Kapiti Neuro Therapy Corinne Allan

09/12/2025

08/12/2025

Shells + paint = a beautiful way to support fine motor skills, creativity, and regulation. 🐚✨

This simple shell art activity is great for neurodiverse kids who need hands-on, low-pressure ways to explore colour, pattern, and texture.

Here’s a step-by-step guide you can try at home:

1️⃣ Gather your materials

You don’t need much:
A small collection of clean, dry shells
Paints (acrylic or poster paint work well)
Cotton buds, small brushes, or even toothpicks
Water cup + paper towels or cloth
A tray, tablecloth, or piece of cardboard to protect the surface

If your child is sensitive to mess, have a damp cloth handy and give them the option of gloves or a paintbrush instead of fingers.

2️⃣ Set up a calm, inviting space

Use a tray or a defined work area
Keep colours limited (3–4 colours) to reduce overwhelm
Show them the shells and paints, and let them choose where to start
You might say:
“Would you like to start with this shell or that one?”
“Which colour feels good today?”

Choice = control = safety.

3️⃣ Start with simple marks

Encourage small, controlled movements (great for fine motor skills):
Dots with cotton buds
Lines or stripes around the shell
Tiny patterns like spirals, stars, or zig-zags
Colouring just the ridges, edges, or centres
You can model first, then step back:
“I’m going to make little dots… do you want to try dots or lines?”

No pressure to “make it pretty” — the focus is on process, not product.

4️⃣ Invite pattern play (if they’re into it)

If they’re engaged and regulated, you can layer in a bit of gentle learning:
“Can you make a pattern: blue, white, blue, white?”
“Let’s paint all the bumpy shells one colour and all the smooth shells another.”
“Can you copy the pattern I made on this shell?”
This supports visual perception, planning, and sequencing without feeling like “work”.

5️⃣ Build in regulation

Notice their body and nervous system as much as the art:
If they’re fidgety or rushed → slow your voice, and simplify
If they’re deeply focused → protect that bubble and avoid over-talking
If they’re overwhelmed → shorten the task, reduce colours, or shift to washing shells instead

You can always say:
“We can stop anytime. Do you want to keep going or be finished now?”

6️⃣ Create a “Shell Gallery”

When the shells are painted and dry:
Line them up on a windowsill, tray, or little “exhibition” space
Take a photo together
Let your child choose their favourite shell and tell you why (if they like talking)

For kids who struggle with self-esteem, this step matters. It’s a concrete reminder:

“You made something. It exists. It’s valued.”

💛 Why this activity is helpful

Strengthens fine motor control (grip, pressure, precision)
Supports visual focus and attention
Offers sensory input without being too intense
Low demand + open-ended = safer for anxious or perfectionistic kids

Can be repeated with different themes (rainbow shells, galaxy shells, emotion shells)

Give it a go this summer and share your shell art with us!

🔗 neurotherapy.nz

05/12/2025

Kapiti Neuro Therapy is closed for our annual holiday from the 20 Dec 25 to the 12th January. 🎄🎁

Get your bookings in for next year, and have a wonderful Christmas season!!

02/12/2025

Sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated...sometimes all you need is sand, water, and a handful of shells. This simple setup creates calming tactile input, supports regulation, and encourages curious exploration. 🐚💛

1. Create your “beach” base

Use one of the following:
✔ A tray or shallow bin
✔ Sand (play sand, dry sand, or kinetic sand)
✔ OR a bowl of warm water for a “tidal pool” version
✔ OR a mix of both... one dry side, one water side

2. Add the shells

Scatter a mix of:
Big shells
Tiny shells
Smooth ones
Bumpy ones
Curly ones
Maybe a few “special” shiny shells
Variety increases tactile input, curiosity, and classification skills.

3. Hide & Discover Game (the main activity)

Hide shells under sand, half-buried, stacked, or floating in water.
Then invite the child to:

⭐ Find all the shells
⭐ Sort by colour, size, texture, or shape
⭐ Match pairs
⭐ Line them up from biggest to smallest
⭐ “Rescue” shells from the water
⭐ Pretend they are treasures on a beach adventure
This supports exploration, problem-solving, and imaginative play.

4. Add tools if your child benefits from them

Options:
A little brush
Scoop
Tweezers
Small container
Siev
Cup or ladle
Tools help with fine motor control and reduce tactile overwhelm.

5. Calm-the-Nervous-System Add-On

A simple, regulating extension: The Shell Wash Station!

Add a bowl of warm soapy water + a paintbrush or soft toothbrush.
Let the child:
🫧 Wash each shell
🫧 Rinse it
🫧 Dry it with a towel
🫧 Line it up in a “clean shell collection”

Repetitive motions + water = regulation gold.

Give it a try this summer! Perfect for neurodiverse kids who thrive on hands-on experiences.

30/11/2025

Love this! Colour is such a powerful way to tune into the body and bring awareness back to ourselves. A small practice with a big impact.

Feel Your Body with Color
Just like our breath carries energy, colors carry emotions and vibrations. Each shade connects to a different part of our body, helping us balance our mind, heart, and spirit.

💜 Connection & Spirit – Tune into your higher self
💙 Intuition & Wisdom – Trust the guidance within
💚 Voice & Truth – Speak from authenticity
💖 Love & Compassion – Open your heart
💛 Energy & Vitality – Recharge your inner fire
🧡 Creativity & Flow – Let ideas move freely
❤️ Root & Grounding – Feel safe, steady, supported

Whether you meditate, breathe, or simply sit in silence, let colors heal and realign you.
Your body speaks… sometimes all it needs is a little color to feel balanced again.

Yogvidya

21/11/2025

🎄✨ Meet Your Child’s New Weighted Friend This Christmas ✨🧸

Looking for a gift that brings comfort, calm, and Christmas magic?

Our weighted stuffed animals are the perfect soothing companion for kids who need extra emotional or sensory support.

These cuddly friends offer gentle, grounding pressure that helps children:

💖 feel safe and settled
💖 manage big emotions
💖 reduce anxiety and overwhelm
💖 fall asleep easier
💖 stay calm in busy or noisy environments

From ADHD and Autism to Sensory Processing needs, or simply bedtime worries, weighted plush companions provide the reassurance little bodies crave.

Soft, snuggly, and made with care, they’re more than a toy, they’re a calming presence your child can take anywhere.

Give the gift of calm this Christmas. Get in touch to find out more and arrange to meet our collection of premium weighted stuffies!

www.neurotherpy.nz

19/11/2025

Today, I want to chat about something super important (and fun!)...the tactile sense 💛

Did you know that for many neurodivergent children, touch can be overwhelming? From sticky fingers to scratchy clothes tags, their sensitive skin can make everyday experiences feel like a challenge.

But here’s the good news... 🌟

With gentle support and playful tools, we can help children explore texture in a way that feels safe, brave, and even exciting!

Here are some of our favourite sensory-friendly tools from the therapy room:
🧸 Soft "monsters" in bright colours – squishable, huggable fun!
🧽 Scratchy pot cleaners – for a bit of brave exploration
🌿 Nature bowls – full of pinecones, stones & shells to feel and discover
🌈 Weighted toys & soft silks – calming, cuddly, and soothing
🧩 Sensory matching games – find the textures that feel the same!
🏖️ Kinetic sand & Play-Doh – a little sticky, a lot of fun!

Every child is different, and that’s the beauty of sensory play...we can meet them where they’re at 💕 Whether they’re just starting to tolerate gentle textures or ready to squish, squeeze, and explore everything, there’s a way in.

Let’s celebrate progress, one brave touch at a time 🌟

18/11/2025

Understanding a Meltdown: A Compassionate Guide for Parents & Whānau 💛

Meltdowns aren’t “bad behaviour.”
They are nervous system overloads - moments when a child’s brain moves into survival mode and needs safety, not correction.

This graphic beautifully breaks down the phases of a meltdown, from the early signs of escalation right through to recovery and regulation. When we understand what’s happening inside, we’re more able to respond with calm, connection, and compassion.

A few gentle reminders:
• Meltdowns are not intentional.
• The thinking brain goes offline, reasoning won’t work.
• Your calming presence is more powerful than you realize.
• Support looks different at each stage, and that’s okay.
• Teaching happens after regulation, not during distress.

At Kapiti Neurotherapy, we work with children, teens, and families to build nervous system resilience, sensory awareness, and practical strategies that truly support regulation.

If you’re navigating big emotions at home, you’re not alone.
We’re here to help. 💛

👉 Learn more or book a session: www.neurotherapy.nz

A meltdown isn’t a child 'losing control' on purpose.
It’s the nervous system moving into overwhelm — often because things have felt too loud, too fast, too uncertain, or too much for too long.

When we understand the phases of a meltdown, we can respond with care rather than correction.
We can spot the early signs.
We can keep connection safe.
We can help a child return to calm without shame.

Today we’re exploring the Timeline of a Meltdown— what’s happening in the brain and body, what it looks like, and how we can support at each stage. Visuals for parents/educators and child voice style for young people. For more support, see our Timeline of a Meltdown Resource Pack – link in comments below ⬇️ or Linktree Shop in Bio.

13/11/2025

This is such a funny and simple way of helping your kids understand their emotions! Give it a try!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bqb3NZ2QQ/

11/11/2025

🎨 Welcome to our Art Therapy Space 🌿

At Kapiti Neuro Therapy, we cultivate a nurturing environment for emotional expression through art, a space where creativity and compassion come together to support healing and growth. 💫

Here, clients of all ages, children, teens, and adults, are encouraged to express their emotions through artistic means. In this comforting setting, art becomes a language of its own, allowing you to explore worries, release tension, and process past experiences safely and gently.

🖌️ Through art therapy, many discover:
✨ A sense of freedom and emotional release
✨ A deeper connection to their inner world
✨ Healing from trauma and past hurts
✨ The joy of self-expression without words

Our child-centred, trauma-informed approach creates a supportive space where every individual can be seen, heard, and understood, exactly as they are.

🌈 Join us in our therapeutic art space, where creativity becomes a bridge to emotional transformation and wellbeing.

📍 Kapiti Neuro Therapy Centre, Waikanae
🔗 Learn more or book an intro session: neurotherapy.nz

09/11/2025

Welcome to Kapiti Neuro Therapy Centre, where your child’s potential is our priority

Are you looking for professional, compassionate support for neurodiversity, sensory-integration challenges or emotional regulation in children and teens? You’re in the right place.

🧠 What we offer:
• Neurodiversity Assessment & Introductory Meetings - customised to your family’s unique needs.
• Multi-Sensory Therapy - playful, engaging tools to support sensory motor integration and regulation.
• Emotional Dysregulation Therapy - positive behaviour support to help children better understand, express and manage their emotions.
• Motor Development Therapy - targeting movement, coordination, gross & fine motor skills for children with developmental delays.
• Art Therapy - a safe, creative space for emotional expression, trauma processing or simply discovering inner strength.
• Supervision + Courses - for therapists and families, covering sensory integration, brain-based support, trauma recovery.

Why choose us?
Located in Waikanae, we specialize in neuro-diversity (autism spectrum, learning & behavioural difficulties, anxiety, trauma) and provide non-medical, strength-based therapies that empower children to thrive, instead of simply “cope”.

Our approach is person-centred, fluid and tailored, because no two children are the same.

8 Ruru Street, Waikanae
📞 027 246 4488 | ✉️ corinne@neurotherapy.nz

🔗 Want to learn more? www.neurotherapy.nz

06/11/2025

Take a few deep breaths!!