FOCUS Specialist Therapeutic Supports

27/10/2025

Vulnerable post 💔

Behind FOCUS Specialist Therapeutic Supports is just one person, myself.

Over the last 18 months, predominantly, I have been struggling with complicated and somewhat annoying health issues. What this has created is that people are only getting a small portion of me, rather than me 100% at all times.

Why am I bringing this to your attention? Because I want people to understand that I'm human, and these health issues are currently outside of my control. It's best I make it known, as I do not want people to think this is how I am all the time in my professional sphere. Even in the professional space, we hit major roadblocks and need to look at our realities and expectations.

I have recently been diagnosed with a condition, that if treated 15 months ago wouldn't have impacted my physical well-being as much as it has. I will require some minor treatment, which will hopefully allow myself to come back to some form of "normality".

I wish to thank those who have been flexible enough to stick with me, and for your understanding.

For those who I "seemingly" have ghosted, trust me, I haven't. I will be in contact this week to discuss options - these are references to referrals or people I have already spoken to or met.

As I am not superhuman, until I have regained some form of normality, I will not be taking on any more new referrals for either SSC, SC, or DE - as I need to get better as my priority.

I am still working with my current caseload.

I have not put myself first, and this has been a tough lesson to learn, especially when running your own business and trying to run a household as a single mum.

29/09/2025

As ive been quiet on my page for a while, thought id say hello to everyone, discuss hours of operation and a bit about myself. ❤️

Hi 👋 to all those who follow my page, i appreciate the likes and engagements ❤️

For those who dont know me well, Im a Developmental Educator with over 25 years experience in the disability sector. I work from a person centred neuroaffirming approach - an approach ive refined over my career. 📖 My current roles are as Specialist Support Coordinator and Developmental Educator, as a sole provider/business owner.

I am a single mum to a 17 year son👦who is my top priority 🙌 i own two german shepherds 🐾, a cat🐈‍⬛️ and a snake 🐍(a little zoo).

We live in Whyalla - Ive had the opportunity to work regionally, in metro and overseas in multiple countries. I currently provide remote and face to face services across SA.

Now my hours of operation differ week to week, to cater for my family and personal life. On a standard week, Mondays are allocated as none client days, and unless otherwise communicated via an automatic email response, I work 9-5 Tuesday to Friday. I do work out of hours when required, but this is predominantly email or report writing tasks.

Next week, you will learn a little more about me ❤️

Stay tuned 🙌❤️

18/09/2025

I absolutely LOVE this ❤️ Thanks DivergAntz for developing this and sharing it.

This one may be a little controversial... and we aren't even mad about it 😏🙊

Rather than talking about "how to teach a neurodivergent person to socialise", let's focus on teaching a NEUROTYPICAL person to properly, and positively, engage with Autistic and ADHD people.

More on our website: https://divergantz.com.au/teaching-social-skills-to-neurotypicals

17/08/2025

Had another successful year helping out at this amazing sensory space (The Chillout Zone) at the Whyalla Show. 🙌

People of all ages used the space. ❤️❤️

They used it as a calm space✔️
They used it to be creative.✔️
They used it to chill on the bedbags and chat.✔️
They used the space to escape the cold and wet. ✔️

Cant wait to have this space up and running next year. ❤️

13/08/2025

Its almost donut 🍩 time.......i mean show time 🎊🙌 Remember we will have the chillout zone for anyone who needs it. Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend at the Whyalla Show ❤️

06/08/2025

Yay - Whyalla Disability Inclusive Reference Group will be bring the Chill Out Zone to the Whyalla Show for the third time ( 16th and 17th of Aigust). There will be two volunteers at all times, myself being one of the volunteers. This space is used to support those who need a safe zone to regulate. Look forward to meeting you all ♥️

The Whyalla Disability Inclusive Reference Group will once again be hosting “The Chill Out Zone” at The Whyalla Show for 2025.

Open Hours:
Saturday noon to fireworks begin.
Sunday 11am until show closes.

Located in the judo room.

The space is for all who need it, no matter the reason.

Two of our volunteers will be manning the space at all times, however parents/guardians must be present and children are not to be left unattended.

Saturday Facebook event link: https://facebook.com/events/s/chill-out-zone-whyalla-show/736649712473656

Sunday Facebook event link: https://facebook.com/events/s/chill-out-zone-whyalla-show/24670769582529308/

www.whyalladisabilityinclusive.com

19/03/2025

Focus is FINALLY back travelling ❤️

It feels good to spread my wings again 🪽

After a long hiatus of not travelling far aka out of Whyalla due to ill health, i am finally travelling to bring Developmental Education to the regional areas again.

Todays journey reinfoced why im a Developmental Educator and who Im there to support. I love how my days are different and allows me to meet and interact with amazing people.

As people may have noticed ive been hard to get hold of due to reduced capacity levels, plus adding in a long journey with chronic health issues over the last 12 months, but I seem to be getting on top of them. I quickly learnt if my mask isnt on, i cant support others. So i had to go quiet last year to allow myself to "recover".

Thanks to those who were patient and waited for me to return to fulltime services.

Exciting news Focus may soon be travelling to Quorn/Hawker and as far as Ceduna - the vision is to bring my expertise further afar to support more people.

As it looks like im extending my DE services, i guess its obvious to say, i have some CAPACITY!

If you would like Developmental Education services feel free to contact me on 0413356810 or melissa@focussupports.com.au

17/03/2025

Look at my new name badge. ❤️

I ordered it from One Kind Studio ❤️

Now people will know who i am when i visit various places including school, peoples houses etc etc.

26/02/2025

Love this, well said!

Im going to add to this and say this extends to Autistic adults too!

15/02/2025

Do not underestimate people ❤️

24/01/2025

Well said Neens ♥️

Support Coordinators work hard - once everything leaves our hands, we have little to no power. Yes we can advocate, but we dont make the decisions.

23/01/2025

Update.

I am sorry, i am still in hospital. I still do not have access to my work emails or phone.

Unsure when ill be discharged, looks like ive got some semi serious stuff going. Been firmly told i need to relax and let my body heal.

As a clinician/SSC i know i have outstanding tasks, which i apologise but ive had to put those things on the back burner......Once im out of hospital, my focus will be triaged and the higher priority tasks will be completed..

Once again, im sorry for this inconvenience ♥️