Paediatric Physiotherapy

At Firstchance we provide specialised early intervention services. Our Paediatric Physiotherapists are experienced in assisting families to support children with a range of disabilities – and this includes but is not limited to: developmental delay, autism, chromosomal disorders and genetic conditions.

Our Paediatric Occupational Therapy team have extensive knowledge, skills, and experience assisting and working with children with a vast range of disabilities and conditions. Our team works closely with families to ensure that the support provided considers family routines and priorities. Our Occupational Therapists support children and their families to work towards their goals and increase their independence and participation in areas (occupations) including:

• learning
• play
• socialising
• self-help activities such as dressing, feeding, and toileting.

Achieving these goals assists in the building of your child’s confidence and self-esteem, and supports their participation and inclusion at home, school, and in the community.

In order to provide comprehensive support that considers the uniqueness of every child and family, our Occupational Therapists work closely with a multi-disciplinary team to provide a holistic and individualised approach to supporting your child’s needs and goals.

Our Occupational Therapy team provides specialised interventions based on findings of assessments, observations, and listening to children and families about their unique experiences, interests, hopes and dreams. 

Assessments may focus on sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, overall development and practical, functional skills in day-to-day life. We can also provide assessments and fitting of assistive technology or equipment that will assist children to participate in everyday life. This may include seating, mobility, and self-care equipment.

Our Occupational Therapists are continually developing and learning new skills through various evidence-based training to support every child and their family. Some of the areas of interest, specific training and experience our team has include the following:

 

• DIR Floortime
• Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Approach
• Supporting sleep routines
• Approaches to promoting toileting and continence
• Occupational Performance Coaching
• Sensory based interventions (E.g. Therapeutic Listening; Therapressure Treatment Technique; Safe and Sound Protocol; M.O.R.E)
• Supporting self-regulation (e.g. Interoception curriculum; Zones of Regulation; Shanker Self-Regulation; The Alert Program: How Does My Engine Run)
• Paediatric Feeding approaches (E.g. SOS; Responsive Feeding)
• NDT-SI Blending Intervention Approaches in Children with Developmental Disabilities

At Firstchance, we service the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and Port Stephens Local Government Areas. Our professional Occupational Therapists provide services in various locations depending on your child and family needs. This may be at home, early childhood education setting, school, park, shopping centre, community setting or swimming lessons. We also have therapy rooms in Mayfield where appointments can be scheduled and are also able to offer telehealth sessions.