daily experiences, know that Occupational Therapy provides professional assessments and tailored strategies designed to improve sensory processing skills.

To learn more about how I work with children facing these sensory challenges, please visit my website and reach out at www.thegiftedot.com.au.

15/01/2026

Did you know that clinical supervision is a valuable CPD activity that counts towards your annual AHPRA registration requirements?

Supervision falls under the 'Engagement with the Profession' category, and you can claim a maximum of 10 hours from this category per year.

Clinical Supervision is one of the most effective ways to grow your career while seamlessly meeting your annual AHPRA registration requirements. By planning your sessions with me now, you secure your support for 2026 and proactively lock in a significant portion of your required CPD.

Contact me today to discuss your clinical supervision plan for 2026.

13/01/2026

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 5 to 8% of school-aged children and is a lifelong condition. It is characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity, which affect a person's functioning, development and learning.

ADHD makes focussing on everyday requests and routines challenging and affects all the spheres of a person's life: personal care and self-management, work or school and leisure activities, including friendships. Children with ADHD can be perceived as defiant, socially inept or aggressive. ADHD presents predominantly as inattentiveness, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combined presentation.

I have a special interest in supporting gifted children with or without ADHD. Understanding the difference between the two is the first step! Visit my website www.thegiftedot.com.au for more information on how I can help your gifted and/or ADHD child.

08/01/2026

Do you work with twice exceptional (2e), or dual or multiple exceptional (DME) children? These unique cases require deeper knowledge, and sometimes, you just need a confidential sounding board to feel confident in your approach.

With over a decade of supervision experience, my clinical supervision provides:

🔹Deep-dive strategy: Focused discussion and guidance for your more complex paediatric profiles.

🔹Confidence boost: A friendly, non-judgmental space to reflect on your practice and build confidence in your clinical decision-making.

🔹Skill development: I share insights and ideas to help you expand your knowledge base and stretch your professional horizons.

Whether you need regular weekly support or a once-off session to review a challenging clinical case, my flexible online supervision is tailored to fit your needs.

Get in touch with me today to schedule your first focused supervision session!

06/01/2026

As the holidays wind down, the thought of returning to the school routine can feel daunting for children, including those who are twice exceptional (2e), or dual or multiple exceptional (DME). We know the unique blend of high cognitive abilities and challenges—whether executive function, sensory processing, or emotional regulation—can make the transition back to school much harder than for their neurotypical peers.

This isn't about snapping back to a rigid schedule; it's about scaffolding your child's success with thoughtful, gentle adjustments.

Here are 5 essential, tailored strategies to help your gifted learner ease back into their school rhythm. In fact, they may work for most neurodivergent kids!

Partner with a paediatric Occupational Therapist who truly understands the gifted brain. I provide evidence-based strategies and support you need for a confident return to routine. Visit my website www.thegiftedot.com.au to see how I can support your family and connect with me directly!

31/12/2025

As the calendar flips to a brand new year, I want to wish all the amazing children, parents, and caregivers a Happy and Healthy New Year!

The start of a new year always feels like opening a fresh notebook—full of possibility, potential, and space for growth. I’m so excited to continue partnering with your children on their unique developmental journeys.

I truly believe that every child deserves the chance to reach their fullest potential, and occupational therapy is all about finding those creative, playful ways to build confidence, independence, and essential life skills—one joyful milestone at a time.

Whether it’s tackling handwriting, mastering those tricky shoelaces, improving focus, or navigating big sensory experiences, I’m here to support your family every step of the way.

Let’s make 2026 a year of growth, playful learning, and celebrating all the small, incredible victories!