Kiara Occupational Therapy

14/04/2026

02/04/2026

Different, not less. Today we honour autistic voices, strengths, and journeys.

17/03/2026

The results we see with our clients are fantastic ❤️🐴

According to a study by Sara Kwon and colleagues published in the journal Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine (2019), therapeutic horseback riding (THR) may help improve language and cognitive abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID). In this study, children aged 6–13 participated in an 8-week program where the therapy group received conventional therapy along with 30 minutes of therapeutic horseback riding once per week. Researchers measured changes in language using standardized tests such as the Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT) and the Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES), and assessed cognition using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.

The findings showed that children who participated in therapeutic horseback riding experienced significant improvements in receptive language, expressive language, vocabulary skills, and cognitive functioning after the 8-week intervention. Although both the therapy and control groups showed some improvement, the horseback riding group improved in more areas. Researchers concluded that therapeutic horseback riding may be a promising complementary therapy to support communication, learning, and cognitive development in children with ASD and intellectual disabilities.

PMCID: PMC6637059 PMID: 31311249

23/02/2026

🐴 Building Skills, One Block at a Time

There’s something magical about combining play, connection, and the calming presence of a horse. Today’s equine‑facilitated OT session brought all of that together as our kiddos teamed up for a giant Jenga challenge alongside the most special Kyla from

Why Jenga with a horse?
Because therapy doesn’t have to look like therapy. In this simple, joyful moment, we were practicing:

• Regulation: staying calm, grounded, and connected while the tower wobbles and Kyla searches for carrots amongst the blocks
• Turn‑taking: waiting, watching, and celebrating each other’s moves
• Communication: using clear words, gestures, and shared problem‑solving to keep the game going
• Confidence: experiencing success in a supportive, sensory‑rich environment

Horses offer a unique kind of co‑regulation—steady, honest, and deeply attuned. When paired with purposeful play, it becomes a powerful space for growth.

Every block pulled, every giggle shared, every moment of connection… it all adds up.

🐴✨ This is occupational therapy—creative, relational, and full of possibility.

18/02/2026

✨Ashleigh's Activity of the Week: Melissa & Doug Sort & Snap Colour Match ✨

This past week, Ashleigh brought out one of our absolute favourites in the therapy room — the Melissa & Doug Sort & Snap Colour Match game. It may look simple at first glance, but don’t be fooled… this little board packs a big developmental punch.

What we love most is how versatile it is. With just one activity, we can support a wide range of goals across different settings and positions. Depending on how we set it up, children can work on:

- Postural control — sitting on a wobble cushion, kneeling, or even standing at an easel to place the buttons
- Crossing the midline — reaching across the body to find and place pieces
- Prone extension — lying on the tummy while propping up on elbows to strengthen the back, neck, and shoulder girdle
- Fine motor precision — grasping, orienting, and snapping the buttons into place
- Visual perceptual skills — matching colours, completing patterns, and scanning for the correct pieces
- Planning and sequencing — deciding where to start, what comes next, and how to complete the picture

It’s colourful, engaging, and wonderfully adaptable — which means we can meet each child exactly where they are while still keeping therapy playful and motivating.

🌈

06/02/2026

🌟 Parents Info Day at Sacred Heart College 🌟

had such a wonderful morning at Parents Info Day!
It was a joy meeting so many parents and their kiddies, sharing what occupational therapy is all about, and chatting through the ways we support children’s development, confidence, and everyday participation.

Thank you to the Sacred Heart community for the warm welcome and the meaningful conversations. We loved being part of your information morning and look forward to building supportive partnerships with our families throughout the year 💛

16/01/2026

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Ashleigh! 🌟
We’re excited to start 2026 by welcoming a wonderful new therapist to our practice — Ashleigh!

Ashleigh brings a compassionate spirit, a strong clinical foundation, and a genuine passion for supporting individuals across the lifespan. She is dedicated to helping children, teens, and adults build confidence, independence, and meaningful everyday skills through evidence‑based occupational therapy.

Whether she’s in the therapy room, collaborating with families, or supporting clients through sensory, emotional, or mental‑health challenges, Ashleigh leads with warmth, curiosity, and a client‑centred approach.

We’re thrilled to have her on this journey with us and can’t wait for our families to meet her.
💚🌱

15/01/2026

✨ Welcome back! ✨
We’re stepping into 2026 with renewed purpose, fresh energy, and deep gratitude for the trust you place in us.

Our therapy rooms are reset, our sensory spaces are ready, and our horses are back in their paddocks waiting to meet you with calm, steady presence. Whether you’re joining us for paediatric occupational therapy, equine‑assisted sessions, or adult mental‑health support, we’re here to walk alongside you.

This year, we’re focusing on:
🌟 Strength‑based, child‑led therapy
🧠 Compassionate support for adults navigating mental‑health challenges
🐴 Equine‑assisted interventions that build regulation, confidence, and connection
🎨 Play that sparks joy and meaningful skill development
🤝 Collaborative care with families, teachers, and caregivers
📚 Evidence‑based practice that honours each person’s unique sensory and developmental profile

Thank you for being part of our community.
Here’s to a year of growth, resilience, and possibility — in the therapy room, in the arena, and in everyday life.

Let’s make 2026 a year of steady steps forward. 🌈

04/07/2025

04/07/2025

I am super excited to share that I have passed my Fidelity Measure, officially becoming an Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) trained therapist! Thank you to all our wonderful parents and kiddies who were so willing to be guinea pigs on this journey 🐹 thank you for providing such an in-depth (and intense) training, I am definitely a better therapist for it! 💜

03/06/2025

Definitely worth watching to better understand hippotherapy 🤩

Why the Horse?
In this recorded webinar, experienced PTs, OTs, and SLPs break down hippotherapy—how and why they use the horse's movement to help clients reach their goals.
Watch now to learn how horse movement enhances outcomes in physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy.
👉 bit.ly/43O631D