Steps Together Children's Therapy

14/09/2026

🐱🔎 What are we working on? Cat Crimes edition!

Games are such a great way to work on therapy goals while keeping sessions playful and engaging, and Cat Crimes is one we love pulling out!

While figuring out which mischievous cat is responsible, children can be practising:

- Auditory comprehension & following instructions: Listening to clues, holding onto information and using it to make decisions.

- Problem-solving & logical thinking: Working through possibilities, ruling things out and changing their approach when needed.

- Inferencing & critical thinking: Using the information we have to work out what hasn’t been directly stated.

- Taking a brain break: Sometimes a quick game is exactly what we need between more demanding tasks!

Another fun, meaningful activity to give us plenty of opportunities to practise skills along the way.

09/09/2026

Regulation tools aren’t just for “calming down”.

From an OT perspective, regulation is about helping our body find the level of energy and alertness that works for what we need to do.

Sometimes we need to bring our energy down, like before bed, during an assembly, or when big feelings show up.

Other times, we might need to bring our energy up, like getting going in the morning, staying engaged during learning, or finding the energy to keep trying when something feels tricky.

And regulation tools can look like lots of different things: movement, headphones, fidgets, visual supports, weighted items, chewing, connection with a trusted adult, changing the environment, reducing a demand or simply taking a break.

The goal isn’t to have a child who is always calm! It’s to help children gradually notice what their body needs, discover tools that work for them, and feel supported to participate in the things that matter to them.

Because there’s no one-size-fits-all regulation strategy. Different bodies need different things at different times.

07/09/2026

Slime might look like just messy play… but there can be a whole lot of learning happening at the same time!

From an OT perspective, squishing, squeezing, stretching and manipulating slime can support hand strength, sensory exploration and regulation, handwriting, or learning goals.

From a Speech Pathology perspective, slime creates plenty of natural opportunities for communication, describing textures, learning new words, following instructions, making choices, asking questions, taking turns and sharing ideas.

And perhaps most importantly? It’s fun.

When children are interested, engaged and motivated, we have so many opportunities to build skills through meaningful play.

Sometimes the best therapy doesn’t look much like “work” at all.

06/09/2026

Happy Father's Day from Steps Together to all the Dads and Father figures who go the extra mile to support our little ones. We hope you all get spoiled today!

01/09/2026

Looking for OT or Speech support in Perth? Reach out! Https://www.stepstogethertherapy.com.au

28/08/2026

Before children can regulate on their own, they need lots of experiences of regulating alongside someone they trust.

This is co-regulation — and it plays an important role in how children gradually develop their own regulation skills.

Co-regulation might look like staying close during a big feeling, using fewer words, offering movement or sensory support, changing the environment, or simply being a calm and safe presence while your child works through something difficult.

It’s not about making every big feeling disappear. It’s about helping children learn:

🌱 I can experience difficult feelings.
🌱 My body can move through them.
🌱 I have people who can support me when I need help.

Our latest blog explores co-regulation from an Occupational Therapy perspective, including what it is, why it matters, and practical strategies families can use at home.

👉 Read the full blog on our website: https://www.stepstogethertherapy.com.au/blog/co-regulation-why-children-need-our-calm-before-they-can-find-their-own

26/08/2026

It’s Speech Pathology Week!

This year’s theme, “Communication creates possibility,” beautifully captures why communication is about so much more than simply speaking. Communication creates possibilities to learn, to grow, to belong, to choose, to participate and to thrive.

At Steps Together, our Speech Pathologists support children to build communication skills that help them connect with the people and world around them while recognising that there is no one “right” way to communicate.

Communication might look like spoken words, gestures, signs, AAC, facial expressions, drawing, writing, or a combination of many different things. What matters is that every child has opportunities to express themselves, make choices, be understood and have their perspectives valued.

Speech Pathology can support so many different areas, including speech sounds, language, literacy, fluency, social communication, AAC and more, but ultimately, it’s about helping children use communication in ways that are meaningful to them.

This Speech Pathology Week, we’re celebrating the incredible possibilities that open up when children are supported to communicate authentically.

And, of course, a very special shout-out to our wonderful Speech Pathologists, who bring so much knowledge, care and creativity to the children and families they support every day.

24/08/2026

What is interoception — and why do OTs talk about it?

Interoception is our ability to notice and make sense of signals coming from inside our body. Things like hunger, thirst, needing the toilet, tiredness, temperature, breathing and changes in our heartbeat.

These signals can also give us important clues about our emotions and regulation.

For some children, these internal signals can be difficult to notice, recognise or interpret. They might not realise they're thirsty until they're really thirsty. They might not notice that they need the toilet until it’s urgent. Or they may have difficulty recognising that their body is becoming overwhelmed until those feelings have become really big.

Swipe through for a simple introduction to interoception, some signs that it may be tricky for your child, and practical ways to gently build body awareness at home.

As always, the aim isn't to teach children what their body should feel like — it's to help them become curious about, understand and respond to their own body.

21/08/2026

It’s more than just playing with a dollhouse!

Dollhouse play can create so many natural opportunities for learning and development — which is why you might spot one in both our OT and Speech Pathology sessions.

For our OTs, dollhouse play can support skills like fine motor coordination, planning and sequencing, social skills, emotional regulation and participation in everyday routines.

For our Speech Pathologists, the very same activity can be used to build vocabulary, instruction-following skills, storytelling, comprehension and social communication.

And the best part? These skills can be explored through something that is meaningful, engaging and fun for the child.

Because sometimes therapy looks a lot like play, and there can be a whole lot of learning happening along the way! 🏠

17/08/2026

Sharing for any of our families who might benefit from support with toileting outside of direct therapy sessions 🚽🧻

📣 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST — TOILET TIME: DEVELOPING TOILET SKILLS IN YOUNG CHILDREN with Debbie Atkins

Achieving independence with toileting is an important milestone in a child’s life. However, learning to use the toilet takes time, and there can often be challenges along the way.

💭 Do you want to start teaching toilet skills with your child but are not sure where to begin?
💭 Are you having difficulties introducing a toilet routine?
💭 Are you interested in exploring different strategies to support your child’s toilet learning?

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest from Perth parents and caregivers of children aged 3-6 years for our upcoming Toilet Time workshop with Debbie Atkins, Occupational Therapist and Continence & Toileting Expert.

This 2-hour, evidence-informed and interactive workshop is designed to equip parents and caregivers with practical knowledge and strategies to support their child’s toilet learning journey.

Interested in attending?
Complete our Expression of Interest form to be notified when workshop details are confirmed.
🔗 https://ToiletTime-EOI.eventbrite.com
📍 Perth, WA

Hosted by Divergent Therapy & Think Autism
https://www.divergenttherapy.com.au
https://www.thinkautism.com.au