National PEKE Centre

24/11/2025

🌟 New Resource Alert!🌟

We’re excited to share a brand-new social story designed to support neurodivergent children through the process of getting a blood test — created by ex-nurse, Jill Richey.

Blood tests and other medical procedures can feel overwhelming for many kids, especially those who thrive on predictability and clear explanations. This social story breaks the process down step-by-step, using supportive language and visuals to help children understand what will happen, why it’s happening, and how they can feel safe and in control throughout the experience.

💛 Perfect for caregivers, educators, and clinicians
💛 Neuro-affirming, gentle, and practical
💛 Created with lived and professional experience

You can access the social story now through Jill's website www.blanklit.com.au or instagram

Helping kids feel prepared isn’t just supportive — it’s empowering. 💛✨

17/11/2025

Thank you Neuroteachers for describing in such an accessible way why some neurodivergent kiddos (and adults alike!) might be super cuddlers 🫂🫂

10/11/2025

🎒 School Transitions Mini Series: Transitioning from Primary to Secondary School

Support your neurodivergent child by:
🎓 Visiting the school early, and on numerous occasions
📘 Talking through what will stay the same and what will change
🕰️ Practice the route to-and-from the new school
💬 Building connections with new teachers through Student Support Group meetings

Every small support builds a smoother start 🌿

28/10/2025

🎒📘🖍 School Transitions Mini Series: Moving Up a Grade

New classroom, new teacher, new expectations — even when it’s the same school, so much can change.

Schools can support neurodivergent students by:
✏️Creating personalised social stories visuals and routines early
✏️ Encouraging the child to create an 'All About Me' profile for their voice to be heard throughout this process
✏️ Collaborating with caregivers and the child's wider support network to ensure a smooth transition
✏️ Providing additional transition/orientation opportunities

Predictability builds confidence 💫

27/10/2025

🎒📘🖍 School Transitions: The Mini Series

Change can be big — especially for neurodivergent children.

As the end of the year nears, many children will be preparing for the transition to a new classroom/school/stage of life.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring practical strategies, emotional supports, and neuroaffirming approaches to help make school transitions smoother for every child. 💛

20/10/2025

Not all disabilities are visible — and that’s why understanding, compassion, and curiosity matter.

This week, we honour those living with invisible disabilities and continue the conversation about accessibility, inclusion, and belief. 💚

It’s Invisible Disabilities Week (19–25 October)! 🌻

Around 80–85% of people with a disability have one that isn’t visible. These include neurological, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and chronic conditions that aren’t always immediately apparent.

Not all disabilities are visible — but a little understanding and kindness can go a long way in making everyone feel seen and supported.

Image description: A green graphic with sunflower design promoting Invisible Disabilities Week, 19th–25th October. It features a Sunflower lanyard, a person icon with a sunflower, and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower logo.

14/10/2025

We’re expanding our neuroaffirming team! 🌈

Our Cranbourne West clinic is looking for a Music Therapist who values child-led, strengths-based practice and enjoys working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

🎶 If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Apply today by contacting us at admin@pekecentre.com.au or (03) 5995 5592

13/10/2025

If you haven't already seen it yet, we have a new interactive installation in our reception area to celebrate for the month of Halloween 👻☠️🎃🕸🦇

We can't wait to see what you contribute on your next visit to Peke! 🕷🧟‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧛‍♂️

05/10/2025

We couldn’t love this more 🎭

This is a place where all brains are welcome.
You don’t have to mask here. You get to be you.
This is the goal. Always.

This poster is part of my Neurodiversity Starter Bundle and is completely free 🎉

03/10/2025

Huge news 🙌🏼👏🏼

We’ve joined forces in a joint submission. and the Melbourne University Neurodiversity Project have made a submission to the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability Inquiry into the Thriving Kids Initiative.

Together, we represent well over 100,000 autistic people, families, carers and allies. We will share our submission once it’s published, but know we have strongly advocated for Thriving Kids to align with the National Autism Strategy, be co-designed with autistic-led organisations, and protect the rights and wellbeing of autistic children and their families. Stay tuned…

01/10/2025

💡 Let’s talk about “Whole Body Listening” and why it isn’t always helpful for neurodivergent children.

The traditional idea of “Whole Body Listening” asks children to:
👀 Look at the speaker
👂 Keep ears listening
🤫 Mouth quiet
✋ Hands still
🦶 Feet on the floor
🪑 Sit up straight

While this might sound like “good listening,” for many neurodivergent children it actually creates barriers to learning and regulation.

👉 Focusing on keeping their body perfectly still takes up so much mental energy that they may not be able to truly process the information being shared.
👉 What looks like “listening” on the outside, may actually mean they’re using all their effort to control their movements — leaving very little capacity for the executive functioning skills needed to learn, problem-solve, or retain new information.

✨ Instead of expecting “Whole Body Listening,” we can:
✔️ Recognise that listening can look different for each child
✔️ Allow movement, fidgeting, or looking away
✔️ Focus on connection and comprehension, not appearance

True listening isn’t about still bodies — it’s about supporting children in ways that help them access and understand what’s being shared. 💛

23/09/2025

Louder for those in the back 📣📣📣