World Autism Awareness Day – April 2nd
Every year on April 2nd, the world observes World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). This day is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). WAAD is an internationally recognised UN day of observance, officially designated in 2007, and marks the beginning of World Autism Month in April. WAAD, also known as World […]
Patches Integrated Health: New Name, Same Care
We are excited to share an update that reflects the growth and evolution of our organisation. For many years, clients, families, and communities have known us simply as Patches or Patches Australia. As our services have expanded and our multidisciplinary teams have grown, our work has become increasingly connected, collaborative, and holistic. Our new name, […]
What is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026
Neurodiversity recognises that there is no single “normal” way to think, learn, communicate or experience the world. This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16th-22nd March) and here at Patches we are celebrating different minds. What is Neurodiversity? Every mind works differently. Some people think visually, some process information through patterns, while others approach problems with […]
NDIS Alternative ‘Thriving Kids’ Model Explained
This week, the federal government released its model for its Thriving Kids program. Announced in August 2025, the Thriving Kids program is an alternative to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for some children. Under these changes, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will be […]
Hydrotherapy and its Benefits
Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy performed in water. The buoyancy, resistance and temperature of water are ideal for therapy, allowing easier movement and less strain on the body. Hydrotherapy can be a great low-impact activity for those who live with pain, have weakness or low fitness, or cannot safely perform traditional resistance training […]
Back to School: Neurodivergent Friendly Tips to Prepare Your Child
Back to school can be an exciting time for children but can also be overwhelming. New routines, new teachers and new classmates can cause a mix of emotions, especially for children who are neurodivergent or experience anxiety. Here are some back to school tips to make the transition smoother and help set your child up […]
Exercise Physiology for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder. It is the second most common neurological disease in Australia, after dementia, affecting over 150,000 people. Exercise is crucial in Parkinson’s Disease management. Not only does it help reduce both motor and non-motor symptoms of the disease, but there is also increasing evidence to show that […]
More Than Just “Late Bloomers”: Early Signs of Communication Delay Every Parent Should Know
“He’ll talk when he’s ready.” “She’s just the quiet type.” For generations, well-meaning friends and family have reassured worried parents with phrases like these. While children do indeed develop at their own pace, the “wait and see” approach can sometimes delay crucial support for children with speech and language difficulties (Buschmann et al., 2008). Communication […]
From “Deficit” to “Difference”: Recognising Early Signs of Autism Through a Modern Lens
In 1943, child psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a paper describing 11 children who shared a “powerful desire for aloneness” and an “anxious obsessive desire for the maintenance of sameness” (Kanner, 1943). For decades, this condition, now known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), was viewed strictly through a medical lens as a set of deficits to […]
Who Can Benefit from Occupational Therapy?
27th October to 2nd November is 2025 OT Week , as celebrated by the Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA). This year’s theme is “Occupational Therapy in Action”. Here at Patches, we love to celebrate our occupational therapists, who work within our multidisciplinary team to provide high quality therapy for our clients. What is occupational therapy? Occupational […]
An ‘Invisible Disability’: Why FASD Often Goes Undetected or Misdiagnosed
This week (19th – 25th October) is Invisible Disabilities week. This week aims to shine a light on conditions and disabilities you can’t always see – including neurological, cognitive, mental health, chronic, autoimmune, and sensory conditions. Around 80% of disabilities are invisible, one of which is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is a lifelong […]
Treating Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain with Exercise Physiology
Exercise is not just for fitness. It is one of the most powerful ways to reduce pain and boost your body’s strength. Whether it’s chronic joint pain, low back issues, or osteoarthritis, research shows that regular, structured exercise can benefit by: Even short, consistent sessions like 30 minutes a few times a week can make […]
Living With Chronic Pain? How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the expected healing time of an injury or illness, generally for more than 3 months. Chronic pain is a complex condition; it differs from acute pain, which develops quickly and typically doesn’t last long. Everyone experiences chronic pain differently. Common causes include injury, chronic health conditions and illnesses, […]
ADHD vs Autism: Recognising the Similarities and Differences
ADHD and autism have many overlapping traits, around executive functioning, social challenges and sensory processing. ADHD and autism face shared psycho-social risks, including co-occurring mental health conditions, addiction, self-harm and victimisation. They also often share diverse social identities, experiencing higher rates of genderqueerness and non-heterosexual orientations compared to neurotypicals. Despite their similarities, ADHD and autism […]
Stuttering in Children
Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the normal flow of speech. This condition presents as repetitions, prolongations in sounds, syllables, or words, and blocks (when no sound comes out for a period of time). Children may also present with physical symptoms such as blinking or head or body movements when trying to talk. There […]
Time’s Up! How Alarm Clocks Can Help with Time Management for Children with ADHD
Time management can be particularly challenging for children with ADHD, as they often struggle with staying focused, managing their attention, and transitioning between tasks. However, implementing simple strategies, such as using clocks and alarms, can significantly help parents and children manage daily routines, especially when getting ready for school. Why Time Management is a Struggle […]