Physio Gems

10/10/2026

For children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), navigating crowded environments can be exhausting.

That is why we must create an environment to help the brain understand what information the eyes are taking in!

For some children with CVI we can use auditory and visual feedback to stimulate and engage the brain in learning and play:

• 🔴 High-Contrast Visuals: Children with CVI often respond to single, bright colors (like a solid red or yellow ball) placed against a plain, clutter-free background. This helps the brain isolate the target without visual static. Visual contrast using lights under or behind toys can help to locate or bring visual attention to toys.

• 🔊 Auditory Feedback: Adding sound or verbal cues give the brain an alternative pathway to map where their body is in space. Sounds linked to movement provide a cause-and-effect learning.

• 🔀 Dual visual and auditory feedback: When we combine a clear visual target with a sound cue, we enhance motor learning. It helps little ones understand cause-and-effect, improves cognitive learning, and motivates them to reengage.

29/09/2026

Enough said really.

25/09/2026

01/09/2026

Purposeful Play: from birth to walking is a gorgeous book written to support parents in connection and play with their baby.

The author Australian paediatric physiotherapist Nicole Pates has thoughtfully combined her knowledge as a mum of two with her expertise as a physiotherapist creating the Purposeful Play guide to simple and meaningful play.

Swipe to see examples of how Nicole explores the journey of play from birth to walking within this book.

Ps: this book is the PERFECT first FATHERS DAY gift for those last minute shoppers!! 🛍️

23/08/2026

This post will help you to try different ways to support your scoliosis whilst you fly.

These simple pillow arrangements will alleviate your pain, fatigue, numbness and nausea when flying by strategically supporting your curve.

These recommendations are for people of all ages, including children. Trial different arrangements throughout the flight to find what is comfortable and to provide variation to the load on your spine while flying.
Plane pillows and blankets, spare jumpers and rolled towels are your friend.

22/08/2026

This picture book and calming card duo skillfully combines nature and mindfulness in a child friendly story. 🌊 ☀️ 🐚

Greta, a social worker from Queensland Australia has used her years of experience to create and delvier this beautiful resource to families.

🔗 Click across to Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing to order your set of calming cards and ‘By the Seaside’ picture book.

The book and cards contain practical ways to practice mindfulness and explore nature with your little ones.

09/08/2026

Are you new here? 💬

Maybe you know me from…
- being an Australian physiotherapist 🇦🇺 🦘
- having lived experience with medical diagnoses, scoliosis and back bracing
- sharing my experience as a child of a disabled parent
- presenting as a PhD candidate or research assistant 📖 🔍 🖊️
- representing NSW physiotherapists as the deputy-chair of the APA paediatric branch
- representing graduate researchers at the University of Melbourne 🎓
- representing Australia within the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity (ASPA) 🏏🪁🛼
- supporting local community groups and friends such as my friend Bradley and UsherKids Australia 🦻🏻👀

I’d love to meet you and know why you have decided to follow my account. Please feel free to send me a private message.

21/07/2026

On Sunday I ran 5.5km at Run Melbourne for Ushers Kids Australia 🧡💙💛

All funds raised go towards supporting families of children with Ushers syndrome, and sending the children to Ushers camp in 2027. Ushers Kids Australia Camp is a wonderful opportunity for children, teens, and young adults to meet others who understand the challenges and strengths of people living with Ushers syndrome.

Camp builds community for what can otherwise be a very scary and isolating diagnosis. Camp mentors support camp attendees to participate in fun activities and share their personal successes and challenges living with Ushers Syndrome.

🔗 The link to donate is still open in my bio!

Thank you for the support and energy on the day!

09/07/2026

Annual leave announcement 📣 from 28th July I will be heading overseas to attend a wedding in the UK!

In lieu of this I thought I would share some London highlights 🩷

03/07/2026

🔊 Let’s yell it from the rooftop (of the Empire State Building)!

Reshare if you agree ‼️

The louder our voice, the better. As allied health professionals we must stand loud and strong to defend our patients access to necessary services delivered by expert clinicians. Yes, it may appear as if we are defending our careers however healthcare workers are in healthcare for a reason being that we genuinely care for the health and wellbeing of others. NDIS participant care is at the forefront of our appeal to the NDIS to unfreeze the rates and stop the cuts. When you hurt our workforce, you hurt the people we service. Our service is not a luxury, it is a human right to live, access, move and engage in daily life and the community.