Sensational Kids

28/04/2026

Still teaching the “bunny ears” method and it’s just not clicking? Try this instead 👇

has come up with the Lace Loop Lock trick - a simple shoelace method that helps kids finally master tying their shoes, even if they’ve struggled with other techniques for years.

Why this approach works so well:
✔️ Simpler to learn
✔️ Easier to fix mistakes without starting over
✔️ Great for kids who find sequencing or finger coordination tricky
✔️ Builds confidence quickly

Sometimes it’s not about trying harder, it’s about trying a different approach.

🎥 Watch how it works via the link in the comments.

[Image Description: A child wearing a cap and casual clothes sits on a bench, focused on tying their shoelaces, with a skateboard nearby]

23/04/2026

Why do we often suggest breathing strategies?
Breathing strategies are evidence-informed and effective for many people, particularly for reducing physiological arousal (e.g. stress and anxiety).

What the evidence shows:
- Slow, controlled breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the body’s “calm” system)
- It can reduce heart rate and feelings of stress
- It supports a shift toward a more regulated state where thinking and engagement are easier

The nuance:
- It doesn’t work the same way for everyone
- It’s not a standalone solution for all regulation challenges
- It works best when taught, practised, and paired with other supports

If your child is needing support with regulation, our multidisciplinary team is here to help. Reach out to learn more about how we can support your child’s individual needs.

[Image Description: Rainbow illustration with instructions on how to do Rainbow Breathing}

12/04/2026

“Heavy work” is considered activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting or carrying, which provides proprioceptive input, which helps the brain understand the body and can support regulation.

For many children, this type of input can:

• support attention and engagement
• promote a sense of calm
• build body awareness and coordination
• develop strength and motor skills
• support emotional regulation

It’s important to note that responses can vary and not every child will find heavy work calming. It is most effective when tailored to the child and used as part of a broader support approach. Occupational therapy support can help you identify what works best for your child and support you to embed these strategies into everyday routines, building regulation, participation and confidence over time.

Give us a call on (03) 8560 4060 for our Kensington clinic or (03) 9578 7560 for our Cheltenham clinic.

[Image description: Three children stand on green carpet in a large indoor space, pulling together on a rope]

09/04/2026

Earlier this month on April 2nd, we recognised World Autism Awareness Day, a time to celebrate neurodiversity, build understanding and continue creating communities where everyone feels valued and included.

🌟 What is Autism?
Autism is a natural part of human diversity. It shapes how a person experiences the world, communicates and interacts, with each individual having their own strengths, preferences and needs.

💡 Why does it matter?
💙 Inclusion – understanding leads to more supportive and accessible environments
💙 Early support – recognising differences helps families access the right supports
💙 Acceptance – autism isn’t something to change, but something to understand and respect

🔎 Looking for support?
If you have questions or would like guidance, connecting with a GP or allied health professional is a great first step. There are a range of supports available across Australia, including NDIS and community services.

09/04/2026

School holidays can be a great time to slow down, reconnect and gently support your child with some of the social challenges they may have experienced during Term 1.

A great book recommendation is The Not-So-Friendly Friend, which is a simple but powerful story that helps children understand the difference between friendly and unfriendly behaviours in relationships.

It’s especially helpful for children navigating tricky friendships or feeling unsure in social situations. Reading it together creates a natural opportunity to talk about kindness, boundaries and trusting your feelings.

If your child needs extra support with friendships or social confidence, our team is here to help. We work alongside families to build skills for healthy, positive relationships.

11/03/2026

Dear Sensational Kids families,

Sensational Kids has been using the DIR Framework to help guide and structure our multidisciplinary therapies since 2007. We were the first DIR Floortime provider in Victoria and one of a handful in Australia. We have seen thousands of our little clients grow and develop with the help of this framework. This wonderful child-led and neuroaffirming therapy framework is one of several the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee is reviewing. We train all of our team in DIR when they join us and we are fortunate to have had several team members progress over many years of training to be expert level DIR Floortime trainers and parent coaches.

As your therapy team, we are looking reaching out on behalf of DIR Floortime advocates and trainers in Australia who are collecting real parent experiences of DIR Floortime to support an important submission to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Commitee. Your voice truly matters, and it will only take a few minutes!

All responses are completely anonymous and confidential. Please complete the short survey in the link below:

02/03/2026

We couldn’t have worded this better - thanks Kids First Children's Services.

📣 We really didn’t want families and educators to miss this.

From today, 1 March, Medicare has expanded funding for children and young people under 25 who need speech therapy.

Because this change literally starts today, many families - and even some GPs - may not have heard about it yet.

And for some children, this could make a very real difference.

If a child in your life is experiencing:

• Stuttering
• Ongoing difficulty being understood
• Persistent speech sound errors
• Childhood apraxia of speech or dysarthria
• Speech differences related to cleft lip and/or palate

There is now an expanded Medicare pathway that may help reduce the cost of assessment and therapy.

Until age 25, this includes:

✔️ Up to 8 assessment sessions
✔️ Up to 20 treatment sessions
✔️ $87.25 rebate per eligible session (March 2026)

That’s more sessions - and a higher rebate - than many families realise is available.

And we know how much this matters.

Communication shapes everything for a child.

When children can express their wants, needs and feelings clearly, they connect more easily. They make friends. They join in. They ask for help. They show what they know. They participate in learning with confidence.

When support is delayed because of cost, children don’t just “wait”. Sometimes they speak less. Hold back. Work harder than they should just to keep up. Confidence can quietly shrink.

That’s why we’re sharing this.

Not everyone will qualify - but someone in your circle might.

If you’re a parent, or if you work with children and families, it may be worth checking this update and having a conversation with your GP.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pass on information that could change a child’s trajectory 💛

Please share so families and educators don’t miss it.

17/02/2026

Book Spotlight!

At Sensational Kids, we love sharing resources that help families start meaningful conversations about difference, identity and belonging.

Our first recommendation is The Brain Forest written by Sandhya Menon.

This beautiful story follows a mother and her son as they journey through the “Brain Forest,” discovering the many different ways brains can work. If you're looking for a conversation starter at home or in the classroom, this one is a wonderful addition to your bookshelf.

It’s a warm, accessible read that:
• Encourages children to understand and appreciate differences
• Supports families to talk openly about neurodiversity
• Promotes a strengths-based mindset
• Offers practical ideas for creating more inclusive environments

Stay tuned as we continue sharing some of our favourite neurodiversity-affirming reads!

Image description: A bright illustrated cover featuring a whimsical forest where treetops are shaped like colourful, uniquely patterned brains in soft pink, yellow, blue and green tones against a lush green background.

16/02/2026

Thanks Sue Larkey for this important post. See comments for how time blindness can present in kids.

✨ COMMENT '332' ✨ and I will send you this weeks podcast and some great printouts for your staffroom.

👉 I firmly believe that making time accessible to neurodiverse students is a game-changer in our classrooms and homes. After all, time is a universal 🌎 language, and everyone deserves to speak it fluently 💖.

15/02/2026

Our team are well into the swing of 2026 and we have some availability across sites - call us today to secure your child’s 2026 therapy journey!

15/02/2026

Please read and sign! Thriving Kids is going to be catastrophic for education and early childhood - for the kids, their families and educators alike.

Teachers, Families, Allied Health & NDIS Professionals United — Say No to Thriving Kids

13/02/2026

Gwyneth has just a couple of counselling spots left—don't miss out! Call today to secure yours before they're gone. Gwyneth is alaso available for telehealth sessions if you aren't local to Bayside Melbourne.