Kids In Motion Psychology, Speech & Occupational Therapy

Good morning! Her are some helpful tips to help you manage the weekend and difficult behaviour in a positive manner

Introducing Georgia...
* Tell us about you: My name is Georgia Taylor. I work with a mixed caseload of adults and paediatrics to help people enhance their communication skills. I have a particular interest in working with adults with disabilities or those recovering from stroke and traumatic brain injuries.
... * Why did you become a Speech Pathologist? I have always wanted to work in the health industry, but chose to become a speech pathologist after watching an episode of ‘the voice’. A contestant with a severe stutter was able to sing fluently and confidently on stage. It was something I was interested in and became determined to learn more about.
* What’s the best thing about being Speech Pathologist? Being able to give someone a voice, I think people take the ability to communicate for granted. It is a privilege to help people establish a functional communication system, and watch them communicate with their families, make choices and participate in conversation.
* What does this year’s Speech Pathology Week theme “communication access is communication for all” mean to you? The right to communicate is a fundamental human right, but not all people have access to a means of communication. To achieve communication for all, as speech pathologists, we need to advocate for our clients and find them a suitable method of communication. This could be sign language, using speech generating devices or using picture visual representations.
See More

Introducing Emily...
* Tell us about you: My name is Emily Boardman. I work with children with or without disabilities from 2-17 years of age, who have speech, language, or literacy difficulties. I also work with children and adolescents who stutter.
... * Why did you become a Speech Pathologist? I have always had a keen interest in the way people speak - my mother says I was correcting her grammar from quite a young age! I enjoy helping children develop their speech and language skills and watching them use these skills to communicate more successfully with others.
* What’s the best thing about being Speech Pathologist? Working with families to achieve their goals, and helping them find fun, meaningful ways to encourage and nurture their child's communication skills. It's very rewarding to see the difference that successful communication can make in the life of a child and their family.
* What does this year’s Speech Pathology Week theme “communication access is communication for all” mean to you? Communication is such an important right that many of us take for granted. Helping people to communicate successfully - whether that involves eliminating a lisp, teaching correct use of grammar, managing a stutter, or helping someone learn a whole new method such as sign language or speaking through a device - benefits not only the person with communication difficulties, but also all those they come into contact with. Successful communication allows people to express their thoughts and ideas with others, advocate for themselves, and have autonomy over their own lives.
See More

As part of Speech Pathology Week 2018, we interviewed our team of Speech Pathologists to find out what they love about being a Speech Pathologist and what communication access means to them.
Introducing Lauren...
* Tell us about you:... My name is Lauren Chisholm. I’m the Paediatric Team Leader and Senior Speech Pathologist at Kids in Motion. My special interests are speech, language and literacy difficulties.
* Why did you become a Speech Pathologist? Even from a young age I always wanted to do something that would help people. Communication, reading and writing have always been passions of mine, so Speech Pathology seemed like a perfect fit.
* What’s the best thing about being Speech Pathologist? Being able to make a real difference in a person’s life; whether it be helping a toddler say their first word, teaching a child to read or seeing an adult communicate more confidently with their family. I have met some amazing children, adults and their families over the years and been honoured to be part of their communication journey.
* What does this year’s Speech Pathology Week theme “communication access is communication for all” mean to you? Communication is a human right; every single person should have the opportunity to be able to communicate with the people they care about. It may be through talking, or it might be through other methods like sign language, pictures, writing, voice generating devices and apps. As a Speech Pathologist, my job is to help people with communication difficulties find their voice so that they can communicate with their wants, needs, ideas and dreams to the people around them.
See More

Great tips for successful communication: * Always treat the person with the communication disability with dignity and respect * Be welcoming and friendly * Understand there are many ways to communicate * Ask the person with the disability what will help with communication... * Avoid loud locations, find a quiet place * Listen carefully * When you don’t understand, let them know you are having difficulty understanding * If you think the person has not understood, repeat what you have said or say it a different way * Try asking the person yes or no questions if you are having difficulty understanding them * Ask the person to repeat or try another approach if you don’t understand * To make sure you are understood, check with the person that you have understood them correctly * If you ask a question, wait for the person to reply * Allow the person time to respond, so always be patient * Speak directly to the person and make eye contact. (Though be mindful that there are some people who may not want you to look at them, e.g. some people with autism spectrum disorder) * Speak normally. There is no need for you to raise your voice or slow your speech.
*Source: Adapted from SCOPE, Communication for All Booklet, http://www.scopeaust.org.au
See More

Today marks the beginning of Speech Pathology week 2018! The theme this year is "Communication Access is Communication for All".
Around 1.2 million people in Australia have a communication disability. Speech Pathologists help people find their voice; whether it be through improving speech and language skills or by developing alternative communication methods such word-based/picture-based communication boards, books and apps; sign and gesture, and reading/spelling.
Stay tuned this week for communication tips and insights from our speech pathology team #SPWeek

We had a visit from the Autism Advisory this week and they shared some of their sensory equipment with us. We had so much fun!

A catchy clip for learning letters and their sounds 🎼

Kids In Motion is excited to introduce "Comfort Buddy" - the new weighted blanket range available to order through our clinic!
Weighted blankets are a great sensory tool providing deep pressure like that of a "tight hug" which we all need duringtimes of distress. The deep pressure touch stimulation supplied by the weight in our blanket releases serotonin in the brain, which naturally calms us helping to reduce stress and anxiety. So just like the name of these weighted blank...ets suggests - they will soon be your's or your little ones new buddy!!!
Speak to your treating clinician and order in store for FREE delivery. *Order forms are available at reception or can be provided by your therapist.
For more information please contact Rebecca rebecca@wildflowerholisticservices.c om
https://www.facebook.com/wildflower.holis tic/
See More

We love OTs !
#occupationaltherapynarellan #kidsinmotionclinic

We love Speechies #kidsinmotionclinic #speechtherapynarellan

There are many benefits of handwriting on early learning. We can help improve handwriting very easily at Kids InMotion

We have a new addition to our sensory gym. Fantastic for developing fine motor development, visual tracking and more.

This is also a great bag to pack for your sensory seeking kids over the school holidays to keep them busy and settled

Does your child's daycare/preschool send you photos and updates of their day? Did you know that you can use these pictures to help develop your child's communication skills?
Looking at photos together is a great way of developing your child's speech and language skills and best of all, they get to spend quality time with you! Simply sit down together after preschool each day and use the photos to help your child talk about their day. If they need some extra prompting, use 'wh' questions to guide them e.g. Who are you playing with? What are you doing? Where are you now? Why are you playing with that toy? When did you go outside?

We wanted to thank everyone that applied for our Full Time Receptionist role. We were delighted to recieve over 400 applications from people with great skills and passion for what we do. We have now filled the position. As we continue to grow and expand we hope that there will be more opportunities in the future.