Kids Thrive Therapy

16/12/2022

☀️ OT summer series ☀️

This Melbourne "summer" I'm having a pause from work and diving into family life.

Embracing the mantra of 'good enough' parenting and embracing delegation; I've managed to handball tree and cake decorating this week.



[ID: Two children wearing grey and blue pyjamas, sitting on a table decorating a birthday cake with marshmallows and colourful chocolate buttons]

11/09/2022

Welcome Bruno!

It's been a great week for representation: Thomas the tank engine welcoming an autistic character, voiced by autistic actors Chuck Smith, 10 (US) and Elliot Garcia, 9 (UK); and Peppa Pig introducing a le***an Polar Bear family. Diversity affirming representation for greater inclusion - love it!!

Children's TV show "Thomas & Friends" is introducing its first autistic character, in a bid to diversify on-screen representation.

24/01/2022

🚦 When urban design and occupational therapy collide!

I first noticed this in Melbourne CBD last year, and absolutely loved it! It's a perfect example of the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model in action!

For years there has been messaging about paying attention around traffic, crossing roads etc. This messaging was about the occupation, and trying to shift people's patterns of behaviour. And this can be tricky.

As an OT, I always like to review, and where possible modify the environment first. Environmental modifications are typically less taxing for the individual and their family, and can also be highly effective. And here you can see has made an environmental modification to the city landscape, and increased pedestrians' awareness. Striking, simple, effective design.

[Image description: a grid of two photo of edge of footpath in the city, circular lights are in an array, they are all red on the top, and all green on the bottom to match the traffic sequence. The image is surrounded by an orange background]

15/01/2022

New year; new look - Kids Thrive Therapy has had an injection of colour!

Billy Buttons, (or Craspedia for fancy flower people in the know), are bright bold little bundles of joy! They symbolize good health (which can not be understated in these times).

I hope everyone's had a serene and safe summer, and look forward to reconnecting with you all soon - Happy new year everyone!

28/12/2021

Absolutely! There can be an imbalance with how curiosity is valued in childhood, and yet an underrated quality in parenting.

It’s important to “chase the why”. A lack of balance and frequent reactivity from your child can stem from all kinds of sources. Here are a few to consider:

- Developmental age
- Temperament
- Trauma (anything that was overwhelmingly frightening or intrusive to safety)
- Sleep problems including not enough sleep
- Sensory processing challenges
- Health and medical issues
- Learning, cognitive, and other disabilities and discrepancies
- Caregivers who amplify distress or who are unresponsive
- Mismatch of environmental demands and child’s capacity
- Mental health disorders

The point here is to be curious and open to learning more about your child’s struggles. Doing this allows us to respond in a much more patient and loving way, to focus on teaching skills, and to seek support from professionals when needed.

03/11/2021

Great to be out of lockdown and back in the clinic - Looking forward to seeing everyone's faces again soon!

[ID: photo of Renate wearing a checked blue facemask, standing on a yellow rug in the clinic, in front of a desk]

26/10/2021

☔ There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! I love this, some fresh ideas for exploring your local neighbourhood ☔

Wet weather doesn't have to mean being stuck indoors! Read the rest of our rainy day activity ideas here >>> https://getthekidsoutside.com/rainy-day-outdoor-activities-for-kids/

24/08/2021

This 👇👇
Perspective taking is a two-way street!

Double Empathy: Why Autistic People Are Often Misunderstood

"For a long time, research has shown that autistic people can have trouble figuring out what non-autistic people are thinking and feeling, and this can make it difficult for them to make friends or to fit in. But recently, studies have shown that the problem goes both ways: people who are not autistic also have trouble figuring out what autistic people are thinking and feeling! It is not just autistic people who struggle."

Accessible research presented by Frontiers for Young Minds (read here: kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2021.554875)

Image description: Banner that reads, The Double Empathy Problem. Below, two cartoon images are facing each other. Text for the person on the left reads, 'Autistic person may struggle to: read between the lines; overcome other people's misconceptions about autism; manage sensory distractions.' Text for the person on the right reads, 'Non-Autistic person may struggle to: Form positive first impressions; recognise and understand autism; imagine autistic sensory difficulties'. In the middle of the image, text reads, 'Both parties may struggle to understand each other's thoughts, feelings, behaviour and differences'.

23/07/2021

Excellent point! Love the work of Kristy Forbes - she's an excellent advocate who provides valuable lived experience for Autistic and PDA families

20/07/2021

Great visual summary of Dr. Dan Siegal & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson's upstairs/downstairs brain from their book 'The Whole-Brain Child'.

It takes two to co-regulate. Once regulated, empathetic listening and validation are key tools for problem solving with little, and not so little people.

My new infographic to help parents and teachers. Share away!

I first learned of the descriptors "the upstairs and downstairs brain" when I read the Whole-Brain Child (Siegel, Bryson, 2012). The premise is simple and brilliant. The downstairs of a traditional house is where all of our basic needs are met. There’s a bathroom, a kitchen and a living area. Similarly, the “downstairs brain” is responsible for basic functions like breathing and heart rate, as well as sensory processing and sensing threat.

The upstairs brain is our more sophisticated, "thinking" brain. It's not fully developed until our mid 20s! We must be able to access both our upstairs and downstairs brain. We need to be able to monitor the sensory input coming from our environment, think and problem-solve. When our kids are having a hard time, they’re in their “downstairs” brain. They can’t access their “thinking” brain, and no amount of yelling, threatening or punishment is going to get them there.

How do you help a child when they are in their downstairs brain? First, lower expectations. Help them get regulated. That could be as simple as a hug or just being present. Once regulated, only then they can head upstairs.

Next time your child is having hard time, say to yourself “downstairs brain”. It’s a great reminder in the heat of the moment to lead with empathy.

14/07/2021

Absolutely! Behaviour is communication. When we strive to understand a young person's emotional state, empathetic responses and resolutions can follow.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is described in the DSM as a pattern of poor conduct. I’m reimagining how we would treat children if we see it as a pattern of regulatory vulnerability.