Stepping Stones Occupational Therapy for Children

17/10/2025

Calling all Australian parents of children with PANS - please consider participating in this important research led by Clinical Psychologist Samantha Cu***ng.
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Australian parents of children diagnosed with or highly suspected of having PANS/PANDAS: Help us understand how to better support you!

Caring for a child with PANS/PANDAS can be exhausting, confusing, and isolating. Parents often find themselves navigating medical, emotional, and family challenges with too little support.

We are inviting parents of children with PANS/PANDAS to share their experiences seeking – or not seeking – professional help for themselves. Your insights will help shape better services, professional training, and resources for families walking a similar path.

Who can take part in this study?

We are looking for two groups of parents who care for least one child aged 4-18 years:
• Parents whose children do not have a significant health or developmental condition, or
• Parents who have a child with diagnosed or strongly suspected PANS and/or PANDAS who first developed symptoms at least a year ago.

For both parent groups, we are seeking parent volunteers (aged 18 years or older) who also meet the following criteria:
• A primary or joint caregiver of a child aged between 4 to 18 years
• Live in Australia
• Able to read and write English comfortably

What does research participation involve?

• Complete an anonymous online survey (approx. 20-30 minutes)

Interested?

• Scan the QR code or follow this link to access the survey: tinyurl.com/ParentSupportNeeds
• You’ll first be taken to a Participant Information and Consent Form, which provides full details about the study
• If you consent, you’ll be directed to the main survey
• You may also be invited to participate in a follow-up interview (optional)

Ethics information

This study has been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 520251806763690).

05/10/2025

🎉🥳 Happy Birthday Week Robyn! 🥳🎉

From all of us at Stepping Stones, we want to wish our wonderful OT Robyn the happiest of birthdays! 🌸

Robyn, your smile, kindness, and endless good vibes brighten up our clinic every single day. 💛 The way you connect with children and families is truly special, and we’re so lucky to have you on our team.

We hope your whole week is filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of cake! 🎂✨

18/09/2025

Are you the parent of a child who finds it hard to do the things that other kids their age do easily?

We know how hard it can be to watch your child face daily frustrations. That’s why our experienced peadiatric OTs are here to provide support - helping children develop the skills they need to thrive at home, school, and in the community.

✨ Great news! We have immediate availability for OT appointments. No waitlist! ✨

Don't wait to get the support your child needs - reach out today! 💙

Call our friendly admin team on 02 49512116 to book a session now.

15/09/2025

🌟 Help Your Child Build Social Confidence These School Holidays! 🌟
Does your child find it tricky to join in, make friends, or feel confident in social situations?
Our Outback Adventure Holiday Group is a fun and supportive way for children to learn and practice social skills while enjoying a full day of activities with peers.

🦘 Date: Tuesday 30 September
⏰ Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm
📍 Venue: Ulinga Community Hall, Cardiff South
👧 Age: Open to all ages – your child does not need to be a Stepping Stones client

Why parents love this program:
✅ Designed and run by experienced paediatric occupational therapists
✅ Safe, structured environment for practicing making friends, cooperation, and shared problem-solving
✅ Fun activities that naturally encourage turn-taking, sharing, and working as part of a team
✅ Gentle support from occupational therapists to help children manage big feelings and navigate social challenges
✅ Older children can develop leadership skills by mentoring younger peers

Activities include:
🎨 Craft and sensory play
🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness and calming strategies
🏃 Obstacle courses and group games
🧩 Teamwork challenges and problem-solving activities

This special Outback Adventure day also celebrates Stepping Stones’ 10 years of supporting Newcastle families – expect plenty of Aussie-themed fun with our mascot animals!

Spaces are limited, so secure your child's place today.

📞 Call or email our team to register: 02 49512116; info@steppingstonesforchildren.com.au

🌐 Find out more here: https://www.steppingstonesforchildren.com.au/group-sessions/

Give your child the chance to grow their social skills, boost their confidence, and make new friends – all while having a day they’ll never forget!

14/09/2025

It feels like Christmas right now for Professor Russell Dale and Dr Shrujna Patel. First their PANS publication in Nature last week and now this! Congratulations to them for their incredible work 👏

🌟 Incredible News for the PANS, Autism and Neurodevelopmental Community 🌟

Hot on the heels of their recent PANS biomarker discovery (see our earlier post), Professor Russell Dale and Dr. Shrujna Patel have just been awarded a $1 million Avant Foundation grant to explore new treatments for PANS and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

✨ Why this matters:
This research is not just about managing symptoms - it’s about addressing the root causes of PANS, Autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. The team will be testing a special form of butyrate (alongside other treatments) that can reach the brain. This could help change the way certain brain processes are switched on or off at an epigentic level, potentially reversing the challenges children with PANS face.

💙 A huge thank you to Professor Dale for listening to our families and ensuring our voices shape this research, and congratulations to Dr. Patel and the entire team for making this possible.

This truly marks the beginning of a paradigm shift- moving from symptom management to more readily accessible, less invasive, disease-modifying treatments - so children can live lives that reflect their full potential.

🔗 Find out more here: https://avant.org.au/foundation/creating-transformational-change-in-healthcare?fbclid=IwY2xjawMy1JhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHq10RyY0XoBrTMoCWSkqxUFKzsCdExlROEYDDBk_l8wL6C45VJFFIAEhJ8KW_aem_4rwrGBH0XYLja_veW3mewA

10/09/2025

Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world - but let’s be honest, it can also be one of the hardest. 💛

Sleepless nights, endless to-do lists, and the constant juggle of caring for little humans can leave even the strongest parent feeling worn down.

On R U OK? Day, we want to remind every parent: your wellbeing matters too.

🌱 It’s OK to admit it’s tough. It’s OK to say you’re not always fine. And it’s more than OK to lean on others for support.

So today, let’s check in with the parents in our lives - with kindness, without judgement, and with a willingness to truly listen. Because a simple, ‘Are you OK?’ can make a world of difference.

06/09/2025

Wonderful to see PANS/ PANDAS receiving attention in the mainstream media. If you notice sudd3n onset behaviour change in a child, please consider PANS/ PANDAS. Early medical intervention can mean a child gets well quickly and stays well.

Strep throat is a common childhood illness, but in a few children this bacteria infection can lead to alarming, lasting changes in behaviour. https://bbc.in/463flGZ

31/08/2025

At Stepping Stones Therapy for Children, we work with many children and families affected by Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). We see first-hand the impact this condition can have on a child’s development, wellbeing, and daily life.

That’s why we are proud to share a major step forward. A new paper published in Molecular Psychiatry (part of the Nature group of journals) has, for the first time, identified a clear biological signature in children with PANS. This research confirms what families and clinicians have known for years: PANS is not “controversial” or “just behavioural.” It is a legitimate medical condition involving the immune system, genes, and brain development.

We are honoured that Stepping Stones was able to provide funding support for this study, alongside PANS Australia, which contributed funds raised at the national PANS conference. Together, these contributions helped make this important research possible.

We extend our thanks to Professor Russell Dale and his team at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead for their dedication to families and their leadership in advancing understanding of this condition.

This paper is a turning point. With early recognition and treatment, children with PANS can recover. But if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the risks of long-term or even lifelong challenges increase significantly. It is vital that this evidence is shared with paediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists and health professionals everywhere.

You can read the paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-025-03127-5

12/08/2025

🌟 Help Your Child Build Social Confidence These School Holidays! 🌟

Does your child find it tricky to join in, make friends, or feel confident in social situations?
Our Outback Adventure Holiday Group is a fun and supportive way for children to learn and practice social skills while enjoying a full day of activities with peers.

🦘 Date: Monday 30 September
⏰ Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm
📍 Venue: Ulinga Community Hall, Cardiff South
👧 Age: Open to all ages – your child does not need to be a Stepping Stones client

Why parents love this program:
✅ Designed and run by experienced paediatric occupational therapists
✅ Safe, structured environment for practicing making friends, cooperation, and shared problem-solving
✅ Fun activities that naturally encourage turn-taking, sharing, and working as part of a team
✅ Gentle support from occupational therapists to help children manage big feelings and navigate social challenges
✅ Older children can develop leadership skills by mentoring younger peers

Activities include:
🎨 Craft and sensory play
🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness and calming strategies
🏃 Obstacle courses and group games
🧩 Teamwork challenges and problem-solving activities

This special Outback Adventure day also celebrates Stepping Stones’ 10 years of supporting Newcastle families – expect plenty of Aussie-themed fun with our mascot animals!

Spaces are limited so secure your child's place today.

📞 Call or email our team to register: 02 49512116; info@steppingstonesforchildren.com.au
🌐 Find out more here: https://www.steppingstonesforchildren.com.au/group-sessions/

Give your child the chance to grow their social skills, boost their confidence, and make new friends – all while having a day they’ll never forget!

22/07/2025

Are you an occupational therapist working with a child who shuts down, avoids, or reacts strongly when everyday demands are placed on them?

For some children, these behaviours may be linked to a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile - where traditional therapy approaches often increase distress rather than support engagement.

I’ve created a 90-minute on-demand webinar specifically for OTs:
👉 PDA: An Introduction for Occupational Therapists

This session explores:

-What underpins extreme demand avoidance

-How to use the Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire in clinical reasoning

-Neurodiversity-affirming strategies to reduce resistance and build trust

Insights from lived experience to guide more compassionate, effective practice

🟡 FLASH SALE: 50% off (usually $95) for the first 50 registrants or until July 31
Use code VIP50 here:

https://www.steppinguplearning.com.au/pdaOD_SP

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to support a child with extreme avoidance, this webinar will help you approach your sessions with greater clarity, confidence, and care.

22/07/2025

🧠 World Brain Day 🧠

Today is a reminder of just how important brain health is - but for those of us supporting neurodivergent children, we know it’s more than just neurons and scans.

For neurodivergent children, brain health means:
🔹 Recognising and accommodating sensory differences
🔹 Understanding stimming as regulation
🔹 Supporting kids whose nervous systems are in constant overdrive
🔹 Acknowledging conditions like PANS, where inflammation disrupts behaviour, mood, and function almost overnight

Today the Stepping Stones team are thinking about:
🧠 The child who lashes out because their brain is overwhelmed
🧠 The child with PANS whose behavioural regulation spirals after something as simple as a cold
🧠 The child who can’t cope with a scratchy shirt tag or a noisy classroom
🧠 The families told to “manage behaviour” instead of support regulation

These are not behavioural issues - they’re brain-based distress.

And the more we understand the nervous system, the better we can support these kids to feel safe, seen, and settled.

More info at World Federation of Neurology https://wfneurology.org/world-brain-day-2025

Or if you're curious about the impact of PANS on children's brains check this out: https://neuroimmune.org/clinicians/pans-diagnosis-and-treatment-guides/

Let’s keep pushing for brain health that includes all brains.