Play Pod Paediatric Therapy

Get to know Play Pod Paediatric Therapy

From Play Pod Paediatric Therapy's website.

• Our approach

  Each session is built around understanding your child's daily occupations—the activities they need and want to do, from play and learning to self-care and relationships. The therapist works in partnership with you to establish shared goals and tailors evidence-based, goal-directed interventions to fit naturally into your family's routines. Parental inclusion, education and empowerment are central to the approach, with sessions available in your home, community settings, or at the clinic in Tallai. For babies, parent coaching helps you learn how to set up the home environment and incorporate active learning strategies into everyday activities. The focus is always on helping your child play, learn and thrive within the context of your family life.

• Working with families

  Your involvement is fundamental to the therapy approach. The therapist works in partnership with you throughout, starting with establishing shared goals and maintaining ongoing communication about what's working for your family. For babies and young children, parent education and coaching are central, with the therapist teaching you how to incorporate active learning strategies into your child's everyday routines and home environment. When your child attends kindergarten, childcare or school, the therapist collaborates with educators to support inclusion and continuity of care. All interventions are tailored to fit your family's routines and lifestyle.

• Meet the team

  Sarah Thornton is the paediatric occupational therapist at Play Pod, bringing over 20 years of clinical experience working with children. She holds current registration with The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and has specialist experience supporting children with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury through her work with Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at Queensland Children's Hospital. Sarah has also worked as a research occupational therapist providing early intervention for babies at high risk or with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and enjoys supporting transitions into early childhood settings in collaboration with educators.