A dynamic allied health centre (NDIS registered provider) providing OT, Speech Pathology & Psychology
31/12/2025
The team at First Choice Allied Health are currently taking a well-earned break and the clinic is closed. We'll be back at 9am on Monday 5 January to help with your Allied Health needs. Please feel free to send us a message via the link below and we'll be in contact upon our return. Best wishes. 💛 https://www.firstchoiceallied.com.au/contact
The long holiday period is something many families look forward to – but it can also feel daunting. We've prepared seven tips to help you through the holiday period. Here's tip number 4.
👉 Tip 4: Support Emotional Regulation 😫🥴😟
Big feelings are common during the holidays. Changes in routine, increased social demands, and sensory overload can all contribute to meltdowns or emotional outbursts.
Try to notice early signs that your child is becoming overwhelmed and respond proactively. This might mean offering movement breaks, quiet time, or a change of activity. Emotion coaching – helping children name and understand their feelings without judgement – can also be powerful. Phrases like “I can see this feels really hard right now” help children feel understood and supported.
Remember, behaviour is communication. When things feel tricky, it’s often a sign that a child needs support, not discipline.❤️
29/12/2025
The long holiday period is something many families look forward to – but it can also feel daunting. We've prepared seven tips to help you through the holiday period. Here's tip number 3.
👉 Tip 3: Prepare for Holiday Programs and Transitions 🎒🧸
For families who are working, holiday programs can be a great support. However, new environments, unfamiliar staff, and changes in routine can be challenging for some children.
Where possible, prepare your child ahead of time. Talk about where they’ll be going, who might be there, and what the day might look like. Visiting the location beforehand, looking at photos, or using social stories can reduce anxiety. Packing familiar comfort items, snacks, or sensory tools can also help children feel more secure.
It’s also okay to acknowledge that transitions may be tricky. Planning calm, low-demand time after a holiday programme day can help children decompress.❤️
26/12/2025
The long holiday period is something many families look forward to – but it can also feel daunting. We've prepared seven tips to help you through the holiday period. Here's tip number 2.
👉 Tip 2: Balance Downtime and Activity📖
Holidays often come with pressure to “keep kids busy”, but too many activities can be just as overwhelming as too few. Many children need genuine downtime to rest and regulate – particularly after a busy school term.
Try to balance outings and holiday programmes with time at home. Quiet activities such as reading, drawing, Lego, puzzles, listening to audiobooks, or sensory play can help children recharge.
For children with ADHD, short bursts of physical activity throughout the day – like bike rides, trampoline time, or trips to the park – can support regulation and focus. ❤️
26/12/2025
The long holiday period is something many families look forward to – but it can also feel daunting. Families often find themselves juggling work commitments, holiday programs, childcare, and the reality of having children at home much more than usual.
For families with autistic children or children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), these changes can feel especially big.
The good news is that with some thoughtful planning and realistic expectations, the holiday period can be a time for connection, rest, and positive experiences – even if things don’t go perfectly all of the time.
Here are seven tips to help you through the holiday period.
👉 Tip 1: Keep Some Structure (Without Over-Scheduling) 📆
During the school year, children are used to predictable routines. When holidays arrive, that structure often disappears overnight. While a complete break from routines can feel freeing for some children, others – particularly autistic children or children with ADHD – may feel unsettled or dysregulated without some predictability.
Aim to introduce a loose daily rhythm. This might include regular wake-up and bedtimes, consistent mealtimes, and a general flow to the day (for example: morning activity, lunch, quiet time, and afternoon play). Visual schedules or simple daily plans can be helpful, especially for children who benefit from seeing what’s coming next. ❤️
22/12/2025
Feeling stressed in the lead-up to Christmas? 🎄
Try this psychologist-approved breathing technique to help your body slow down.
👉 Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds
👉 Pause briefly
👉 Breathe out slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds
👉 Repeat for 2–3 minutes
Longer exhales signal safety to your nervous system, helping reduce tension and calm racing thoughts — even on busy days.
You don’t need to feel calm for it to work. Just start breathing. 💛
17/12/2025
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! From all of us at First Choice Allied Health we wish you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful start to 2026. The clinic will be closed from 5pm on Friday 19th December, and will re-open at 9am on Monday 5th January. We look forward to seeing you next year. ❤️💚❤️
13/12/2025
We're excited to welcome Dr Atefeh Taghizadeh to the Occupational Therapy team.
Atefeh completed her PhD in Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University, where she deepened her expertise in paediatric, evidence-based practice. Her doctoral research focused on developing a practical tool to support clinicians working with children with cerebral palsy to implement motor learning strategies within upper limb therapy.
With over 15 years of experience as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Atefeh brings extensive knowledge, clinical skill, and passion to her role. Her professional interest lies in upper limb therapy and motor learning, where she draws on a diverse range of motor, behavioural, and cognitive approaches to support children’s development and participation.
She has worked with children presenting with a wide range of conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities (LD), Developmental Delays, and Cerebral Palsy, with a strong focus on promoting independence across self-care, play, education, social participation, and daily living.
Atefeh’s therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in evidence-based, child- and family-centred practice. She is dedicated to helping children and their families set meaningful goals, enhance functional capacity, and build confidence through collaborative and strengths-based intervention. Advocating for children’s rights, dignity, and opportunities for participation remains at the heart of her work.
We're so lucky to have her on the First Choice team! 🧡
09/12/2025
Last Friday, The First Choice Team celebrated the achievements of 2025 on the beautiful Yarra River, at Byblós - modern Lebanese restaurant.
The team enjoyed a delicious dinner together with lots of raucous conversation and laughter. The Bad Santa Kris Kringle tradition continued this year. 'Naughty' guests stole their colleague's gift. Poor Hong and Mel F had their cherished gifts stolen - these two gifts were seriously sought-after! In the end Hong received a substitute present of an egg cooker and Mel got some sweet treats.😆🐓🍫
Thank you to Mai and Hong for providing such a brilliant night and a special mention to Anh who graciously facilitated the Bad Santa hijinks.🧡
29/11/2025
Psychologists support children and adolescents to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and to build the skills they need to cope, connect, and thrive. They assess emotional, social, and behavioural development and provide evidence-based strategies to help young people feel more confident and in control.
Specifically, psychologists can help children and teens to:
👉 Understand and manage big emotions such as anxiety, anger, or sadness
👉 Build coping skills for stress, worry, and daily challenges
👉 Develop healthy thinking patterns and improve self-esteem
👉 Strengthen social skills, friendships, and communication
👉 Learn problem-solving skills and positive behaviour strategies
👉 Work through difficulties related to school, peer pressure, or family changes
👉 Receive tailored support for neurodivergent children and those with conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, and learning or behavioural concerns
With psychological support, children and teens can learn practical tools that build resilience, support their wellbeing, and help them navigate life with greater confidence and connection.
First Choice Allied Health have a number of psychology appointment slots available now. Please complete our intake form at https://www.firstchoiceallied.com.au/intake-form, or reach out to our reception on (03) 9687 2365 if you have any questions.💛
28/11/2025
Occupational Therapists assess and treat delays and disorders related to fine motor skills, sensory processing, motor planning and coordination, visual processing and perception, self care, and social emotional skills and regulation.
Specifically, OTs can help children to:
👉Develop fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys and develop good handwriting or computer skills
👉Improve eye–hand coordination so they can play and do needed school skills such as copy from the whiteboard or hit a ball
👉Master basic life skills such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and self-feeding
👉Learn positive behaviours and social skills by practicing how they manage frustration and anger
👉Get special equipment to help build their independence such as wheelchairs, bathing equipment, and dressing aids
Through occupational therapy children can learn strategies that set them up for success in the daily activities and interactions of their life.
First Choice Allied Health have a number of occupational therapy slots available now. Please complete our intake form at https://www.firstchoiceallied.com.au/intake-form, or reach out to our reception on (03) 9687 2365 if you have any questions.💚
25/11/2025
Due to recent growth in the First Choice team we currently have no waitlist for two of our three disciplines. This doesn't happen very often! If you've been considering therapy for yourself or a family member, now is a great time to get in contact.
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Whether your lifestyle is athletic or sedentary, foot pain is always undesirable. That’s why we are here to help you to rejuvenate you by eliminating all foot-related ailments.
We are one of the best podiatrists in your area. Equipped with the latest diagnostic tools and sports medicine supplies, our sprawling centre has dedicated facility for children, sportspersons and senior citizens. Our experienced and authorized staffs (podiatrists, orthotic and footwear technicians) are always ready to provide the best podiatric services at affordable cost.
We treat general podiatric conditions such as nails surgeries, corns, callous, plantar warts, ingrown nails, heel pain, ingrown toenails and fungal infections. We also treat chronic and acute foot, ankle, shin, knee, hip and lower back pain. We are expert in treating conditions. We provide high-quality podiatry foot care including life. Apart from children’s clumsiness, tripping, pigeon toe, out the toe, heel pain, knee pain, gait anomalies (unusual walking/running styles) and plantar fasciitis conditions. We provide high-quality podiatry foot care including video/computerize gait analysis, orthotics, podiatric assessments (both sports and general), footwear recommendation, and laboratory on site.
Apart from podiatric services, we also provide required advice regarding foot care.
We all offer several physiotherapy services which include – Acute Sports injury services, Balance & Proprioception, Biomechanical Analysis, BPPV – Vertigo Treatment, Core Exercises, Electrotherapy, Gait Analysis, Joint Mobilisation, Kinesiology Taping, Massage, Neurodynamics, Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation, Posture Correction, Real-Time Ultrasound, Resistance Band, Exercises, Soft Tissue Injury Care, Strength Exercises, Stretching Exercises, Swiss Ball Exercises, TENS Machine, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Vestibular Physio.
Further, we are experts in massage services like Remedial Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Acupuncture services. Please find more details in corresponding sections.
Most foot problems are treatable.
Be assured.
Your feet are in good hands.
By our premium services, we reduce your discomfort before it compromises your quality of life. Apart from podiatric services, we also provide required advice regarding foot care.
WHY CHOOSE US
Team of experienced podiatrists, physiotherapist, massage therapists, and acupuncturist.
Fare and transparent pricing
Ultra modern facility with all requisite tools
Dedicated facilities for sportspersons, children and senior citizens/VTA
