Xavier Children's Support Network

24/04/2026

🌺Lest We Forget

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

23/04/2026

🌈 School holiday fun! ✨

While it’s almost a wrap on the first week back at school, we’re still smiling about all the great moments shared over the holidays ✨

From music and art, to slime-making, hand painting, creative play and getting out and about on beautiful autumn days, Lochlainn, Marcus, Cailin, Riley, Keira and Maddie got stuck into all sorts of activities!

The holidays are always a special time, full of creativity, connection and plenty of joy. 🍂

22/04/2026

👕 Dressing with confidence

Getting dressed can be overwhelming for some children including children with developmental delays and sensory differences. 💛

Here are some tips that may help:
👀Break tasks into small, visual steps
✅Let your child practice one step at a time
🏃Movement or stretching first helps the body feel ready and alert

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we help families navigate the support available. If you’d like further information, reach out to: developmentaldelay@xavier.org.au 🌟

20/04/2026

💛 In loving memory of Chester 💛

We will dearly miss Chester, our much-loved Delta Therapy dog. Chester brought comfort, joy and countless cuddles to the children and young people at Xavier Place over many years.

Chester had a special way of settling into Xavier Place whenever he visited with his owner Brad. He would quietly sit alongside a young person, offering a gentle nudge for a pat, always a calm and steady presence at Xavier Place.

We will treasure these moments, they meant so much to the children and young people we support.

Thank you, Brad and family, for so generously sharing Chester with us. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Sending our heartfelt condolences to Brad and family. 🐾💛

16/04/2026

👔 Buttons made simple

Learning to do up buttons can be a challenge for children with sensory differences and that’s okay! 💛

Try these strategies:
✅Use a mirror to enable your child to see the buttons, to help them follow their movements.
💬Try step-by-step verbal prompts like “use two fingers, pinch, move the fabric over the button.”
👐Try moving their hands gently to show where to place fingers—one step at a time.
💜Small, guided steps help children gain confidence and independence in everyday skills.

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we help families navigate the support available. If you’d like further information, reach out to: developmentaldelay@xavier.org.au 🌟

Xavier in partnership with the Queensland Department of Child Safety, Disability Services and Seniors, is proudly the peak body service for children with developmental delay in Queensland. We have established this service to assist Queenslanders who experience developmental delay and their service p...

14/04/2026

🎨 Celebrating World Art Day 🎨

Today is World Art Day, a moment to celebrate creativity, imagination, and the joy that art brings. At Xavier, we see our Art Therapy programs bring this to life every day for our children and young people with complex disability.

Through painting, drawing and other creative activities, our Art Therapists help children to:

💡Express feelings and ideas in new ways
😌Build confidence and self-belief
🌏Connect with others and their world
😆Discover joy, curiosity, and creativity

We’re so proud of the ways Art Therapy opens doors to connection, growth and possibility—showing just how powerful art can be.

🌟 To learn more about Art Therapy at Xavier email intake@xavier.org.au

12/04/2026

🎵 Connecting through Music🎵

This Music Therapy Week, we’re celebrating the incredible work of our Xavier Music Therapists supporting our children and young people to connect with the world around them.

This year, the Australian Music Therapy Association theme invites everyone to “Connect with music therapy”—and at Xavier, we see this connection every day:

🎶Helping children engage with their families, peers and communities through shared musical experiences
💜Using creative approaches tailored to each child’s unique needs
💬Collaborating with other therapists and families to support development and wellbeing
💞Supporting , confidence and emotional expression
😌Using music to help children feel more comfortable in their bodies, manage pain, relax and build a positive sense of self

Our talented Music Therapists create moments that transcend barriers, spark joy and open doors to new experiences. We love your work!🎶

09/04/2026

🏓 Connection, consistency and community

Every Thursday morning, Joel heads to UQ for a game of pickleball with his support worker, Oli.

Even during his stays at Xavier Place, this much-loved routine continues. It’s a simple but powerful example of how staying connected to familiar people, places and activities can make all the difference.

Moments like this bring continuity of care to life, supporting our children and young people to keep doing what they love.

💜

Welcome!At Xavier, we have been providing disability support to Brisbane children and young people...

08/04/2026

🤝 Social skills, one step at a time

Making friends can be challenging for some children (and even some adults!) including those with developmental delays and sensory differences.

A few tips that may help your child feel more comfortable and confident:

💜Acknowledge their feelings after social interactions, even tricky ones and guide self-reflection: “Did this make feel happy or upset?”
😌Offer a clear way to regulate if they get overwhelmed
🌱Provide a loose structure during shared activities

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we help families navigate the support available. If you’d like further information, reach out to: developmentaldelay@xavier.org.au 🌟

04/04/2026

🌿 Wishing our Xavier community a peaceful and hope-filled Easter 🌿

This Easter, we take a moment to reflect on hope, compassion and the importance of being connected to one another.

Across Xavier, we see this in shared moments, friendships that blossom and confidence that gives our children and young people a true sense of belonging.

May this Easter bring you time to slow down, connect and enjoy the company of those who matter most.

From all of us at Xavier, we wish you a safe and happy Easter 💛

02/04/2026

🌼 Blooming confidence in the garden 🌼

At Xavier Place, Joel took the lead in the garden, confidently watering the plants and caring for our beautiful outdoor spaces. 💧

Gardening is part of Joel’s everyday routine around the house and a task he takes pride in and approaches with purpose.

We intentionally provide accessible, meaningful activities at Xavier Place so our guests can build independence through genuine participation in daily living. 🌿
We love your work Joel! ❤️

31/03/2026

🌈 Bringing art, connection and community to our streets! 🌟

Yesterday, our Art Therapist Charlotte Lanchester, with Sandra Daniels, GM Clinical Services, attended the Artforce Awards at Brisbane City Hall – celebrating the amazing artworks transforming our Brisbane streets.

We were so proud to be nominated in the “Best Organisation” category for our traffic signal box artwork beside Xavier Place in Yeerongpilly. The mural celebrates identity, strength, interconnectedness and community and shines a light on the individuality of the children and young people we support and who helped bring the artwork to life. 💛

A huge thank you to Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner for hosting such a wonderful event that celebrates creativity, community and connection. 🎨✨