Astute Therapy Solutions Adrienne Sinnamon

11/01/2026

Small steps can lead to big independence. 🚍

Recently, a young adult we support (name changed for privacy) wanted to learn how to travel on their own. We broke the goal into tiny, achievable steps:
🔹 reading the timetable together
🔹 practising the walk to the bus stop
🔹 role-playing how to ask the driver for help
🔹 celebrating each successful trip

Over time, those small steps turned into real confidence and greater freedom to participate in community life.

This is what developmental education and life skills work is all about: practical skills, at the right pace, in a way that respects the person’s choices and goals.

If increasing independence is one of your goals, we’d love to support you to map out the next step. 🌱

24/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from Astute Therapy 🎄

Today, we’re thinking of all the children, young people, adults, and families we’ve had the privilege to support this year. 💛

Whether today is loud and joyful, quiet and reflective, or somewhere in between, we hope you find:
✨ moments of peace
✨ genuine connection
✨ space to breathe and reset

To our clients, families, support coordinators and fellow professionals – thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey in 2025. Your resilience, advocacy and commitment to growth inspire us every day.

From all of us at Astute Therapy, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe, gentle holiday season. 🌟

(Our team is currently on a break from 23 Dec 2025 to 12 Jan 2026, and we look forward to supporting you again in the new year.)

22/12/2025

🎄 Holiday Notice from Astute Therapy 🎄

Our team will be taking a short break to rest and recharge over the Christmas and New Year period.

📅 Holiday closure:
From 23 December 2025 to 12 January 2026
We’ll be back from 13 January 2026.

During this time, our phones and emails will be monitored intermittently only. If your matter is urgent or relates to immediate safety, please contact 000 or your local emergency / crisis support services.

To our clients, families, and support coordinators – thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you this year. 💛
We wish you a peaceful, safe and restorative holiday season, and we look forward to supporting you again in 2026.

Warmest wishes,
The Astute Therapy Team

18/12/2025

💬 Family Feature Friday
Puberty & Hygiene Support for Teens

Puberty can feel overwhelming — but with simple routines and calm, normalised conversations, teens can build confidence and independence. 💛

Here are some key areas where parents and carers can gently support their young people:

🧼 Simple, predictable daily hygiene routines
🧴 Managing skin and body changes with practical strategies
🌸 Menstruation support that is clear, respectful and shame-free
🩵 Understanding emotions, privacy and growing independence
🤝 Building body confidence without pressure or embarrassment

If you’d like support to navigate puberty, hygiene or growing independence in a way that fits your young person, our team is here to help.

16/12/2025

Why does a behaviour keep happening?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment helps us slow things down and really see what’s going on.

We look at the ABC model:
👉 Antecedent – what happens before the behaviour (triggers, environment, demands)
👉 Behaviour – what we see (actions, words, intensity)
👉 Consequence – what happens after (reactions, attention, escape, outcomes)

When we understand the pattern, we can design Positive Behaviour Support that feels safer, kinder, and more effective for everyone involved.

Want support to unpack a tricky behaviour and build a clear plan?
🔗 Find more details through our main link.

14/12/2025

A PBSP focuses on understanding the individual—their needs, goals, environment, and communication style—and creating a plan that helps them thrive. The ultimate goal is to improve quality of life while reducing behaviours of concern in a respectful, proactive way.

🔗 Want to dive deeper? Read the full blog: https://bit.ly/48kN0Nt

11/12/2025

“Assessment isn’t a test — it’s a roadmap for growth.”

Many families tell us they feel nervous when they hear the word assessment. It can sound like a pass/fail moment or a judgement on their child or their parenting.

At Astute Therapy, assessments are about:
✅ Understanding strengths, interests and challenges
✅ Identifying what support is actually needed
✅ Making NDIS planning clearer and less overwhelming

A good functional assessment gives you language, evidence and direction so your next steps aren’t guesswork.

If you’re unsure which assessment might be right for you or the person you support, reach out and we can talk it through together. 💬

04/12/2025

🌱 Focus on Growth, Not Just What's "Wrong" 🌱

When supporting someone, it's easy to get caught up in reducing unpreferred behaviours. But real progress happens when we build skills that empower independence, confidence, and connection.

Instead of asking, "How do we stop this behaviour?"

Try asking, "What skills can we teach to meet this need in a positive way?"

✅ Communication skills
✅ Emotional regulation
✅ Social interaction
✅ Daily living skills

Every skill learned is a step toward a more meaningful life. Let's shift the focus from restriction and punishment to growth and opportunity. 💡

02/12/2025

💡 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 – 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬.

Swipe through to see 10 key life skills for young adults:
• Personal hygiene and self-care 🚿
• Budgeting and tracking spending 💰
• Paying bills on time 🧾
• Basic cooking and meal prep 🍳
• Grocery shopping and planning meals 🛒
• Cleaning and keeping your space organised 🧹
• Using public transport and getting around safely 🚍
• Time management and planning your week ⏰
• Communicating needs and asking for help 🗣️
• Problem-solving and staying calm under pressure 🧠

Save this post to come back to later, or share it with someone who’s working towards more independence.
“𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.” 💙

If you (or someone you support) would like step-by-step coaching in these skills under the NDIS, we’re here to help.

30/11/2025

💛 Big feelings need safe simple plans 💛

Our Positive Behaviour Support helps you make sense of behaviour and turn stress into clear steps you can follow.

We keep things practical and consistent at home school and in the community so everyone knows how to help.

Your clinician and team stay in touch and adjust the plan with you so it actually works in real life.

Curious what Positive Behaviour Support could look like for your child or participant. Send us a question or book an intake call and we will walk you through the next steps together

28/11/2025

Yesterday 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞 had the privilege of attending the 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 – PBS Excellence in Leadership Awards 2025 at Arana Leagues Club. 🙌 Hosted by 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲 with guest speaker Professor 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬, it was a fantastic opportunity to:

• Connect with PBS practitioners from across the country 🤝
• Share ideas and experiences to keep improving the way we support our clients 💬
• Celebrate leadership and innovation in Positive Behaviour Support🌟
• Finish the day learning a fun choreographed dance with the performers! 💃🕺

Events like this keep us inspired, connected, and focused on delivering the best possible services for the people we support.

06/11/2025

🌟 It’s National Developmental Educators (DE) Week!
From November 3–7, 2025, we’re celebrating the incredible role of Developmental Educators across Australia.
This year’s theme, “Beyond Labels,” reminds us that every person’s story is more than a diagnosis; it’s a journey of growth, strength, and connection.
💚 Join us in celebrating 15 years of Developmental Education — empowering people, educating communities, and changing lives.
👉 If you're interested in learning more, read our latest blog.

Celebrate DE Week 2025 with Astute Therapy — honouring 15 years of Developmental Educators empowering individuals and transforming communities..