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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Power of Early Assessments for Children: Setting the Stage for Success
As the school year draws nearer, many parents find themselves asking: Is my child ready? Are they receiving the support they need to thrive? These are questions Angela, a senior paediatrician, addresses with a message that’s both practical and encouraging—early assessments can make all the difference. Why Now Is the Right Time Early assessments aren’t […]
How to Recognise Signs of Giftedness in Children
What is Giftedness? Giftedness in children is often misunderstood as simply being exceptionally intelligent, but it goes far beyond academic ability. Gifted children tend to process information differently, think deeply, and may even experience the world in a more intense way. Recognising and understanding giftedness early can help parents and educators provide the right support […]
Embracing the Crunch: How Crunchy Lunchbox Snacks Can Benefit Your Child
As the school year kicks into gear, parents everywhere are dusting off their lunch-packing skills, gearing up for the daily ritual of filling lunch boxes with nutritious goodies. While the thought of assembling countless “Crunch&Sip” boxes might initially induce a sigh, let’s pause to consider the myriad benefits this routine offers beyond just meeting nutritional […]
Harnessing the Power of Exercise Physiology for ADHD and Autism
Living with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can present unique challenges for individuals and their families. While traditional interventions like therapy and medication are widely recognised, there is growing evidence supporting the positive impact of exercise physiology on managing symptoms associated with ADHD and ASD. Our […]
Latest Published Study Explores FASD within the Youth Justice Setting
Patches Australia and The University of Western Australia continue to lead integral research into the impacts of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. A recently published study by Patches Team Member, Psychology Registrar, Grace Tan, supervised by Patches’ CEO, Dr James Fitzpatrick and The University of Western Australia’s Professor Camela Pestell, explored the characteristics, challenges, and offending […]
New study explores link between FASD and adverse childhood experiences
Patches and The University of Western Australia (UWA) deliver impactful FASD research. PhD candidate Grace Tan, UWA Associate Professor Carmela Pestell, and Patches CEO Dr James Fitzpatrick continue their ground-breaking research into the relationship between early childhood trauma and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In their recent study, data was collected from 211 Patches assessment […]
Patches e-Book: We Just Want our Child to be Happy
