Our Place Kids Therapy

25/07/2026

Your autistic child's strengths are real. They might have an incredible memory, notice details others miss, think in unique ways, or have deep interests they're passionate about.

These aren't quirks to overcome. They're strengths to build on.

🎯 Notice what they're good at: Does your child remember everything about their favourite topic? Can they spot patterns others miss? Do they have a gift for art, music, or building things?

💪 Build on strengths: Instead of only focusing on what's hard, help your child develop what they're naturally good at. This builds confidence and self-esteem.

🌟 Celebrate differences: An autistic child who thinks differently isn't broken. They're just wired differently. And different can be amazing.

🎨 Find their passion: Many autistic children have intense interests. These aren't distractions—they're doorways to learning, connection, and joy.

💙 Help them see themselves positively: The messages your child receives about being autistic matter. Help them understand that autism is part of who they are, and that's okay.

The world needs autistic people. Your job is to help your child grow into their strengths while getting support for the areas that are harder.

24/07/2026

Check out Torquay State School prep open day.

22/07/2026

Social skills don't come naturally to many autistic children. They're not being rude or unfriendly—they're just learning a skill that doesn't come automatically to them.

The good news? Social skills can be taught.

Here's how to support your child:

🎯 Teach explicitly: Don't assume they know. "When someone says hello, we say hello back" is something that needs to be taught and practised.

👥 Start small: One friend or familiar person is better than a big group. Build confidence in smaller settings first.

🎭 Use role-play: Act out social situations at home. "I'm going to say hello, and you say hello back." Make it fun and low-pressure.

📖 Read social stories: Simple stories about social situations help your child understand what to expect and how to respond.

💙 Celebrate attempts: If your child tries to join in or say hello, that's a win. Celebrate it, even if it's not perfect.

🤝 Be their coach: Help them navigate social situations. "Your friend looks happy. You could smile back" or "They're playing with blocks. You could ask to join."

Social connection matters. Your job is to help your child learn the skills they need to connect with others in their own way.

19/07/2026

Meltdowns aren't tantrums. They're your autistic child's way of telling you they're overwhelmed. Understanding the difference changes everything.

A meltdown happens when your child has reached their limit—too much sensory input, too many transitions, too much social demand, or just too much, period.

Here's what helps:

🛡️ Prevent when you can: Notice what triggers meltdowns (loud places, unexpected changes, too many people) and plan around them when possible.

🌊 Stay calm: Your child is already overwhelmed. Your calm presence helps them feel safer, even if they can't show it in the moment.

🚪 Create space: If safe, give your child a quiet place to decompress. Dim lighting, minimal noise, no demands.

⏸️ Don't lecture: A meltdown isn't the time to teach a lesson. That comes later, when they're calm.

💙 Recover together: Once they've calmed down, stay nearby but give them space. A quiet cuddle or just sitting together can help.

🎯 Look for patterns: Keep a simple log of when meltdowns happen. You'll start to see what your child needs.

Meltdowns aren't failure. They're information. Your job is to listen and respond with compassion.

18/07/2026

💬 Meet Jenny!

Jenny is a Speech and Language Pathologist and a vital part of the Our Place Kids Therapy team. With expertise in communication and language development, Jenny brings warmth, practical strategies, and a genuine passion for helping children find their voice.

Jenny's approach? Communication happens everywhere—not just in therapy sessions. She coaches families and educators to spot opportunities for language learning in everyday moments: mealtimes, playtime, transitions, routines.

Her goal: Help every child communicate confidently and feel heard.

Ready to support your child's communication journey? Let's chat! 💙

18/07/2026

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17/07/2026

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Hervey Bay, mobile hairdressing services are now available to cater to the needs of our community. If you require in-home hair care, we are here to assist you. Specialising in supporting our neurodiverse population in desensitising the nervous system and overcoming the challenges of sensory sensitivities with hair cutting, supported by strategies from an experienced occupational therapist. Contact us today to see how we can support you. In partnership with Our Place Kids Therapy and Suvash Occupational Therapy.

16/07/2026

Communication looks different for every autistic child. Some children use words, some use gestures, some use pictures or AAC devices. All of these are valid ways of communicating.

If your child isn't talking yet, that doesn't mean they're not communicating. They might be:

👀 Using eye contact or looking away (both are communication!)
🤚 Pointing, reaching, or using gestures
😊 Showing you things they're interested in
🔊 Making sounds or noises that mean something specific
📸 Understanding pictures or symbols

Here's how to support communication:

💬 Talk about what you're doing: Narrate your day. "Now we're having breakfast. You're eating cereal."

🎯 Give them time: Wait for a response. Don't rush to fill the silence.

👂 Listen to their communication style: If your child communicates through sounds, pictures, or movement, honour that. It's their way of talking to you.

🤝 Respond to all attempts: When your child reaches for something, points, or makes a sound, respond as if they've said something important. Because they have.

Every child communicates. Your job is to listen and respond in a way that makes sense to them.

09/07/2026

🗣️ Communication is everywhere!

At Our Place Kids Therapy, we believe speech and language development happens in real life—not just in therapy sessions. That's why Jenny Jennings, Speech and Language Pathologist, works closely with families and educators to build communication into everyday moments.

Whether it's:
🏠 Chat during mealtimes at home
🏫 Turn-taking games at school
🎨 Singing and storytelling together
👥 Playing with friends at the park

Jenny helps families and educators spot opportunities to support communication naturally. No pressure, no worksheets—just real, everyday learning.

This is what transdisciplinary support looks like. Everyone on the team knows how to support your child's communication, so progress happens everywhere, every day.

Want to learn more? Get in touch! 💙

07/07/2026

👋 Meet Jenny Jennings! Wonderment Speech and Language Pathology

Jenny is our Speech and Language Pathologist, and she's a vital part of the Our Place Kids Therapy team. With her expertise in communication and language development, Jenny works alongside Our Place Kids Therapy, through their transdciplinary team to support children's learning and growth.

What makes us different? We work as ONE team with ONE plan for your child. That means Jenny's speech and language strategies are woven into everything—home routines, school activities, playtime—not just in separate therapy sessions.

This is the power of our transdisciplinary approach. Your child gets consistent, connected support from everyone around them.

Ready to learn how our team can support your family? Let's chat! 💙