A question we often hear from families is: “If my child starts using AAC, will they stop trying to talk?”

The truth is: AAC does not stop speech development. In fact, it often supports and encourages speech, giving children more ways to communicate while their spoken language is still developing.

Why AAC Matters When Speech Isn’t Clear

When a child isn’t yet speaking or doesn’t have a clear way to communicate:

• They may babble, gesture, or make sounds that mean something to them, but adults may not understand.
• Missed communication moments can slow language learning because language develops through interaction: a child attempts, someone responds, and the back-and-forth helps them learn.
• Frustration can build for both the child and the family when messages are missed.

AAC helps by:

• Providing a clearer way for the child to express themselves.
• Ensuring their attempts are understood and responded to.
• Increasing opportunities for interaction, which supports language development.

How AAC Supports Speech

AAC isn’t a replacement for speech — it works alongside it:

• Adults model spoken words while signing or using AAC symbols.
  • Example: saying “more bubbles” while signing more or pressing more on a device.
• This helps children hear words more clearly and often
  • Slows down speech slightly, making it easier to process.
  • Helps children join in communication while learning to talk.

Key takeaway: AAC provides more opportunities to hear and practice language, rather than reducing speech.

A Real-Life Example

We see this often in the clinic. A great example is one family we supported:

• Early in therapy, Key Word Sign was the child’s primary way to communicate, alongside vocal attempts.
• As the child’s speech developed, Key Word Sign shifted to prompting words they were learning to say.
• Over time, the child became more effective using speech, which eventually became their quickest way to communicate.
• The family still uses Key Word Sign alongside speech sometimes — it’s an extra layer that makes communication clearer and more effective.

This journey shows that communication tools often work together, rather than competing with each other.

Conclusion

The idea that AAC prevents children from talking is a common myth. In reality, AAC helps children communicate successfully, increases opportunities for interaction, and supports speech development through repeated modelling of words. By giving children multiple ways to express themselves — through speech, signs, or devices — we help them build confidence, make connections, and grow their language skills.

At My Therapy Space, our team works alongside families to find the communication tools that best support each child, ensuring every child has a voice that can be heard and understood. If you’d like to learn more about how AAC can support your child’s speech and language development, get in touch with us today.

What Does “Regulation” Mean for Kids?

Throughout the day, our bodies and brains are constantly taking in sensory information from the world around us. This information influences our nervous system and how alert, calm, or energised we feel. Even as adults, we naturally use strategies to help regulate ourselves. You might drink a warm cup of tea to help your body wind down before bed, or listen to loud, upbeat music to get energised before a workout. These are everyday examples of self-regulation in action.

For children, regulation plays an important role in their ability to learn, play, and participate in everyday activities. Regulation is about matching a child’s level of arousal or energy to the task they are doing. The goal is not for children to be calm all the time, but to find the level of energy that is “just right” for the moment. For example, higher energy and alertness can be helpful for activities like playing sport or running around at the playground. A calmer, more organised state can be helpful for tasks such as listening to instructions or learning in the classroom.

When a child’s sensory needs are not being met — either too much sensory input or not enough — their nervous system can become dysregulated. Dysregulation may show up as big emotions, difficulty focusing, impulsive behaviour, or feeling overwhelmed.

The Role of the Senses

Our sensory systems play an important role in helping the body balance energy levels and respond to the environment. Sensory input provides information to the nervous system, helping the body adjust to what a situation requires. We have 8 sensory systems in the body, all of which impact regulation:

• Visual: Processes colour, light, and shapes.
  
• Auditory: Processes sound, including volume and pitch.
  
• Tactile: Processes touch, texture, pressure, and pain.
  
• Gustatory: Processes taste.
  
• Olfactory: Processes smell.
  
• Vestibular: Detects movement, balance, and gravity.
  
• Proprioception: Provides information about body position and movement in space.
  
• Interoception: Helps us notice internal body signals such as hunger, heart rate, and emotions.
  

Together, these systems give the brain information about what is happening both inside and outside the body, helping children adjust their energy and behaviour.

Calming vs Alerting

Different types of sensory input can either calm the nervous system or increase alertness.

• Calming sensory inputs are usually slow, rhythmic, and deep. These activities help organise the body and brain, supporting a child to settle and prepare for tasks that require focus or rest.
• Alerting sensory inputs are typically faster, lighter, or more unpredictable. These activities help wake up the body and brain, supporting children to feel more energised and ready to participate.

Every child processes sensory information differently. Something that feels calming for one child might be alerting for another. To understand what works best for your child, it can be helpful to check in with how their body feels after different sensory experiences. You can also observe their body clues, such as facial expressions and body posture to guide whether an activity is waking their body up or helping it slow down.

Activities to Try at Home

Families can create a personalised sensory toolkit or “sensory diet” based on their child’s individual preferences and responses to sensory input. You may like to try some of the activities below and notice whether they feel calming or alerting for your child to help support their regulation throughout the day.

Visual

• Adjust lighting (bright or dim)
• Use lamps or natural light instead of overhead lighting

Auditory

• Listening to music (experiment with different volumes or tempos)

Tactile

• Using a fidget toy
  Light tickling or touching different textures

Gustatory (Taste)

• Warm, soft foods
• Cold or crunchy foods
• Drinking through a straw

Olfactory (Smell)

• Smelling calming or refreshing scents (e.g. citrus or lavender)

Vestibular (Movement and Balance)

• Rocking
• Swinging
• Spinning

Proprioception (Body Awareness)

• Tight hugs
• “Heavy work” activities such as pushing or pulling objects, carrying groceries, wall pushes
• Jumping on a trampoline

Interoception (Body Awareness)

• Deep breathing
• Mindfulness activities or body scans

How MTS Can Support

At MTS, we support families to better understand their child’s unique sensory system and how it influences regulation, learning, and participation in everyday life.

An occupational therapist can work with you to:

• Complete a sensory assessment
  
• Provide coaching and practical strategies
  
• Develop a personalised sensory toolkit for home or school
  
• Share resources tailored to your child’s needs
  

With the right support, families can be better supported to understand their child and help them regulate, participate, and thrive in daily life.

Have you ever felt like you were pushing a child to speak, only to see them shut down or lose confidence? At My Therapy Space, we know that encouraging communication isn’t about forcing words—it’s about creating moments where children feel safe, supported, and excited to express themselves. Our team believes that every child has their own unique way of communicating, and our role is to nurture it, gently and joyfully.

One of the most powerful ways to encourage communication is to follow the child’s lead. Children naturally engage when they’re interested, so joining them in play or activities they love is a great starting point. Whether it’s building blocks, drawing, or playing with dolls, commenting on what they’re doing and pausing for them to respond can make communication feel natural and fun.

We also know the importance of modeling language without demanding it. Using clear, simple phrases in context helps children absorb and use language at their own pace. Even if they don’t respond immediately, every exposure supports growth. And if a child doesn’t respond immediately, that’s okay—they’re still learning. Patience is key.

Children often express themselves through gestures, signs, or other forms of communication when speaking feels challenging or hard. Encouraging these tools helps them communicate with confidence, reduces frustration, and can also support the development of verbal skills over time. At My Therapy Space, we celebrate every attempt at communication—words, gestures, or sounds—because each one is meaningful and valid.

Keeping communication positive, relaxed, and part of everyday life is key. Children pick up on our energy, so showing encouragement, smiling, and celebrating any attempt—whether a word, gesture, or sound—helps them feel safe and confident. Narrating routines, reading together, or asking simple questions during play creates natural opportunities for expression. By focusing on connection and enjoyment rather than correctness, and keeping interactions responsive and pressure-free, we help children develop their communication skills in a way that feels joyful and meaningful every day.

Ultimately, encouraging communication is about connection, support, and celebration—creating everyday moments where children feel heard, understood, and confident to express themselves. By following their lead, modeling language in context, supporting alternative forms of expression, and keeping interactions positive and enjoyable, children can develop their skills naturally. Every word, gesture, or sound is meaningful, and with consistent encouragement, communication becomes a joyful and integral part of daily life.

At My Therapy Space, our team is passionate about creating supportive environments where children can communicate confidently and naturally. 

If you have concerns about your child’s communication or would like more ideas for supporting their language development, our team at My Therapy Space is here to help. Get in touch to learn more!

If your child seeks constant movement, becomes overwhelmed in busy environments, or struggles to sit still long enough to finish a meal or school task, you may have heard an OT mention a sensory diet. Despite the name, a sensory diet has nothing to do with food! Instead, it is a personalised plan of sensory activities designed to give your child the right kind of input their body needs to feel calm, focused, and ready for daily life.

What Is a Sensory Diet?

A sensory diet is a structured set of activities that provide the sensory input your child’s nervous system needs throughout the day. Every child processes sensory information differently—some seek certain sensations (like movement, pressure, or touch), while others become overwhelmed by too much input. A sensory diet helps balance this by offering the “just right” amount of sensory experiences at planned times. This supports your child’s ability to self-regulate, concentrate, manage emotions, and participate more successfully in everyday routines.

Why Might a Child Need One?

A child may benefit from a sensory diet if they often feel “too revved up,” “too flat,” or easily overwhelmed by their environment. For example, they might constantly fidget, chew clothing, avoid messy play, cover their ears at loud sounds, or struggle with transitions and attention. A sensory diet can help build predictable moments of sensory input that support their body and brain to feel more organised and in control.

What Does a Sensory Diet Include?

A sensory diet doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. It often includes quick activities woven naturally into your day. These activities may provide:

• Movement input (e.g., jumping on a trampoline, scooter board rides, animal walks).
• Deep pressure (e.g., big squeezes, weighted blanket time, pushing or pulling heavy items).
• Oral input (e.g., chewy or crunchy foods, blowing bubbles, using a straw).
• Tactile play (e.g., playdough, kinetic sand, water play).
• Calming input (e.g., slow rocking, dim lights, breathing activities).

Your child’s OT selects activities based on the sensory systems that need support and what helps your child feel calm and organised.

How to Create a Sensory Diet That Works

A sensory diet should be personalised, flexible, and realistic for your family. Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify sensory needs. Work with your OT to understand whether your child seeks or avoids certain types of input.
2. Choose activities your child enjoys. Sensory diets work best when they feel fun, not forced.
3. Add activities into natural transition points. Before school, after school, before bed, or between tasks are great times.
4. Be consistent but adaptable. Children’s needs change day to day, adjust as needed.
5. Watch for the “just right” zone. The goal is to help your child feel calm and ready, not overstimulated or under-stimulated.

Examples of a Simple Sensory Diet

Morning:

• 5 minutes of trampoline jumping.
• Carrying a heavy laundry basket to their room.
• Chewy breakfast options (e.g., bagel, muesli bar).

After School:

• Swinging for 5–10 minutes.
• Playdough or LEGO during snack time.

Evening:

• Warm bath.
• Slow, firm massage or stretches.
• Deep breathing before bed.

When to Seek Support

If your child’s sensory needs are impacting school, home routines, friendships, or emotional regulation, an occupational therapist can assess their sensory processing and create a tailored sensory diet. The right plan can help your child feel more balanced, confident, and successful across their day.

Written by Julia Cecco
Occupational Therapist

When we think of Speech Pathology, we often think of helping children say their ‘r’s or ‘s’s correctly. While clear speech is a big part of what we do, it is actually just one piece of a much larger puzzle. At My Therapy Space, we look at the ‘whole child’—helping them not just to speak, but to connect, understand, and participate in the world around them.

What Do We Actually Do?

A Paediatric Speech Pathologist (SP) works on the many different ways we communicate and interact with the world. This includes:

• Language Skills: Helping children understand what others are saying (receptive language) and helping them find the right words to express their own ideas (expressive language).
• Functional Language:  Using Augmentative or Alternative Communication to support children to get their message across with Key Word Signs, pictures, gestures, symbols or high tech communication devices.
• Social Communication: Teaching the “unwritten rules” of interaction, understanding body language, staying on topic, and knowing how to change how we speak depending on who we are talking to.
• Speech Clarity: Working on the physical production of sounds so that children can be clearly understood by their family, teachers, and peers.
• Literacy and Pre-reading: Supporting the building blocks of reading and writing, such as recognizing sounds in words and understanding story structures.
• Fluency and Voice: Helping children who stutter to speak more smoothly or helping those with voice disorders use their voice safely.
• Feeding and Swallowing: Ensuring children can eat and drink safely, which is a vital part of their overall development and sensory experience.

Why the “Whole Child” Approach Matters

Communication isn’t just about saying words; it’s about connection. When a child struggles to communicate, it can impact their confidence, their ability to make friends, and their success at school.

By looking beyond just speech sounds, we help children develop the “total package” of communication. This holistic approach ensures that they don’t just speak, but that they can truly share their personality and build meaningful relationships with the people around them.

How Can You Support Your Child’s Communication?

You are your child’s best advocate and teacher. Here are a few ways to support their communication journey at home:

• Follow your child’s lead:  We all communicate more when we are doing the things we enjoy
• Model without expectation:  Comment on your play without expecting your child to copy words or repeat what you have to say.  This will decrease pressure to get the words out!
• Be a Narrator: Talk about what you are doing throughout the day. “Look, I found the green apples. Let’s put three in the bag?” or “We’re putting on your blue jumper because it’s cold outside today!”
• Value All Communication: Honor all communication including gestures, pointing, or facial expressions, signing, words, or symbols  to tell you something—not just when they use words.
• Read Together: Books are a goldmine for new vocabulary and discussing how characters might be feeling.

At My Therapy Space, we are dedicated to helping every child find their unique voice and the tools they need to navigate the world. Communication is a journey, and we are here to walk it with you.

If you’re curious about how a Speech Pathologist can support your child’s specific needs, our team at My Therapy Space is ready to chat. Reach out today!

Starting Prep: Is my child ‘Prep Ready’?

Is your child starting Prep soon, and you’re wondering what “ready” really means?

School readiness isn’t about ticking off a checklist or changing who a child is. Every child brings their own strengths, interests, and ways of experiencing the world. Getting ready for Prep is about supporting children to feel safe, understood, and confident as they adjust to a new environment.

Tip 1: Practice Predictable Morning Routines

Prep mornings can feel overwhelming for children who are still learning how to manage transitions. Creating a predictable morning routine helps children know what to expect and reduces stress.

Try:

• Using a simple visual routine showing each step (get dressed, breakfast, shoes, bag)
• Keeping the routine consistent each day, while allowing flexibility when needed
• Practicing the routine on weekends or during the holidays in a calm, low-pressure way

Predictability supports emotional regulation and helps children feel in control as they start their day.

Tip 2: Build Independence with Everyday Tasks

In Prep, children are encouraged to manage many tasks on their own, such as dressing, toileting, opening food, and packing up belongings. Practicing these skills at home helps reduce frustration and builds confidence at school.

Helpful strategies include:

• Breaking tasks into smaller steps
• Offering choices to reduce the demand
• Allowing extra time for your child to try independently
• Practicing skills regularly without rushing
• Using adaptive tools or supports when helpful

Progress doesn’t need to be perfect, confidence and willingness to try are what matter most.

Tip 3: Support Emotional Regulation and Transitions

Starting Prep involves big changes, new expectations, and busy environments. It’s normal for children to experience big emotions during this transition. Helping children understand their emotions and body cues can make a big difference.

You might:

• Talk about feelings using simple language
• Practice calming strategies like deep breathing or movement breaks
• Prepare your child for transitions by talking through what will happen next and what to expect when starting school

These strategies help children feel safer and more regulated as they adjust to school routines.

Tip 4: Build Listening and Attention Through Connection and Play

Skills such as listening, following instructions, and waiting can be practised naturally through play and shared activities. These skills develop over time and look different for every child.

Try:

• Giving short, clear instructions and checking for understanding
• Playing turn-taking games that are enjoyable and low pressure
• Supporting attention through connection rather than correction

When children feel connected and safe, engagement comes more easily.

How MTS Can Support Your Child Starting Prep

Starting Prep is a big milestone, for both children and parents. At MTS, we offer a range of supports to help families feel confident and prepared. Children can join our Prep Readiness Group, where they build foundational skills for school in a fun, supportive, and small-group environment alongside peers.

Families can also book a School Readiness Planning Session with one of our experienced Occupational Therapists. These sessions provide personalised guidance, practical strategies, and clear next steps tailored to your child’s strengths and needs.
At MTS, we take a neuro-affirming, strengths-based, and family-centred approach, supporting children to thrive as they are and parents to feel supported every step of the way. If you would like to know more about how we may be able to support your child and family as they enter into Prep, please contact reception on 07 5559 9888 or reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.

At My Therapy Space, we know that play is much more than just fun—it’s a powerful tool for helping children develop the communication skills they need for everyday interactions. Whether you’re a parent, carer, or educator, understanding the role of play in early communication can make a world of difference for the children in your care.

Why is Play So Important for Communication?

Play is a child’s natural way of exploring the world. Through play, children learn to:

• Express themselves: Play gives children opportunities to use gestures, sounds, and words to share their ideas, needs, and feelings.
• Understand others: By taking turns and following rules, children learn to listen and respond to others.
• Build vocabulary: Play introduces new words and concepts in a meaningful context, helping children expand their language.
• Develop social skills: Playing with others teaches children about cooperation, negotiation, and empathy.

Types of Play That Support Communication

Different types of play encourage different communication skills. Here are a few examples:

• Pretend Play: When children act out stories with dolls, animals, or action figures, they practise using language for different roles and situations.
• Constructive Play: Building with blocks or puzzles encourages children to describe what they’re making and ask for help or materials.
• Physical Play: Games like “peek-a-boo” or “hide and seek” help children learn to take turns and anticipate what comes next.
• Interactive Play: Singing songs, playing simple board games, or reading together all provide opportunities for back-and-forth communication.

How Can Adults Support Play for Communication?

You don’t need fancy toys or special equipment to support your child’s communication through play. Here are some simple tips:

1. Follow your child’s lead: Let them choose the activity and join in at their level.
2. Comment, don’t quiz: Talk about what your child is doing rather than asking lots of questions. For example, “You’re building a tall tower!” instead of “What are you building?” or “Let’s see what colour comes next…” instead of “What colour is this?”
3. Model language: Use clear, simple language and repeat new words in context.
4. Pause and wait: Give your child time to respond or take a turn in the conversation.
5. Expand on what they say: If your child says “car”, you might say, “Yes, a big red car is driving fast!”

Play is a natural and enjoyable way for children to develop the foundations of communication. By joining in and supporting your child’s play, you’re helping them build the skills they need to connect with others and express themselves confidently.

If you have concerns about your child’s communication or would like more ideas for supporting their development through play, our team at My Therapy Space is here to help. Get in touch to learn more!

At My Therapy Space, we’re passionate about empowering families and children through the power of play. Stay tuned for more tips and resources on supporting your child’s communication journey!

Toilet training can be one of the most challenging milestones for both children and their parents. Whether it’s a new skill for your child or you’ve been working on it for some time, occupational therapy (OT) can play a crucial role in making the process smoother and more successful. But what exactly does OT do for toilet training, and how can it support both your child and your family? In this blog post, we’ll break down how OT can help, what to expect from therapy, and the positive changes we hope to see.

What Does Occupational Therapy Do for Toilet Training?

Occupational therapy (OT) supports children in learning the skills needed for independent toileting. OT doesn’t just focus on teaching kids how to use the toilet, it takes a holistic approach, addressing the physical, cognitive, and emotional factors that play into the process. OT helps children with:

• Motor Skills: These are the physical actions involved in toileting, like pulling pants down, sitting on the toilet, wiping, and flushing.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Many children have sensitivities to certain textures, sounds, or smells that can make the bathroom experience uncomfortable or overwhelming. OT can help them manage these sensory challenges.
• Emotional Readiness: OT helps children build confidence and self-regulation, which is key for managing the emotional aspects of toilet training, like anxiety or fear of the bathroom.
• Routine and Independence: OT teaches children how to follow consistent routines and gradually gain independence in toileting.

What Training Has the OT Team Done in This Field?

Our occupational therapists are continuously expanding their knowledge and skills in toilet training interventions. Therapists at My Therapy Space have completed further training including:

• Rebecca Khan’s workshop on Learning to Conquer the Wees and Poos: Behavioural management of constipation/encopresis and urinary incontinence in children – the basics and beyond.

• Rebecca Khan’s workshop on Toilet Phobia

• Talking Toileting: Series 1 & 2 presented by Debbie Atkins and Di Collis

What Will This Look Like for Your Child’s Therapy Session?

During therapy sessions, your child will engage in activities tailored to their specific needs and challenges. Here’s what you can expect:

• Sensory Integration Activities: If your child is sensitive to certain textures or sounds in the bathroom, we will work on exercises to help them gradually get used to these sensory experiences.
• Motor Skill Practice: We’ll practice movements like pulling down pants, sitting on the toilet, wiping, and flushing. These tasks may be broken down into smaller steps for easier learning.
• Visual Schedules and Social Stories: To help your child understand the steps involved in toileting, we may use visual supports such as picture schedules, social stories, or even role-playing with dolls or action figures.
• Creating Positive Toileting Experiences: We’ll work together to make toileting a positive and empowering experience, helping your child build confidence and a sense of success at their own pace.
• Parent Coaching: We teach you the steps you need to follow through with therapy in the child’s natural environment at home.

What Resources Do We Use for This?

To support your child’s progress, we use a variety of resources and tools in our OT sessions, including:

• Visual Schedules: Picture charts that show each step of the toilet routine.
• Social Stories: Stories that teach children about appropriate toileting behavior in a fun and accessible way.
• Adaptive Tools: Items like step stools, potty training seats, and other tools that can make the toilet experience more comfortable and accessible.
• Sensory Integration Activities: Techniques to address sensory issues that might make toileting overwhelming for your child.
• Pretend Play Toys: Toys to model the steps of toileting and to allow children to explore in a child-friendly way.

How Will We Support Your Family in This Area?

We understand that toilet training can be stressful, and our goal is to support your family through every step of the process. We will:

• Work closely with you: We’ll collaborate with you to create a plan that fits your child’s unique needs and your family’s routine.
• Provide strategies for home: We’ll share practical tips that you can use at home to reinforce what your child is learning in therapy.
• Offer ongoing support: If challenges arise, we’ll be there to provide guidance and adjust the approach as needed.

We know that this is a big step for your child, and we are here to help you feel confident every step of the way.

The Changes We Hope You’ll See

Through our support, we hope to see your child:

• Gain confidence in their ability to use the toilet independently.
• Develop motor skills that help them complete the steps of toileting with more ease.
• Become more comfortable with sensory experiences in the bathroom.
• Master routines that lead to consistent, successful toileting.
• Feel proud of their progress and feel less anxious about the process.

Our goal is to help your child achieve independence and confidence in toileting, giving them a sense of accomplishment and helping make this milestone a positive experience for the whole family.

Toilet training is an important milestone, and with the support of occupational therapy, your child can learn and grow through the process with confidence. If you have any questions or want to learn more about how OT can help your child, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here at MTS to help guide you and your family every step of the way.

Self-care is an important part of every child’s development, and occupational therapists (OTs) play a crucial role in helping children gain the skills needed for daily activities. These activities, such as dressing, toileting, eating, grooming, and bathing, can sometimes be challenging, especially for children with different needs. OTs work with children using play-based therapy, making learning these skills fun and engaging. Here is an overview of how OTs support children with self-care, and the positive changes families can expect.

What Does OT Do for Self-Care?

Occupational therapists help children develop the skills needed for self-care through individualised and play-based interventions. This means that instead of using traditional methods, we incorporate activities that your child finds fun and motivating to help them build the skills they need. For example, we might use games, crafts, or even pretend play to teach tasks like buttoning a shirt or brushing teeth. Through playful interactions, children learn to become more independent in their daily routines, fostering confidence and promoting a sense of accomplishment.

OTs focus on a variety of self-care areas, including:

• Dressing: Learning to put on clothes, fasten buttons, zip zippers, and tie shoelaces.
• Toileting: Supporting children in understanding toilet training, wiping, washing hands, and managing hygiene.
• Feeding: Encouraging the development of skills for eating independently, such as using utensils and drinking from a cup.
• Grooming: Learning how to brush teeth, comb hair, and take care of personal hygiene.

What Will This Look Like for Your Child’s Therapy Session?

Each therapy session is tailored to your child’s unique needs and interests. For example, if your child enjoys playing with dolls, we may use that as a fun way to practice dressing and grooming. If your child loves playing with water, we may incorporate washing hands or brushing teeth as part of a water-based activity. The goal is to engage your child in activities they enjoy, while also helping them practice and develop self-care skills.

Sessions are structured but flexible, allowing for play-based learning with positive reinforcement. We will celebrate small successes together, fostering an encouraging environment that supports your child’s growth and confidence.

What Resources Do We Use for This?

We use a wide range of resources to support self-care goals, including:

• Therapy tools: Items like dressing dolls, adaptive utensils, or brushing tools are often used to practise skills in a safe, fun way.
• Visual schedules: These are helpful for children who need clear steps to understand the process of self-care tasks.
• Sensory tools: Body socks, textured fabrics, or calming scents can help children with sensory sensitivities feel comfortable and engaged during therapy.
• Interactive games: We often use games that involve movement, fine motor tasks, or social interaction to make learning more enjoyable.

How Will We Support Your Family in This Area?

Our team understands that self-care is not just about what happens during therapy sessions; it is about creating a routine that works for your family. We will work closely with you to develop strategies that can be used at home, ensuring that the skills your child learns during therapy are reinforced in their everyday environment.

We will also provide resources and practical tips for managing self-care tasks at home, which could include visual schedules, reminders, or specific sensory strategies that help your child feel more comfortable. Our goal is to make the transition from therapy to home as seamless as possible.

The Changes We Hope You’ll See

As a result of OT support, you will likely notice significant changes in your child’s ability to complete self-care tasks independently. Some changes may include:

• Increased confidence: Your child will feel proud of their ability to complete self-care tasks on their own.
• Improved independence: Whether it is dressing themselves or managing their toileting routine, your child will become more independent in everyday activities.
• Better motor skills: Through OT sessions, your child will build the fine and gross motor skills needed for tasks like buttoning, brushing teeth, and holding utensils.
• Reduced stress: As your child becomes more comfortable with self-care tasks, you may notice less frustration and stress during these activities, making them feel more manageable for both your child and your family.

With ongoing support and play-based therapy at MTS, we hope to help your child build lifelong skills and confidence in managing self-care, while also ensuring that the process is enjoyable for both your child and your family!

When you think of what a Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy session looks like, you might think of the therapist working one-on-one with a child and then maybe some ideas or homework sheets provided to the family at the end. 

Some sessions may look like this however we wanted to highlight the importance of working WITH parents and carers.

How do therapists support parents in intervention?

The most important part of early intervention is support that is provided to the family. A child attends therapy for just one or two hours a week. If we can support parents to provide therapy at home during mealtimes, bathtime, getting dressed, playtime, driving in the car etc, your child is getting therapy for maybe 30 hours a week! This is when you will see magic happen for your child. 

• Listen: A therapist’s job is to listen. To hear all of the achievements, the difficulties and the questions asked to better understand how each child fits into their family. Some sessions there may not be much to report and other times this may make up the whole session. Therapists are there to listen first. 
• Support: After hearing any concerns the therapist is then able to work with the family to address any new situations that have come up. This includes brainstorming together ideas that may be helpful to trial in the home or community or further discussion to understand diagnosis or assessment results, Support may also include referral to additional professionals, guidance towards resources (e.g. parent courses, community groups or physical resources for purchase). Parents may also want to discuss locating  services for themselves to ensure that they are getting the personal support required to be able to help their child. This may include direction to mental health support, connecting with other parents or referring to community groups.
• Coaching: Therapists provide coaching in each session to ensure that the caregivers feel confident doing at home, what has been practiced in therapy sessions. We know that just watching a therapist do activities is not enough to ensure that families will feel confident doing the same activities in the same way at home. If it was that easy, we would all be awesome golf players from watching Tiger Woods!! All of us need to practice when we learn new things. Therefore, therapy sessions are a valuable time to have a go implementing strategies and talk through with your therapist how it felt. Each new therapy session is a chance to talk about the strategies that were provided in the previous session and the parent and therapist can then work together  to find out what went well, what needs more time and any questions you might have.  When parents feel confident using strategies outside of the session, this is where it will make a true difference for the child’s progress towards their goals. 

It is important to remember that therapy looks different for everyone but parent and family support is the most important part of therapy. At My Therapy Space, we love working together with our families to best support their children and help them to achieve the very best they can.

Reading stories with children isn’t just a lovely way to spend time together—it’s one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s development. A love for reading is the key to becoming a great reader. When children enjoy books, they are more likely to engage with language, expand their vocabulary, and develop strong foundations for lifelong learning.

1. Create a Reading Routine

Children thrive on routine. Set aside a special time each day for reading—whether it’s after breakfast, before bedtime, or curled up together on the couch in the afternoon. When reading becomes a regular part of their day, children start to look forward to this calm, connected moment with you.

2. Choose Wonderful Books

Fill your child’s world with rich, engaging stories. Picture books with beautiful illustrations, playful rhymes, or relatable characters help bring language to life. Let your child choose some books themselves—this builds independence and excitement about reading.

3. Make Reading Interactive and Fun

Reading shouldn’t feel like a test. Make it fun! Use silly voices, pause to ask questions about the story, and talk about the pictures. Encourage your child to turn the pages, guess what might happen next, or join in with repeated phrases.

4. Surround Children with Print

The more print children see in their environment, the more they understand that written words carry meaning. Label objects around the house, keep books within reach, and model writing—whether it’s a grocery list or a birthday card.

5. Focus on Playing with Sounds—Not the Alphabet

It’s a common misconception that teaching the alphabet is the first step to reading. In fact, children need strong phonological awareness—that is, the ability to hear and play with the sounds in language.

Try these sound-based activities:

• Rhyming games – read rhyming books, make up silly rhymes together
  
• Clap out syllables – break words into parts and clap them out (like “el-e-phant”)
  
• I Spy with sounds – “I spy something that starts with b…”
  
• Blend sounds together – stretch out sounds like “c-a-t” and let your child guess the word
  

These playful sound games are the building blocks for reading success.

6. Limit Screen Time

Screens are part of modern life, but too much screen time can take away from opportunities to talk, listen, and read together. Make room for real-world interaction—especially reading books and playing with language. The magic of a shared story can never be replaced by a screen.

Reading with your child is one of the most powerful ways to support their language and literacy development. By making it a fun, relaxed part of your day, you’re helping build the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. 

If reading with your child feels challenging or isn’t as enjoyable as you’d like, our speech pathologists at My Therapy Space can help with simple, practical strategies to make story time fun, engaging, and empowering for both you and your child.

By Sarah Cook, Speech Language Pathologist

What is AAC?

AAC stands for “Alternative and Augmentative Communication”, which is any communication different from using spoken words. Alternative- means some people will use this communication instead of speaking. Augmentative means strategies that people may use alongside spoken words. Some examples of AAC include gestures, sign language, using objects, picture communication boards, iPads with apps or communication devices. 

Why use visual communication? 

Everyone relies on visuals daily to ensure they can participate in everyday tasks. This morning I relied on visuals to stop at a stop sign, to locate the toilets in a building using the toilet symbol, I used gestures to wave hello to a colleague and to push the door open instead of pulling. I have used writing and getting my phone to speak for me when I’ve lost my voice due to laryngitis. AAC is everywhere and helps support our understanding and gives people another way to express themselves.  

Will using AAC impact my child’s ability to speak?

Some parents are worried that by teaching their child to sign, or use symbols or communication app, that their child will choose to use that instead of learning to talk. Children will generally do what is easiest for them to get their message across! If they can learn to talk, then they will keep learning this while they use AAC to help them communicate while their speech is developing. We know that for many of our neurodivergent children, using speech can be difficult at times depending on their emotions. At these times, having options to communicate in another way is essential. 

Ideas for using AAC at home

• Key Word Sign: learn a few signs and try to use them when interacting with your child
  • https://auslan.org.au/
  • https://signplanet.net/
  • @mytherapyspace_ : we  share signs each week on Instagram and Facebook

• Gestures: just like sign, using natural gestures can support language and understanding e.g. pointing to what you are talking about, act out action (two hands pulled down alongside head to represent ‘hat on’) 
• Pictures: using pictures of people, places, things when talking about what you are doing for the day or for transitions from one activity to the next 
• Objects- offering the choice of 2 objects for your child to choose from eg “ball or trains?” “Biscuits or yoghurt”. 

This might feel like a lot…

It may be overwhelming to think about the use of AAC with your child. Maybe it feels overwhelming to learn a new communication system. All of these concerns are valid, you are not alone. Ultimately, as the parent or carer you get to decide what will work best for you and your family.   The team at My Therapy Space have a lot of experience and skills in using AAC so please ask them for help.
If you’d like to know more information about AAC please discuss with your Speech Pathologist. If you aren’t currently accessing speech services please contact reception on 07 5559 9888 or reception@mytherapyspace.com.au to find out more.