Xavier Children's Support Network

16/04/2026

👔 Buttons made simple

Learning to do up buttons can be a challenge for children with sensory differences and that’s okay! 💛

Try these strategies:
✅Use a mirror to enable your child to see the buttons, to help them follow their movements.
💬Try step-by-step verbal prompts like “use two fingers, pinch, move the fabric over the button.”
👐Try moving their hands gently to show where to place fingers—one step at a time.
💜Small, guided steps help children gain confidence and independence in everyday skills.

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we help families navigate the support available. If you’d like further information, reach out to: developmentaldelay@xavier.org.au 🌟

14/04/2026

🎨 Celebrating World Art Day 🎨

Today is World Art Day, a moment to celebrate creativity, imagination, and the joy that art brings. At Xavier, we see our Art Therapy programs bring this to life every day for our children and young people with complex disability.

Through painting, drawing and other creative activities, our Art Therapists help children to:

💡Express feelings and ideas in new ways
😌Build confidence and self-belief
🌏Connect with others and their world
😆Discover joy, curiosity, and creativity

We’re so proud of the ways Art Therapy opens doors to connection, growth and possibility—showing just how powerful art can be.

🌟 To learn more about Art Therapy at Xavier email intake@xavier.org.au

12/04/2026

🎵 Connecting through Music🎵

This Music Therapy Week, we’re celebrating the incredible work of our Xavier Music Therapists supporting our children and young people to connect with the world around them.

This year, the Australian Music Therapy Association theme invites everyone to “Connect with music therapy”—and at Xavier, we see this connection every day:

🎶Helping children engage with their families, peers and communities through shared musical experiences
💜Using creative approaches tailored to each child’s unique needs
💬Collaborating with other therapists and families to support development and wellbeing
💞Supporting , confidence and emotional expression
😌Using music to help children feel more comfortable in their bodies, manage pain, relax and build a positive sense of self

Our talented Music Therapists create moments that transcend barriers, spark joy and open doors to new experiences. We love your work!🎶

09/04/2026

🏓 Connection, consistency and community

Every Thursday morning, Joel heads to UQ for a game of pickleball with his support worker, Oli.

Even during his stays at Xavier Place, this much-loved routine continues. It’s a simple but powerful example of how staying connected to familiar people, places and activities can make all the difference.

Moments like this bring continuity of care to life, supporting our children and young people to keep doing what they love.

💜

Welcome!At Xavier, we have been providing disability support to Brisbane children and young people...

08/04/2026

🤝 Social skills, one step at a time

Making friends can be challenging for some children (and even some adults!) including those with developmental delays and sensory differences.

A few tips that may help your child feel more comfortable and confident:

💜Acknowledge their feelings after social interactions, even tricky ones and guide self-reflection: “Did this make feel happy or upset?”
😌Offer a clear way to regulate if they get overwhelmed
🌱Provide a loose structure during shared activities

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we help families navigate the support available. If you’d like further information, reach out to: developmentaldelay@xavier.org.au 🌟

04/04/2026

🌿 Wishing our Xavier community a peaceful and hope-filled Easter 🌿

This Easter, we take a moment to reflect on hope, compassion and the importance of being connected to one another.

Across Xavier, we see this in shared moments, friendships that blossom and confidence that gives our children and young people a true sense of belonging.

May this Easter bring you time to slow down, connect and enjoy the company of those who matter most.

From all of us at Xavier, we wish you a safe and happy Easter 💛

02/04/2026

🌼 Blooming confidence in the garden 🌼

At Xavier Place, Joel took the lead in the garden, confidently watering the plants and caring for our beautiful outdoor spaces. 💧

Gardening is part of Joel’s everyday routine around the house and a task he takes pride in and approaches with purpose.

We intentionally provide accessible, meaningful activities at Xavier Place so our guests can build independence through genuine participation in daily living. 🌿
We love your work Joel! ❤️

31/03/2026

🌈 Bringing art, connection and community to our streets! 🌟

Yesterday, our Art Therapist Charlotte Lanchester, with Sandra Daniels, GM Clinical Services, attended the Artforce Awards at Brisbane City Hall – celebrating the amazing artworks transforming our Brisbane streets.

We were so proud to be nominated in the “Best Organisation” category for our traffic signal box artwork beside Xavier Place in Yeerongpilly. The mural celebrates identity, strength, interconnectedness and community and shines a light on the individuality of the children and young people we support and who helped bring the artwork to life. 💛

A huge thank you to Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner for hosting such a wonderful event that celebrates creativity, community and connection. 🎨✨

31/03/2026

👟 Mastering shoelaces, step by step

Learning to tie shoelaces can feel tricky for some children, including those with sensory differences. 💛

These tips can help:
👀Use a visual example for each step so your child doesn’t have to process everything at once
💬Give verbal prompts, like “make a bunny ear” for a specific step
👐🏽Try gently guiding their hands one step at a time rather than the whole sequence
🏃🏼‍♀️A bit of movement before starting can help your child to regulate

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we help families navigate the support available. If you’d like further information, reach out to: developmentaldelay@xavier.org.au 🌟

26/03/2026

🧱 Building connections in the community

Liam, Colton, Marcus and Joel headed out together to BrisBricks Lego Convention at Chandler and had an absolute ball!

From incredible creations to shared moments of excitement, the day was all about connecting with each other, their interests and with the wider community.

These are the moments that matter: getting out, trying new things and being part of something bigger. 💛

Welcome!At Xavier, we have been providing disability support to Brisbane children and young people...

24/03/2026

🎶 Sound ON for full effect! 🎶

Music Therapist Becca led a fun music session with Xavier Place guests Riley and Marcus, exploring the power of group drumming. 🥁✨

Watch as they jam together, feel the rhythm, and then—here comes the fun part—wait for the big pause when the drumming stops! That’s when Marcus and Riley respond perfectly to the auditory cue, showing incredible teamwork.

Drumming is a great way to engage in meaningful collaboration. And as you can see, these two absolutely nailed it! ❤️

17/03/2026

💙 Helping Trevor eat safely this Swallowing Awareness Day

Mealtimes are an important part of family life, a chance to connect, share and enjoy time together. For children like Trevor with dysphagia, the right support can make these everyday moments safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable.

At Xavier, our speech pathologists and dietitians work together with families to support children and young people to eat and drink safely and enjoy mealtimes with their loved ones.

👉 Read more:
https://bit.ly/4uvw2GA