Oxford Paediatric Autism Assessments

20/12/2025

OPAA are taking a short break to rest and recharge with our families. We wish you all a happy and healthy festive season. Thank you for your ongoing support this year. We will be returning to work on the 5th of January 2026!

17/12/2025

The Child Development Services team is seeking young volunteers (aged 6 months to 5.5 years) to help train Paediatric Registrars in developmental assessments.

This is a great opportunity for your child to engage in a relaxed, informal session while helping doctors develop their skills.

When:
• 2 – 4 February 2026

Where:
• Murdoch Community Hub

During the session, your child will take part in activities that assess motor skills, hearing and speech, eye/hand coordination, social development, and more, all guided by Paediatric Registrars.

Parents are welcome to join, ask questions, and enjoy the experience together!

Places are limited, so don’t wait – sign up now via our online form:
https://forms.office.com/r/z1JQTPAjgc

10/12/2025

Wonderful road map for those wondering… what next?

25/11/2025

We are seeking expressions of interest from parents and youths to participate in a two-hour online workshop to better understand the experiences of Western Australian students with learning differences.

Your insights will guide the development of a statewide survey that will be launched in 2026.

What participation involves:

You will be invited to join one two-hour online workshop focused on shaping the design, content and priorities of the statewide survey.

To ensure everyone feels safe and able to share openly, workshops will be held separately for:

1️⃣ young people aged 15 to 24 years who can speak to their current or recent experiences in Western Australian schools;

2️⃣ parents and caregivers of children with learning differences.

No formal diagnosis is needed to take part.

This project is inclusive of students with experience in any education setting in WA: public schools, independent and Catholic schools, distance education, home education or unschooling families.

Your voice can help highlight what is working and what needs to change.

Submit an expression of interest today: https://redcap.link/ImpactforLearningDifferences

This research is focused on learning differences that are supported by the WA Department of Education's Educational Adjustment Allocation (EAA).

25/11/2025

If you’re NOT autistic, ADHD or whatever else…congratulations, your brain works like a pond!
All of the things you do each day are like lily pads, and they float close together on the surface.

So, for example, since the “chores” and “hobbies” lily pads are side by side,
once you’ve finally assembled that Lego set,
you can easily hop over to that pile of dirty dishes without falling in the water.

Unfortunately, if you ARE neurodivergent, your brain is a lake, not a pond.

In lake-brains, the lily pads are farther apart, meaning in order to switch tasks,
you need to cover more cognitive surface area.

You gotta:
▪️Notice when you’re done or are needing to be done.

▪️Mentally detach from the thoughts, momentum, and sensory input from the first task.

▪️Identify what’s next and what it requires

▪️And then get your body to actually initiate the process

Each of those steps uses mental energy (planning, redirecting attention, stopping one thought pattern and starting another.)

For neurotypical people, a lot of those steps happen in the background automatically.

But when you have a lake brain, every time you need to switch tasks, you’re mentally fighting to keep your head above water.

I wish I had a magic solution, but my overall point is, understanding this cognitive difference is the first step in giving yourself, and others, a bit more patience. 💚

14/11/2025

We are loving our time at APAC 2025! The keynote speakers have been exceptional. We are feeling inspired by the knowledge and passion being shared! The future is bright 💫

07/11/2025

The Talking Split crew are joined this week with Matt & Bo from Aspect - Autism Spectrum Australia to discuss the impact that coaches can have when coaching people who have Autism.

They unpack what Autism is, share some real-life examples for coaches to relate to, and practical steps and advice that coaches can use in their own coaching to make sport, and the experience more inclusive for everyone!

Listen to this week's episode via the link or subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast app: https://www.basketballvictoria.com.au/news/talking-split-e181-understanding-autism-in-coaching-with-aspect-autism-spectrum-australia

07/11/2025

Why do we tell children about their diagnosis?

Because it’s not just a diagnosis ;it’s their neurotype.

It’s language for how they move, feel, and process the world around them. It helps them understand…

• why the noise feels too loud,
• why their thoughts run fast,
• why something feels so big for them when no one else seems to feel it.

Back in the 90s, when I was working it out, I thought I was an alien; an observer trying to understand these Earthlings and their strange social rituals. I resonated so deeply with Mr Bean being dropped to Earth and working his way round.

That was the only language I had.

Now I know: it wasn’t alien. It was autism. It was ADHD.

So many adults say, “I wish someone had told me sooner.”

Because when you don’t have that language, you grow up believing you’re bad at being human (or like me, a really good secret spy alien) when really, you were just neurodivergent in a world that didn’t explain or meet your difference kindly and easily.

When we tell children about their brains early, we give them something therapy can’t: self-trust.

It's a map to understand themselves that puts them in the driver's seat and gives them choices that fit their nervous system. It does wonders somatically for the nervous system when individuals are in charge.

That’s why I write books that help adults have these conversations with care and compassion.... so kids don’t have to wonder if they’re alien too.

Welcome to the Not-Alien, Autistic/ADHDer club. 🧠💫

05/11/2025

When life turns up the pressure, food becomes complicated.
With bodies trying to cope.
It’s not about control; it’s about comfort and safety.
It’s about feeling safe.
Sometimes the same meal, same brand, same texture is what keeps the world from spinning too fast.
Sometimes you need someone who gets it.
Who knows which food feels safe.
Who doesn’t push, question, or judge who instead just makes sure you’re fed, seen and okay.
Consistency in food isn’t control, it’s comfort.
In a world that changes by the minute perhaps the plate can stay the same.

Join Dr Naomi Fisher and myself next week for our brand new The Art of Low Demand Parenting on Food.
Monday 10th November at midday.
Recorded ticket option for those who can't make it on the day.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-art-of-low-demand-parenting-food-tickets-1736300695119?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

27/10/2025

OPAA are moving! It is with mixed feelings that we leave our spacious, light filled office in Leederville. Yet we are excited to start fresh in leafy West Perth! Our new address is Suite 1, 29 Ord Street. Our first assessment in West Perth will take place on Monday 3rd November. Please be patient while we update our website with new photographs of our space.

15/10/2025

07/10/2025

You asked. We listened.💛
Sign up to be the first to know about our new program, Local Connect Plus created for autistic and neurodivergent women and gender-diverse adults, 18+, right across Australia.
Local Connect Plus helps you find and connect with other adult ladybugs online or in person in a safe and simple way. It could be catching up for coke zero, going for a walk, or just knowing there’s someone close by who’s part of your neurokin. Local Connect Plus will launch later this year. Register your Expression of Interest now to be the first to know when it goes live.

Or link in bio
https://mailchi.mp/yellowladybugs/local-connect-plus