Paediatric Occupational Therapy

14/11/2025

When children feel like they matter, it supports their lifelong health and well-being. And, while an infant or young child’s sense of mattering comes primarily from their closest caregivers, their early confidence that they are valued and make a difference also grows from the many relationships, environments, and modeled experiences they encounter each day. Caregivers, teachers, business owners, early care providers, and policymakers can all contribute to an ecosystem of mattering within a child’s social environment.

Learn more in our new paper co-authored with Jennifer B. Wallace: https://bit.ly/43bXRaX

10/10/2025

In a recent episode of the Brain Architects podcast, our Chief Science Officer, Dr. Lindsey Burghardt, spoke with Dr. Rebecca Spencer, a researcher on the science of sleep, about the importance of sleep during early childhood. From brain architecture and emotional regulation to the role of naps and the importance of creating cool sleeping spaces, Dr. Spencer explains how sleep shapes early childhood health and lifelong well-being.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/45p9n4b

08/10/2025

07/10/2025

A journey of 4 years enabling families to share the unique stories of their children and bringing everyone together to enable them to thrive. Thank you Niue for making this possible and to the amazing team of OTs SLTs and Developmental paediatrician.

05/10/2025

Enjoy creative ways to meet and match where a child is at to support powering up of down

We've had some really GREAT consultations with schools this week!

We cannot express how AMPED we get when we see school staff really, truly embracing students profiles and providing AUTHENTIC regulatory support. (not just token fidgets and movement breaks).

You might wonder what you are looking at. You are looking at ingenious support in an integrated kindergarten class with close to 30 students in it..

See that yellow taped square? That's a movement spot for the kindergarten kiddo on the carpet just to the left of it.

Why does he access it? He's a kiddo who processes information and sustains attention more easily when he is getting intense input or in motion. (Check out his feet positioning in the pic. Definitely not criss cross applesauce).

How does he access it? He slides on over to it when his body needs to MOVE. (sometimes with encouragement to do so, sometimes independently)

What can he do there? Any movement that keeps his body within the square. He can also pull from a range of seating surfaces near by and bring other tools in if needed.

How long can he stay there? As long as he needs. The teacher engages him in that spot just like she would if he were on the carpet.

How do the other kids react? It's just part of the classroom culture. This teaching team is working to help their young students understand that "different brains need different things to learn and engage."

Is he the only one who has this option? Nope. He's not. There is at least one other student that has a taped square next to their spot to help them stay engaged in group learning opportunities by providing them with the input they need to make it possible.

What about everyone else? There are other places in the classroom that all students can move their bodies if needed. We witnessed several kids getting up and moving about with no interruption to the lesson. We might advocate for a "Standing Room" only spot at the back of the carpet that any of young learner in the classroom can use.

Are there times that it's not the right support? Absolutely. Supports are not 100 percent effective all the time, as sources of dysregulation vary. So, the team absolutely has other tools in their tool box. But, this is a great first "go to" strategy for this young person.

Did he "just know how to use it?" Absolutely not. All regulation strategies that aren't naturally sought by an individual take some degree of teaching, length of time, and opportunity for practice. This team knows it! They also know that supporting regulation is the key to classroom engagement

❤️💛

Image description - part of a classroom rug. You can see 2 of the 30 students' backs. One little is on his knees with feet stacked underneath him. There is a yellow square taped next to him, so he can move as needed and also be out of direct visual line of other children - but the

13/09/2025

For those that are interested

ICYMI: 📍NEW ZEALAND, we are coming to you!
🏢EMA Business Hub - Grafton, Auckland
📅 27–29 November 2025
💰 Early Bird Offer $898 AUD – Register by SEPTEMBER 30th!
🔹 Regular Price: $1079 AUD

There is always a reason for behaviour!

Join internationally renowned Kim Barthel, OTR, for a 3-day deep dive into the science and heart of understanding behaviour. This expanded course will equip you with evidence-based insights and practical strategies to uncover the hidden reasons behind complex and challenging behaviours.

What will we learn?

✅ Identify the neurobiology of challenging behaviour
✅ Explore the sensory contributions to behaviour and intervention strategies
✅ Understand the impact of developmental trauma and attachment patterns
✅ Recognise the lifelong value of co-regulation through relationships
✅ Examine the role of executive functions in behaviour and intervention planning
✅ Understand the dynamics of self-harm and aggression
✅ Cultivate a mindset of curiosity that fosters connection and respect

This course is open to all professionals and caregivers, including:

🔹 Occupational Therapists (OTs), Speech Pathologists (SPs), Physiotherapists (PTs)
🔹 Psychologists, Social Workers, Counsellors
🔹 Educators, Early Childhood & Disability Support Staff
🔹 Parents, Carers, and anyone supporting individuals with complex behaviour

12/09/2025

Absolutely families enable us to journey alongside them and are in forefront of all we do

"Everything I do ... whether it's clinical care or research or advocacy, or trying to change the world, really ... it doesn't happen without families. What is the point of devising an approach, a strategy to care, an intervention, if families are not part of it?"

In honor of our Early CP Health Summit last weekend, we're throwing it back to an episode of the Cerebral Palsy Health podcast with Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Co-Chair of the Summit, whose research and leadership has influenced our expansive Early Detection and Intervention Network.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation at https://cpresource.org/topic/early-intervention/episode-10-early-detection-and-intervention-dr-nathalie-maitre

10/09/2025

Love this

08/09/2025

CureDuchenne’s mission - cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Our venture philanthropy model funds research, early diagnosis, treatment

07/09/2025

We often talk about friends ( one of the wonderful F words in Child Development - Can Child) yet what this looks like for our children can be different. Supporting their journey is so important. Some of our children have pets as their friends. Lets keep exploring opportunities for meaningful interactions that support what this could look like

Many children have a hard time connecting with others, but it can be especially challenging for neurodivergent kids. Learn 10 ways to help your grade-schooler connect with others: https://u.org/45Sznp7

07/09/2025

Happy Fathers day to the wonderful dads, grandads and extended family members like uncles! Celebrating you all today. Remembering dads that may have passed away.
Enjoy making memories today 🙏💙 Thank you for all that you do