Stepping Stones Occupational Therapy for Children

23/12/2025

Stepping Stones Therapy for Children will be closed for our Christmas break from
23rd December to 12th January (inclusive).

Thank you to all of our wonderful families for your support throughout the year.

We wish you a safe, restful, and joy-filled Christmas and New Year 💛

16/12/2025

💛 A message from Michelle 💛

As many of you already know, Stepping Stones is being restructured into a more sustainable solo-clinician model, with just me continuing the work. This change allows me the time and space to be more present with my family, while continuing to do the work I care deeply about.

This Friday marks the final day of Stepping Stones operating from our clinics, closing a chapter that spans 10 years in the Newcastle community.

To every team member who has worked at Stepping Stones over the past decade -thank you. Whether you were part of the team for many years or for a season, you helped shape this practice and the values it stood for. You supported children and families with skill, compassion, and integrity through the realities of paediatric therapy, the NDIS headaches, lockdowns, and a constantly changing disability system.

I also want to thank the families who trusted us with their children. It has been a privilege to walk alongside you so far - celebrating progress, holding space through challenges, and supporting your children’s participation and wellbeing.

✨ What’s next

At Stepping Stones, I’ll continue supporting children through telehealth, with in-person sessions recommencing from March, and through a growing suite of programs, resources, and training over the next 12 months.

Alongside this, I’m excited to expand my continuing professional development offerings for OTs via www.michellenewby.com, with much more coming for therapists across Australia and around the world.

Closing our clinics is bittersweet, but it comes with deep pride and clarity.

This is not goodbye - it’s hello to a new chapter.

Thank you for being part of the Stepping Stones story so far 💛

- Michelle

13/12/2025

Does your child have PANS?

Are you looking for guidance to help support them to participate and thrive as much as they can - during flares, periods of wellness, and the times in between?

Dr Michelle Newby, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and PANS researcher, is offering limited telehealth availability in the new year to support children with PANS/PANDAS and their families.

Telehealth support focuses on:
• regulation and sensory processing
• supporting daily function at home and school
• practical strategies during exacerbations
• parent coaching you can use in real life

Telehealth means accessible support without the stress of getting out the door.

📩 Enquiries now open | Places are limited

Send an enquiry here: https://www.steppingstonesforchildren.com.au/contact/

07/12/2025

What an inspiration this young man is!

22/11/2025

🎉 Happy Birth-Week, Shennoah! 🎉

This week we’re celebrating the incredible human who keeps our whole practice running smoothly.

Shennoah, your organisation, attention to detail, and ability to stay across absolutely everything never ceases to amaze us. You support the entire team - quietly, consistently, and with so much heart - and we are so grateful for all the ways you make our days easier, calmer, and more connected.

Thank you for being the anchor of Stepping Stones, for always knowing what needs to happen before the rest of us even think of it, and for the care you bring to every interaction.

We hope your birthday is filled with rest, celebration, and the same kindness you give so generously to others. 💛

Happy Birthday! 🥳✨

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.
..................

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