Play-based Paediatrics Allied Health Services

Play-based Paediatrics Allied Health Services Mobile Paediatric Physiotherapist using evidence-based play-based therapies covering most of the South East Queensland region.

I am a mobile paediatric Physiotherapist with my masters in sports medicine with 25 years experience in the rehabilitation, paediatrics, disability and aged care sector working with all patients from children to the elderly. Specialising in paediatric Physiotherapy, I utilise mainly play and sensory-based techniques as well as hydrotherapy with an ND affirming, individualised approach. I offer full assessments and reports. I utilise home based therapy and well as hydrotherapy and am a qualified swimming coach for children with special needs to develop water safety skills up to swimming. I can also provide a Telehealth service for those that are either very remote or find face to face therapy difficult. I travel over greater south-east Queensland treating patients with quite varied and often complex conditions from babies to young adults. Treatment is guided by clinical assessment with due consideration to underlying diagnosis, the findings of other therapists and the goals and interests of the client. In this initial assessment I identify areas needing strengthening or improved function/ coordination in any way. There are many ways to achieve the same end goal, which will differ based on what motivates and interest my patients. Some patients benefit mainly from hydrotherapy and others from a play-based program that we vary as their interest varies and others benefit from a combination. Some older clients may benefit more from a sport-based or gym-like program. Either way, the goal is to keep Physiotherapy fun and not just another thing they need to endure. If you are interested, send me a message and I’ll see what I can do.

Not all children develop movement skills at the same pace — and that’s okay. 💛Some children run before they walk.Some sk...
08/03/2026

Not all children develop movement skills at the same pace — and that’s okay. 💛
Some children run before they walk.
Some skip crawling.
Some need a little more time to build balance, coordination or confidence.

But sometimes parents notice small signs like:
• frequent falls
• not crossing their midline
• avoiding playground equipment
• difficulty jumping, hopping or climbing
• trouble keeping up with other children
• frustration with physical activities

These signs do not mean anything is wrong with your child.
But they can mean your child may benefit from support to build movement skills and confidence.
At Play-Based Paediatrics, children develop physical skills through fun play-based therapy that helps them feel relaxed and engaged.

We also offer:
✔ Mobile visits (home, school or kindy)
✔ Hydrotherapy in warm water to support strength and confidence

Sometimes a little support can make a big difference.
If you have questions about your child’s movement or development, send us a message or call 0418 772 542.
And feel free to share this with another parent who may find it helpful. 💛

Were there Neurodivergent Dinosaurs? 🦕Today’s physiotherapy session might have uncovered some evidence…These dinosaurs w...
08/03/2026

Were there Neurodivergent Dinosaurs? 🦕

Today’s physiotherapy session might have uncovered some evidence…

These dinosaurs were created by a child during a dinosaur-themed therapy session. Through play we worked on fine motor skills, gross motor skills, coordination and movement goals linked to therapy plans.

But the most wonderful moment came with the colours.
Many children enjoy making dinosaurs in familiar colours. This child chose something completely different and created a beautiful and unexpected combination.

That kind of creative thinking is something we often see in neurodivergent minds.

It reminds us that children experience the world in many different ways. When therapy gives them space to explore ideas, confidence and creativity grow alongside their physical skills.
In paediatric physiotherapy we absolutely work toward goals, especially for children supported through the NDIS. Progress matters.

But the best sessions feel like play.
When children laugh, experiment and create something they feel proud of, they stay engaged and motivated. That is when real progress happens.

And if a child walks out thinking they just had a fun dinosaur adventure rather than “therapy”… we know the session worked exactly as it should.

We still can’t prove dinosaurs were neurodivergent…
but we can definitely celebrate the brilliant ways children think and create.

What colours would your dinosaur be? 🦖

16/02/2026

When your child struggles with balance, fatigue, core strength and tone, coordination, strength or everyday skills, you do not need more repetitive drills.
You need therapy that works.
In my sessions, your child sees games, movement, challenge and achievement.
I see progress.
Behind every activity, I target:
• Balance and core strength
• Motor planning
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Sensory-motor coordination
• Hand–eye coordination
• Proprioception
• Retained primitive reflexes
• And more, based on a personalised assessment
Every game has purpose.
Every session follows clear goals.
Every activity builds measurable outcomes.
If I do my job well, it looks like play.
Children do not respond to rigid, repetitive exercises.
They respond to laughter, challenge, connection and success.
That is where real therapy happens.
As a paediatric physiotherapist — and as a parent of a child with complex needs — I understand how clinical, inflexible therapy can lead to disengagement. I design every session around trust first. Progress follows naturally.
The results go beyond the session:
Stronger bodies.
Better endurance.
Improved coordination.
Greater independence with dressing, riding a bike, swimming and daily routines.
And even more importantly:
Confidence.
Independence.
Self-esteem.
If you want therapy your child looks forward to — and results you can measure — schedule your personalised assessment now.

16/02/2026

I was asked recently,
“What’s the big breakthrough helping children with Trisomy 21 achieve such incredible results?”
The truth?
There isn’t one single breakthrough.
The shift comes down to two things.
First — better access to therapy through the NDIS.
Second — therapists who refuse to place limits on what these children can achieve.
When children with Trisomy 21 receive consistent, targeted physiotherapy in a supportive environment, they thrive.
When therapy includes both land-based sessions and hydrotherapy, we build strength, coordination and confidence in ways that truly translate to everyday life.
And when expectations change, outcomes change.
We see children master gross motor skills people once thought were out of reach.
We see first goals scored.
First baskets shot.
First moments of “I did it.”
The difference?
The right support.
The right team.
And a belief that potential has no ceiling.

If your child has PDA, read this. And save it for later.Not all behaviour is defiance.Not all refusal is manipulation.No...
12/02/2026

If your child has PDA, read this. And save it for later.

Not all behaviour is defiance.
Not all refusal is manipulation.
Not all meltdowns are about discipline.

In children with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), resistance often means:
• “I feel anxious.”
• “I feel out of control.”
• “This feels unsafe.”
• “I am overwhelmed.”
• "I simply can't do this right now...but /I can't tell you why"

Pressure increases anxiety.
Anxiety increases avoidance.
Avoidance increases conflict.
And parents get blamed.

You may have heard:
“He just needs firmer boundaries.”
“She is choosing this behaviour.”
“You need to be more consistent.”
But PDA is NOT about poor parenting.
It is about a nervous system that is constantly stuck in fight or flight or "threat mode".

Even normal body sensations like thirst or hunger can trigger a feeling of threat and trigger a shut down or melt down.

When professionals focus only on behaviour, they miss the cause.

When we understand the anxiety underneath, everything changes.
Support becomes:
• Collaborative
• Flexible
• Regulating
• Relationship-based

Progress happens when a child feels safe.
And therapy works best when it:
• Sees the whole child
• Listens to parents
• Understands co-occurring sensory and motor differences
• Respects neurodiversity

If you feel unheard or stressed out you are not alone. Remember to take care of yourself and your family. Parental burnout is also real.
If traditional strategies have failed, you are not failing. They are simply NOT suited to your child.

Save this post for the days when doubt creeps in.
Share it with a teacher, therapist, or family member who needs to understand PDA better.

And if you want support from a team that understands anxiety-driven behaviour and works with your child — not against them — send us a DM or book an initial consultation through the link in our bio.
Your child is not a problem to fix.They are a person to understand.

14/01/2026

After a lifetime of therapy appointments—and an increasing awareness of how they may differ from their peers—it’s very common for adolescents to begin refusing therapy. This is completely natural, and engaging them requires a very different approach.
At play-based paediatrics, we work hard to include tweens and teens as equals in discussions about their therapy, involving them directly in goal-setting and linking therapy to what matters to them. So instead of “improving gross motor skills,” the goal might be making the basketball team. Instead of “increasing core strength,” it might be learning to ride a bike.
Sessions need to be fast-paced, purposeful, and fun. I stay closely attuned to their mood and engagement, and I’m always ready to hand over more control if I sense they’re disengaging. We play sport-based games—and we play for keeps.
For those who flatly refuse therapy, we often start with something irresistible to them—LEGO, ten-pin bowling, or another personal favourite. Once trust and rapport are established, we can gradually branch out into other activities that support their therapy goals.
If your tween or teen is struggling to accept the therapy you know they need, don’t hesitate to get in touch. There isanother way.

EXCITING NEWS! Play-based Paediatrics is getting a new Physiotherapist for 2026!We hope that all of the families that ar...
11/01/2026

EXCITING NEWS! Play-based Paediatrics is getting a new Physiotherapist for 2026!
We hope that all of the families that are part of Play-based Paediatrics had a wonderful and hopefully peaceful new year.
Peter’s enthusiasm, passion and energy that has made our service so popular has meant that we have been looking to grow. Over the last 12 months we have been tirelessly searching for a special therapist who can add even more fun, life and laughter to the lives of our precious clients.
At last we can announce we have finally found our unicorn, Nghi! Nghi is a passionate physio, with a drive for excellence, the ability to offer both pool and land-based therapy, and most importantly she knows how to make therapy fun!
Nghi has been working in the area of paediatrics treating and diagnosing a broad base of conditions. Once Nghi saw our page, she knew straight away that she wanted to join us to deliver a play-based alternative to the boring, repetitive and clinical options being offered elsewhere and light up children’s days whilst, at the same time, helping them meet their developmental milestones and thriving.
Nghi will be joining Peter to relieve some of his load while also taking on her own clients. She will be seeing children in the pool and in their own homes and currently still has some capacity. If you are interested in having Nghi join your child’s therapy team, get in contact, and we will see if we can fit you on her list which commences February 2.

10/01/2026

Functional Therapy is a term people will hear a lot with respect to adult training and gyms. Play-based Physiotherapy utilises this exact approach only in younger children, it's play/ games or modified sports based on their personal goals or interests.
Functional therapy focuses on practising everyday activities and play — the kinds of movements typically developing children do without thinking.
This approach is far more effective than repetitive, isolated exercises. (The more traditional approach to therapy) Functional activities naturally combine strength, coordination, balance and motor planning, while also activating multiple muscle groups and nerve pathways at the same time. These methods are increasingly used in adult sports training — and for good reason.
For many of our children, we’re supporting much more than strength alone. We’re working on coordination, balance, motor planning and proprioception — and just as importantly, confidence. There’s something incredibly powerful about a child finally being able to play the games their peers or siblings seem to find so easy.
Through play, children are also learning skills they can use in social situations, improving inclusion and self-esteem — values that sit at the heart of everything we do. Because at the end of the day, every parent wants the same thing: to see their child happy. And nothing beats that smile when a child realises they’ve mastered a new skill.
What may look like a simple game can lead to meaningful, lasting change — often far more effectively than traditional, highly structured exercise programs.

We have 2 gingerbread houses - One is neat and tidy. The other is wild and creative. One was made by a child diagnosed w...
05/01/2026

We have 2 gingerbread houses - One is neat and tidy. The other is wild and creative. One was made by a child diagnosed with Autism Level 2. The other by a neurotypical child. But here’s the truth — it could be either.

Autism doesn’t come with a blueprint. Every child is different. Some seek structure. Others seek stimulation. Some love texture. Others avoid it. The way they experience and express the world is deeply individual.

We are not about fitting children into boxes but seeing them for who they truly are. 🌈

A hole in the wall is not at all uncommon in Australian homes. Plasterboard is so fragile. It is however a sign that par...
23/09/2025

A hole in the wall is not at all uncommon in Australian homes. Plasterboard is so fragile. It is however a sign that parents of children with special needs know all too well. Whether your child has a diagnosis of ASD and pathological demand avoidance, oppositional defiant disorder or ADHD and too many other combinations to mention, broken gyprock can be a secret tell that parents caring for similar children can understand too well. We are all often way too tired or burnt out to fix it or get someone to fix it as it is often the least important of many tasks in our overloaded in tray. We’re often just in “survival” mode. We do however feel self conscious about it and often avoid having visitors over so they don’t see it. This also leads us to further isolation, which of course makes things worse, as we lose our support networks and social contact and a valuable means to release tension and relax.

Almost the same is true of the messy house. We are trained to be house proud and the idea of people seeing our messy house is horrifying. The truth is however that in the majority of houses caring for a child with special needs, some housework tasks don’t make the daily priority list and remain undone. We should not feel ashamed of our unfolded washing, our tables covered in junk or even the overflowed recycle bin. These are signs that we have our priorities right and that we are deploying our biggest energies to caring for our child. If there is insufficient time left over to polish the bench tops then the world will have to deal with that. We have to be aware of changing our own behaviour and try to still have friends over regardless. If you can’t get past society’s expectations of the tidy house then consider meeting friends in a park or cafe.
Don’t be afraid to discuss your fears with your friends as you will almost always find them more understanding than you may have thought. Remember that to be the best carer you can be, you have to make time and care of yourself. Remember that we, as parents, are the life raft.


PS - these are the photos my wife would let me post….. meaning our actual house is like a bomb zone.

As a dedicated paediatric physiotherapist, I’ve seen many children living with cerebral palsy benefit from hydrotherapy...
21/09/2025

As a dedicated paediatric physiotherapist, I’ve seen many children living with cerebral palsy benefit from hydrotherapy.
Supported through the NDIS, hydrotherapy is a fantastic tool that supports physical well-being facilitating muscle movements through the support and warmth of the muscles that would otherwise often be painful. The children also love the goals they can achieve within their own limitations.
Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Weightless Movement - The buoyancy of water supports the body, reducing strain on muscles and joints. This allows children to move more freely, improving mobility and increasing muscle strength without the pressure of gravity.

2. Muscle Relaxation: Warm water helps to relax tight muscles, making stretching and movement more effective. This can significantly reduce spasticity and improve comfort levels.

3. Enhanced Mobility: The resistance of water provides a gentle and supportive environment to build strength and encourage better motor function, enhancing day-to-day mobility.

4. Boosted Confidence: Success in the water can translate to improved self-esteem. Children gain confidence as they achieve new milestones in a safe and fun setting.

5. Sensory Benefits: Hydrotherapy provides a multi-sensory experience, which can help children adapt to different sensory stimuli, enhancing their sensory processing abilities.

By incorporating hydrotherapy into therapy plans, we create a dynamic and enjoyable way to support our young clients on their journey to greater independence and improved quality of life.

For more information on how hydrotherapy can benefit your child and how to access services through the NDIS, feel free to reach out.

Hydrotherapy can offer immense benefits to children with cerebral palsy that are fun, pain free and will increase their ability to engage in life.

Thought I’d share this. It refers to allparents of children with special needs, mums or dads sharing the journey of seek...
01/05/2025

Thought I’d share this. It refers to all
parents of children with special needs, mums or dads sharing the journey of seeking help for their children as best they can….. that feeling of exhaustion and that what your doing is never enough is not at all uncommon…. .

I see you taking your kid to therapy while your friends take their kids to football or ballet.

I see you sneak out of the conversation when all your friends boast about achievements and exam notes.

I see you juggle events and meetings.

I see you sitting on the computer for hours investigating what your child needs.

I see you make a bad face when people complain about what looks like nonsense.

I see you disappear little by little but you keep going beyond for your family.

I see you pull strength from weakness with a force you didn't even dream you had.

I see you showing respect for teachers, therapists and medical professionals who help your child and help you.

Watching you wake up early in the morning to do it all again after another chaotic night.

I see you when you're on the edge of the precipice struggling to live.

I know you feel invisible, like no one notices.
But I want you to know that I see you.

I see you push forward always. I see you choose to do everything you can to give your child the best care at home, school, therapy and the doctors.
What you do matters. It's worth the struggle.

On those days when you wonder if you can make it one more minute, I want you to know I see you.

I want you to know that you are beautiful.
I want you to know it's worth it. I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to know that love is the most important thing, and that you are the best at it.

And in those days when you see an improvement, those moments when hard work has its reward, and you can taste success, I'll see you then too.
And I'm proud of you.

Whatever day today.....you're doing it right.

And I see you. ❤

✒ Alethea Mshar

📷 John Walker / Flickr

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Brisbane, QLD

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+61418772542

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