Special Needs Children

• 50 questions to ask when choosing a school for your child

  Posted May 15, 2012 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Are you considering primary or high school choices for your child? This comprehensive list of questions will give you ideas about what you ask teachers, principals and other parents.

  
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• Sensory Processing - Top Tips to help kids stay calm and concentrate

  Posted April 2, 2012 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker, Dagney Hopp & Ellie Jamieson

  

  Parents and teachers will value this comprehensive free list of activities and resources that can help children to stay calm and concentrate.

  
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• Top 20 Back to School Apps for Kids

  Posted February 17, 2012 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Got an iPad or iPhone but not sure what apps would be best for your child? This great list of 20 Top Apps for kids has been compiled by Kids First's Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists

  
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• Special Needs Success Story

  Posted February 7, 2012 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  This story tells of how one little boy with autism overcame his disability to make a happy start to school life

  
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• My friend's child has autism...how can I help?

  Posted February 6, 2012 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Eight practical tips to help you to support a friend whose child is disagnosed with autism from teacher and Kids First Children's Services Director Sonja Walker

  
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• Giving kids with disabilities a Better Start

  Posted January 11, 2012 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  This introduction to Better Start for Children with a Disability explains how vital funding support for children with special needs makes Early Intervention more affordable for families

  
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• Apps for kids are awesome

  Posted November 4, 2011 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Want to know the best apps to boost kids therapy & learning? This list from Kids First's experts is a great place to start

  
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• Understanding Sensory Integration

  Posted November 1, 2011 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Sensory Processing diffulties cause many children to struggle with behaviour, learning and language. This free Kids First event for parents and teachers will provide information and tips for helping kids to succeed

  
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• Dagney is a Sensory Defender

  Posted October 17, 2011 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Dagney Hopp is an Occupational Therapist who specialises in supporting children with sensory Integration challenges. Dagney uses DIR Floortime methods to unlock kids' potential and help them to connect with their world

  
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• A Better Start for Children with Disability

  Posted August 25, 2011 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Kids First is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Australian Government to provide FAHCSIA funded support to children with disabilities through the Better Start program

  
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• What is Occupational Therapy?

  Posted October 13, 2010 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Many parents have heard of Occupational Therapy, but are not quite sure what this important health service is all about.

  This article explains what Occupational Therapists do and how a paediatric professional can help children to succeed at home and at school.

  
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• Socially Speaking

  Posted September 1, 2010 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Many children with autism and language delays find it hard to be 'social'. All kids need social language skills to make friends and participate in conversations - but sometimes, special needs children need help to learn how to connect with others. In this helpful article, children's Speech Pathologist, Fiona Teudt, explains how parents can help their children to develop social language skills.

  
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• SwimFirst saves a life

  Posted July 22, 2010 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  How important is teaching children to swim?

   

  Vital, according to this mum, whose disabled son's life has been saved because he took part in SwimFirst, a special swimming program for children with additional needs.

   

  Read Luke's real life story here...

  
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• Support for children with Autism

  Posted May 19, 2010 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Children with autism are making huge progress as they enjoy Bright Start, Kids First's Early Intervention program for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays.

   

  This popular and highly successful program helps special needs kids to become more independent and self reliant as they prepare for school.

  
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• Sound Advice

  Posted March 25, 2010 in Special Needs Children by Sonja Walker

  

  Approximately 7 in every 100 Australian children will experience a speech or language delay.  If not addressed early, these problems can impact on a child's overall communication, learning and social development.

   

  Speech Pathologist, Ros Osling is a language and literacy specialist at Kids First.

   

  Her advice about child's speech and language milestones makes compelling reading for every parent.

   

   

  
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