National PEKE Centre

03/08/2026

Starting school is a big milestone, so it's understandable that one of the most common questions we hear is:

**"Is my child ready for school?"** 🎒

The truth is... it's not a simple yes or no.

"School readiness" is often talked about as though it's a checklist of skills that every child should have before they start school. But every child develops differently, and readiness is far more nuanced than ticking off milestones.

When Occupational Therapists are involved, we're not simply asking whether a child can hold a pencil, sit still, or write their name.

Instead, we're exploring questions like:
✨ What environments help this child thrive?
✨ How do they regulate their emotions and sensory experiences?
✨ How do they communicate their needs?
✨ What supports or accommodations might help them participate successfully?
✨ Is the school environment ready for *them* as much as they are expected to be ready for school?

Sometimes, what looks like a "lack of readiness" is actually a mismatch between a child's unique strengths and needs and the expectations placed upon them.

Our role isn't to make children fit into a one-size-fits-all model. It's to understand each child as an individual, identify the supports that will help them succeed, and work alongside families and schools to create environments where they can flourish.

Because school success isn't about being the "perfect" school-ready child—it's about ensuring every child has the opportunity to belong, participate, and learn in ways that work for them.

We love how this post highlights the many different factors that contribute to a child's transition to school, and why there is so much more to the conversation than simply asking, "Are they ready?"

21/07/2026

5 things at our neurodiversity affirming allied health clinic that just make sense 🌈 🧠 🤸‍♀️📚

30/06/2026

🐚 What helps bring you out of your shell? 🐢🦀🐌

Our reception wall has become a little space for creativity, reflection, and connection. Clients are invited to choose a shell buddy to colour in — a clam shell, turtle, crab, or snail — and share what helps them feel safe, confident, connected, and more like themselves.

For some, it’s music. For others, friends, animals, movement, nature, gaming, or a favourite person. Every answer is different, and every answer matters.

We love seeing our community’s colourful reminders that there’s no one “right” way to grow, connect, or come out of our shells. 💛

If you’re visiting the clinic, stop by the wall and add your own! We can’t wait to see what helps you shine.

24/06/2026

The current NDIS price freeze for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology has significant impacts for small allied health businesses.

While the cost of delivering services continues to rise each year (including wages, rent, insurance, supervision, professional development, technology, and operational expenses), the maximum amount providers can charge under the NDIS has remained unchanged.

For small practices, this can create increasing financial pressure and may affect their ability to grow services, reduce waitlists, invest in staff development, and maintain long-term sustainability.

Ultimately, providers want to continue delivering high-quality, person-centred supports to NDIS participants. Understanding the challenges facing the sector helps explain why many clinics are advocating for pricing that better reflects the true cost of delivering services.

Thank you to Spot Therapy Hub for highlighting this important issue.

22/06/2026

🎵 Now Welcoming New Clients! 🎵

We're excited to share that our Music Therapist currently has availability for new referrals and families seeking support.

Music therapy can support children to develop communication, social connection, emotional regulation, self-expression, confidence, and participation in meaningful activities—all through the power of music and play.

Sessions are tailored to each child's unique strengths, interests, and goals, creating a safe and engaging space where they can connect, learn, and thrive.

Whether your child loves singing, instruments, movement, creating music, or simply exploring sounds, music therapy can provide opportunities for growth in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

📍 Limited appointments available
📞 Contact us today on (03) 5995 5592 to learn more or book an initial appointment.

18/06/2026

We are so excited to release our June/July school holiday group therapy programs at our Cranbourne clinic!

Our team has planned some of our most loved and popular groups (along with some new additions), so be sure not to miss out on the fun! 👩‍🍳🍪🧪

16/06/2026

A brief update on the (unfortunately) minimal information that we have access to at the moment ℹ️

The Victorian Government has released information about Thriving Kids here in Victoria

While the first stage of Thriving Kids services will begin in October 2026, the full range of services, including allied health support, will be rolled out by January 2028. Until then, children aged 0-8 can continue to access early childhood intervention through the NDIS.

When Thriving Kids starts, it will be a free service for children with developmental delay or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and will include:

🔹 Two new development assessments that will be available for every child: one before kinder, and one before school
🔹 Allied health professionals will be based in places such as maternal child health centres, kindergartens and early parenting centres. These allied health professionals will work with children and families to help children develop the skills they need for life
🔹 Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access NDIS

👉 You can read more information here – https://www.vic.gov.au/thriving-kids

We want to acknowledge that the information currently available is still very high-level. This is because Thriving Kids will not fully roll out until January 2028, and the program design is still being developed.

We will continue to share updates as they become available. 💜

09/06/2026

Many phrases that are shared online as examples of "boundary setting" are actually requests for someone else to change their behaviour.

Examples might include:
• "You need to stop yelling at me."
• "You can't speak to me like that."
• "I need you to be respectful."

While these statements communicate an important need, they still rely on the other person doing something differently.

As Dr. Becky at Good Inside explains, a boundary is about what we will do in response to a situation.

For example:
❌ "You need to stop throwing toys."
✅ "If toys are thrown, I'll move them away until everyone is safe."

The difference may seem subtle, but it's important.

A request asks someone else to change.
A boundary clarifies what you will do.

For children, this distinction matters because it helps create predictability, safety, and trust. Rather than attempting to control a child's behaviour, boundaries communicate the limits of our own actions and responsibilities.

Boundaries aren't punishments.
Boundaries aren't threats.
Boundaries aren't consequences we invent to gain compliance.

Boundaries are information about what we will do to keep ourselves, others, and the environment safe and respected.

11/05/2026

If you’ve ever asked your neurodivergent child,
“How was your day?”

…only to be met with silence, “fine”, “I don’t know”, a shrug, or what feels like avoidance — this post is for you.

Many neurodivergent children want to connect and share, but broad, open-ended questions can feel overwhelming after a full day of processing, masking, social demands, transitions, sensory input, and navigating expectations.

06/05/2026

Everything (neurodiversity affirming) hallelujah 🙌🏼