Octavia Therapies

17/12/2025

With the end of the year drawing to a close, I want to wish all my wonderful clients, families, friends, and colleagues a restful, joyful, and blissful Christmas. Thank you for the opportunity to share the journey of 2025 with you.

Octavia Therapies will be offline and taking time to recharge my own batteries from close of business today until 19th January 2026. Please be aware that any emails or messages received during this time will be responded to once I return to the clinic in the new year.

Until then... Merry Christmas!
- Rita

01/12/2025

The holiday book pile is stocked and waiting!

Octavia Therapies will be have reduced hours from 15th to 18th December. We will be closed and offline from 19th December until 19th January.

For anyone looking for OT assessments or sessions for start of 2026… Get in touch now to secure your appointment.

23/11/2025

Spotted this wonderful little initiative in our nation capital over the weekend.
If you are ever at the Australian Portrait Gallery, head up to the info desk. The lovely staff there have these kits available for anyone who may need some tools to help enjoy their spaces.
🙏❤️

14/11/2025

❤️ How wonderful would it be to see some of our wonderful families with little ones on Play School!

Do you know a child who'd love to be on Play School? 👀

Play School are on the lookout for children with disability to appear in our 'Through The Windows' segments for new and exciting upcoming series! ✨🎥

Full instructions on how to make a submission can be found below.
Submissions close Friday 28th November at 11:59pm AEST.

11/11/2025

Although some of the language used in the promo is a little off, the sentiment and enthusiasm is there. An inclusive, neuroaffirming engaging activity for children with ASD and ADHD in Brisbane? Yes please! This looks 1000% awesome!

ADHD & ASD isn’t a curse — it’s a superpower.

Meet 1000% ME — a circus-based workshop series designed just for boys and girls with ADHD/ASD aged 7-12.

Circus is for every MIND and BODY. It has the capacity to unlock your child's smarts and special gifts. Circus is filled with ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Created in partnership with psychologists from Harvard University, Artistic Directors from Cirque du Soleil, Cluster Arts and world-class performers - this world-first experience helps kids:

🎪 Discover their strengths & superpowers
🎯 Learn to focus for success
💬 Build better friendships

In this safe space, each child can express their true self.

NDIS approved. Spaces limited for maximum intimacy.

Dec 16, 17 - Flipside Circus, Brisbane.

More states to follow in January.

10/11/2025

Are you aware of additional financial supports offered through Centrelink and other services, such as the Carer Adjustmenr Payment (CAP)?

Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP)
CAP is a one off payment of up to $10,000 to assist families adjusting to the care needs of their child who has had a catastrophic event or diagnosis.

This is not a Centrelink payment, but Centrelink collects the paperwork on behalf of the department of social services. The decision to approve or reject is not made by a Centrelink officer.

To apply (basic criteria - read link for more info)

1. child diagnosed / catastrophic event before 7 years of age
2. apply within 2 years of diagnosis
3. be on Carer Allowance $159.30/fn for the child
4. be ineligible for income support payments from Centrelink (ie income too high for other payments). **This means people on DSP, PPS, PPP, Carer Payment or Jobseeker can NOT apply**
5. show a strong need for financial support

Examples of event/diagnosis. Note there is no official list of what is or is not eligible. All claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- fall with major injury
- cancer diagnosis
- ASD diagnosis
- birth injury causing cerebral palsy
- muscular dystrophy diagnosis
- fire causing severe burns

https://www.dss.gov.au/supporting-carers/carer-adjustment-payment-claims

Process
- child is diagnosed /event happens
- apply for Carer Allowance
- test eligibility for Carer Payment / other income support payment
- if approved for CA but not CP, apply for CAP

10/11/2025

Octavia Therapies families, please be aware that there is some noise nearby the clinic over the next few days while our neighbours are having some renovation work completed. If you or your little one is sensititive to loud or unexpected sounds, you may wish to bring headphones.

08/11/2025

Upcoming events at Arana Hills library.

ARANA HILLS LIBRARY
SPECIAL EVENTS – DISABILITY ACTION WEEK

Fri 14 Nov: LEGO for everyone. 11am – 12pm.
Adults living with disability and their carers are invited to build with LEGO®. Bookings required. For adults.

Sat 15 Nov: Speechie Talks. 10.15am – 11.15am.
Join us to hear a local speech pathologist explain the role of speech pathologists in language and literacy development for 0 to 5 year olds. Free. Bookings required. For adults.

Thurs 27 Nov: Sensory Santa. 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Create memories this Christmas with a family photo with Santa using your own camera. While everyone is welcome, this activity especially welcomes families with neurodivergent children and adults with disabilities to this low-sensory session. Book into a 15-minute timeslot. Free. For all ages.

Book at: mbrc.qld.gov.au/libraries/events

28/10/2025

How wonderful is this? ❤️

10/09/2025

Want to start your day with a smile?? Watch this guy’s joy as he dismounts. ❤️

03/09/2025

Allison is back in term 4!!
Get in quick! Experienced therapists with availability is a rarity!

22/08/2025

A QUT Bachelor Of Design student is completing a project about play and the link to child's development. There is need to hear from neurodiverse families experience. It only takes a few moments to complete a survey:

This survey contains a series of questions for you to answer without bias for research purposes. This research is related to the social development of Neurodivergent (ND) children and how play and furniture supports this process. Prior research indicates that ND children generally desire to play wit...