TAASC

04/06/2026

✨ TAASC OT Series 2026 is back with its Summer Term! ✨

Our Occupational Therapy programs support children to build confidence, independence, and essential skills for everyday success, including handwriting, self-regulation, sensory processing.

✔ Evidence-based
✔ Age-appropriate groups
✔ Fun, engaging, and supportive

📅 JULY-AUGUST Term now open for registrations:

🧠 Alert Program®: Self-Regulation (ages 7–10)
for more info and to register 👉 https://forms.gle/wTQX8DpM9PioM9mg9

🖍 Handwriting Skills Groups (ages 3–5, 5-7 & 8–10)
for more info and to register 👉 https://forms.gle/3x6qYiuAsi8LZE7QA

For more info on the OT Series 2026 and to register your interest for later terms
👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oCrz2B_ETyxtNlde2QtAn7esSfG73mB_/view?usp=sharing

04/06/2026

This week, members of the TAASC team had the pleasure of participating in Verdala International School's Careers Day.

Our team included a counselling psychologist, health psychologist, occupational therapist and nutritionist, giving students the opportunity to learn about different roles within the health and wellbeing field.

We really enjoyed answering the students’ thoughtful and interesting questions, ranging from what our day-to-day work involves, to course requirements, career pathways, and even how AI is beginning to influence our professions.

It was a lovely opportunity to share our experiences, highlight the value of multidisciplinary work, and hopefully inspire students as they begin to think about their own future paths.

Thank you to Verdala International School for having us.

To learn more about our practitioners:

Occupational Therapist: https://www.taascmalta.com/team-member/ms-sarah-bianco/

Counselling Psychologist: https://www.taascmalta.com/team-member/serena-brincat/

Health Psychologist: https://www.taascmalta.com/team-member/ms-jasmine-borg/

Nutritionist: https://www.taascmalta.com/team-member/diana-azzopardi/

02/06/2026

Join us for our June✨ CPD Café ✨ at TAASC
This month's topic is "Starting with Ourselves: Understanding our sensory needs to better support children and adolescents".

Professionals working with children often focus on identifying and supporting the sensory needs of the child. However, adults also bring their own sensory profiles into every interaction, including individual preferences, sensitivities, thresholds and responses to sensory input. This CPD explores sensory processing from the perspective of the professional, encouraging participants to reflect on how sound, movement, touch, visual input, smell, mess, proximity and internal body cues may influence their comfort, energy, attention and engagement within child-focused settings.

Using an occupational therapy and sensory integration lens, the session will consider how sensory-rich environments such as therapy rooms, classrooms, clinics and home settings can impact both children and the adults supporting them. Participants will be guided to identify their own sensory preferences, sensory triggers and helpful regulating strategies, while also considering how increased sensory self-awareness can support more intentional and sustainable practice.

The session aims to highlight that sensory processing is not only something observed in children with additional needs, but a universal part of human experience. By understanding our own sensory profile, professionals can become more aware of how they respond to sensory demands at work and how this may shape the environments, interactions and supports they provide for children.

🎤 Speaker: Sarah Bianco, Senior Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner
🗓 Wednesday 24th June
⏰ 7:00–8:00pm
📍 TAASC, 3rd Floor, Remedies Clinic, Birkirkara

💶 €10 external participants
🤝 Free for TAASC Associates

Join us for an engaging and insightful CPD session.
Limited places available.
👉 Register here → https://forms.gle/SADyMAdwa71qctwd8

01/06/2026

✨ Highlights from CPD Café at TAASC ✨

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this month’s CPD Café session on “The Pathway from Childhood Victimisation to Crime (A Grounded Theory Approach).”

A thought-provoking presentation by Deborah Francalanza, who shared findings from her research exploring the relationship between childhood victimisation and criminal behaviour.

Drawing on in-depth interviews with convicted offenders, the study provides valuable insight into how experiences of childhood trauma can have enduring consequences across multiple areas of life and may contribute to pathways into offending behaviour.

The research highlights the complex and lasting impact of adverse childhood experiences, while underscoring the importance of adopting trauma-informed practices within Malta’s criminal justice system.

Thank you to Deborah for sharing this important work and contributing to an engaging discussion on the role of trauma-informed approaches in shaping a more responsive and compassionate justice system.

Stay tuned for our next CPD Café! ☕

30/05/2026

Yesterday, our Occupational Therapist, Sarah, and Speech and Language Therapist, Christina, delivered a training session to childcare educators during their team-building activity, focusing on understanding challenging behaviour through a developmental, communication and regulation lens.

Together, they explored the idea that behaviour is often a form of communication, especially for children who may not yet have the language, skills, or regulation strategies to express what they need.

The session brought together perspectives on sensory processing, emotional regulation, communication, interaction and the everyday demands placed on young children.

A big emphasis was placed on moving away from simply asking “How do we stop this behaviour?” and instead reflecting on:

- What is this child trying to tell us?
- What might be overwhelming them?
- What skills are still developing?
- How can we adapt the environment, our expectations and our responses?

It was lovely to see educators engaging, reflecting and sharing their experiences so openly. Supporting children begins with supporting the adults around them, and training like this helps build more understanding, responsive and inclusive childcare environments.

A big thank you to the team for welcoming us as part of their day. 🌿

30/05/2026

We were so happy to support Bee Smart at their staff day. OT Sarah Bianco and SLP Christina Chetcuti gave a fantastic training. Thanks to Bee Smart for trusting us with this…

26/05/2026

🌍🧠 Does your child know both Maltese and English?

One of our Psychology assistants is carrying out a study as part of her masters dissertations.

This study is looking for children aged 8–10 to take part in a fun activity to explore how bilingualism may influence thinking skills!

🎲Fun games & puzzles
✨Child-friendly environment
📑Contribute to important research

More details in the poster below!

Scan the QR code or click the link below to sign up: https://forms.gle/uQfAju1ZwhSivCo88

@ Micallef Mattocks

25/05/2026

🌿 In today’s fast paced world, self care isn’t just about treats. It’s about protecting your mental well being too.

Pause for a moment and explore simple, gentle stress management habits you can add to your daily routine. Small changes can make a big difference.

Your mind deserves care, attention, and kindness every day 💚

Mindfulness DailyHabits

25/05/2026

LAST FEW DAYS to register for our May✨ CPD Café ✨ at TAASC
"The Pathway from Childhood Victimisation to Crime (A Grounded Theory Approach)"

The link between childhood victimisation and criminal behaviour has been widely documented in research. In this talk, Forensic Psychology Practitioner Deborah Francalanza will present her qualitative study, grounded in Grounded Theory methodology, exploring this relationship within the Maltese context. Through in-depth interviews with convicted offenders, the study sheds light on how childhood trauma can have long-lasting effects across multiple areas of life and contribute to offending behaviour. The findings highlight the urgent need for Trauma-Informed Practices within Malta’s Criminal Justice System.

🎤 Speaker: Deborah Francalanza, Forensic Psychology Practitioner
🗓 Wednesday 27th May
⏰ 7:00–8:00pm
📍 TAASC, 3rd Floor, Remedies Clinic, Birkirkara

💶 €10 external participants
🤝 Free for TAASC Associates

Join us for an engaging and insightful CPD session.
Limited places available.
👉 Register here → https://forms.gle/yWE6QEjB4Z15edtz8

23/05/2026

What an amazing morning. Our occupational therapist Ms Sarah Bianco delivered a fantastic potty training session to the parents at Mini Mike Child Care centre on behalf of TAASC.

We love meeting families and supporting child care centres.

✨️This morning we held an interesting and informative Potty Training Session for both parents and staff.

It was a great opportunity to share practical advice, discuss common challenges, and learn useful strategies to support children through this important developmental milestone.

A special thank you to Ms Sarah Bianco for delivering such an engaging and valuable session and to everyone who attended and participated. We appreciate your time and involvement and look forward to continuing to support our children and families together 💙