Complete Children's Health

24/12/2025

To our wonderful families, carers and allied health partners, we wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2026.

22/12/2025

Wish wish you all a safe and merry one - we are closed now until the 6th of January

19/12/2025

🎉🍽️ Holiday season is full of treats — but if your child has food allergies, it can feel like a minefield.
Here’s how to keep them safe and included:

✔ Make sure your child properly understands what they’re allergic to, in language they get.

✔ Let the school know in advance, and friends and family also need to know ahead of time. Ask what food will be served and bring a safe alternative if needed.

✔ Consider hosting a gathering yourself so you can control the ingredients — or pick an activity-based tradition (walk, game, craft) so it’s not just about the food.

✔ Ensure you always have your child’s epinephrine device (adrenaline auto-injector) handy and the adults around know how to use it.

✔ Chat with your child regularly as they grow about their allergies and reassure them they belong in the festivities, allergy and all.

Let’s help make this holiday fun and safe for everyone. 🌟

18/12/2025

The school bell rings for the last time before summer holidays. Your child races out, backpack flying, ready for weeks of freedom.
You might think this is the perfect time to pause therapy sessions and let them just be kids.
Whether your child receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other allied health services, maintaining therapeutic support during school breaks helps them stay on track with their goals, build on existing skills, and prevent disruptions in their progress.

The school bell rings for the last time before summer holidays. Your child races out, backpack flying, ready for weeks of freedom. You might think this is the perfect time to pause therapy sessions…

16/12/2025

CCH Good news story -

Children facing a trip to hospital often experience not only physical pain but also fear and distress that can complicate treatment. Recognising this, a new research-led project is trialling specially designed paediatric distraction kits for use by paramedics in Victoria.

14/12/2025

Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder, affects how the brain plans and coordinates movement — making everyday tasks like writing, dressing or using scissors more challenging for some children.

💡 It’s not about intelligence — kids with DCD are just as smart as their peers. They simply need support with motor skills and coordination.

👶 Early identification, occupational therapy, patience and practical strategies at home and school can make a huge difference.

Let’s build awareness and understanding — so every child has the chance to thrive. 💙

12/12/2025

🎄✨ Why toys aren’t just “fun stuff” — and how to gift wisely this Christmas

Here's some key reasons why playing with toys is essential for a child’s development — from boosting creativity and emotion-regulation, to building social and motor skills.
This Christmas, when you’re choosing gifts, think about quality over quantity. A well-chosen toy can:
- Encourage imaginative play, not passive screen time
- Help kids practice problem solving, coordination & self-expression
- Nurture connection when you play together

🎁 Gift idea tips:
- Pick toys with play value — ones kids can reimagine and return to
- Consider open-ended items — blocks, art materials, role play sets
- Include a “play together” card — the best gift is time

Let’s make this Christmas meaningful: toys that support growth, not just momentary distraction. 💛

11/12/2025

🚸 When is it OK (or NOT) to send a sick child to child care?

It’s a day-to-day judgment call, but experts agree: some symptoms absolutely mean your child should stay home.
⚠️ Stay home if your child has:
A fever, rash, vomiting or diarrhoea
Persistent cough, is very weak, or unable to eat/drink normally
Symptoms that require more one-on-one care than a childcare centre can safely provide

✅ Possible to attend if symptoms are minor and manageable (no fever, able to participate) — but always check your centre’s exclusion rules

09/12/2025

As the social media ban takes effect today, many parents are already seeing strong reactions at home. For some children, access to social media has been part of their daily rhythm for years. Having it removed can feel sudden, unfair and deeply upsetting. Tantrums, emotional outbursts and withdrawal are not only possible – they are likely.
Read our Blog on how to deal with any fallout

As the social media ban takes effect today, many parents are already seeing strong reactions at home. For some children, access to social media has been part of their daily rhythm for years. Having it removed can feel sudden, unfair and deeply upsetting. Tantrums, emotional outbursts and withdrawal....

07/12/2025

Everyone experiences “demand avoidance” from time to time — but for some autistic individuals, it’s more intense. Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) describes a profile within autism where even simple requests (like “put on your shoes” or “do the homework”) can feel overwhelming and trigger emotional responses.
If you’re an ally — whether a friend, parent, educator, or coworker — here’s what can help:

🔍 Key traits of PDA may include:
- Resisting everyday demands, even when they are benign
- Strong need to maintain control and avoid feeling controlled
- Use of indirect or social strategies to avoid demands (e.g. diversion, excuse-making)
- Masking or appearing socially capable while struggling internally
- Mood swings, “fight/flight/freeze” responses when under pressure

💡 Tips for supporting someone with PDA:
- Build trust first — a sense of safety and consistency matters.
- Avoid demand words like “must,” “need,” or “now.” Use questions or indirect phrasing (e.g. “How do you feel about…?”)
- Stay calm & compassionate — see meltdowns as panic, not defiance.
- Depersonalise requests — use visual cues, written options, or external framing (e.g. “Brushing teeth keeps gums healthy”)
- Offer indirect praise — avoid direct “good job”; instead, highlight contributions or results.
- Be consistent, yet flexible — choose your non-negotiables, explain them, but allow negotiation and choice.

05/12/2025

A new study of the hit children’s show Bluey finds the lovable pup is modeling emotional resilience. Across 150 episodes, researchers observed scenes that promote coping skills, emotional regulation, and inner strength—tools that can support kids’ mental health.

04/12/2025

Frustrated by kids who seem not to listen? It is not defiance but developing brains! Research reveals simple tricks like eye contact, short instructio