Let’s get started with 2026! In Australia, January is the “calm before the storm” as we anticipate the beginning of the school year (usually late Jan/early Feb). I’ve been enjoying a wonderful summer break but it is time to get organised. I’ve been decluttering and organising my office – you can see some of the…
I am unwrittenCan’t read my mindI’m undefinedI’m just beginningThe pen’s in my handEnding unplannedStaring at the blank page before youOpen up the dirty windowLet the sun illuminate the words that you could not find* When I started this blog, website, business in 2014… I didn’t really have a plan. I thought I would share a…
As we approach Christmas, I’m sharing a little last-minute festive cheer. I’ve shared these on social media and didn’t want you to miss out. Just to bring a smile. Q. Why did Santa visit the OT?A. He needed help with his “elf-regulation”. Q. Why was the reindeer great at handwriting?A. Because he always used proper…
🎄 End-of-Year OT Poem 🎄The school year’s nearly over — OTs far and wide agree,We’re a mix of tired, wired, overjoyed… and dreaming to be free!Some are finishing reports, eyes twitching from the strain,Some are stuffing last-minute resources into any box they can contain. Some are buzzing with excitement — “HOLIDAYS ARE NEAR!”While others whisper…
If I asked you what makes handwriting readable, what would you say? Writing on the line? Recognisable letters?Spacing between letters?Spacing between words? Would you include punctuation? Capitalisation? Spelling? As an OT, we are often asked about functional handwriting. What does that really mean? It can mean scribble on the page for a toddler. Writing one’s own name…
Getting dressed. Feeding ourselves. Toileting. Brushing our teeth. These self-care tasks require coordinated fine and gross motor movements. Using pencils and crayons to draw. Cutting paper with scissors. These tasks with “tools” require coordinated fine and gross motor movements. Playing football. Dancing, Completing puzzles. Playing a board game. These leisure activities require coordinated fine and…
What happens when you ask a child to take deep breaths? Do they sound like they are hyperventaliting? Do they take one breath and say that’s enough? Do they take a shallow breath? We know that breathing is an important regulation tool. It helps to lower one’s heart rate, blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, improve…
OTs value every child as an individual. OTs value learning at an individual’s own pace. OTs value a child achieving their own milestones. There is also value in comparing a child’s strengths and challenges with others or with developmental expectations. Choosing the right standardised occupational therapy assessment can be an important step in understanding a…
Sensory. When you hear the word “sensory”, what do you think of? Do you think of rice, sand or shaving cream? These things may provide sensory experiences but “sensory” is much than that! We all interact with the world around us. Taking in sensory information, interacting with it and managing a balance to perform our…
Balance. Movement. Direction. Speed. Gravity. A powerful sensory system. The brain processes vestibular sensations received through the fluid and hair receptors in the inner ear. These inner ear receptors are stimulated by gravity. The vestibular system tells us about our head and body position in relation to the earth and sends information to our central…