Maybe it's the daily battle over socks. Or the child who spins until they're dizzy, covers their ears in the supermarket, or gags at anything green. If you're searching for answers at 11pm, take a breath you're not alone, and there are practical, respectful ways forward. What "sensory processing" actually means Every one of us takes in the world through our senses — not just the big five (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch), but also: proprioception — our sense of body positi

A dog in a therapy session might sound like a gimmick. It isn't. When a trained therapy animal is deliberately integrated into occupational therapy by a qualified therapist, it becomes what clinicians call a co-therapist, a partner that helps children and young adults reach goals in ways that humans alone sometimes can't. At Planet Ability in Warrandyte, our animal team includes certified therapy dogs and miniature donkeys, and sheep they're part of a considered clinical fram

If your child or young person is an NDIS participant or about to become one you've probably heard the phrase functional capacity assessment, or its shorthand, FCA. It comes up at plan meetings, in emails from support coordinators, and on every therapy provider's website. And yet it's rarely explained in plain English. This guide covers what a functional capacity assessment actually is, why the NDIS may ask for one, what's involved, and what it costs, so you can walk into the

Preparing a child for primary school (Prep/Kindergarten) is rarely about abc's or counting to 10. From an Occupational Therapy (OT) perspective, true readiness is about functional capacity, how a child navigates physical environments, manages daily routines, regulates their emotions, connects with peers, and communicates their needs. These skills are not mandatory prerequisites or tests a child must "pass" to start school. Rather, screening these areas helps parents and the

You may know your child deeply, understand what helps them feel safe and ready to learn, and still may feel unsure about how to explain this to teachers, wellbeing staff or school leaders. You do not need to arrive with perfect words or a complete plan. A helpful school conversation is not about proving that your child deserves support. It is about building a bridge between home and school. As a neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy practice, we believe every person h

Choosing the right occupational therapist is key to helping your family thrive. An occupational therapist acts as a bridge between current challenges and future independence. At Planet Ability in Warrandyte, every occupational therapist on our team provides neurodiversity-affirming support for children, teens, and young adults (ages 2 to 35). Most importantly, an occupational therapist does not try to change a person we adapt environments and builds practical strategies for e

Puberty is a chaotic, exciting, and confusing time for any young person. Hormones fluctuate, body awareness shifts, and physical development accelerates. But when a young person is neurodivergent, such as Autistic individuals or those with ADHD, puberty can bring unique sensory and behavioural challenges that catch families off guard. One topic that frequently comes up in Occupational Therapy, yet remains widely unspoken in public, is increased self-exploration and masturbati

At Planet Ability, we don't just talk about neurodiversity; we live it. Our team is led by clinicians with lived experience who understand the complexities of navigating a world that wasn't built for our brains. We’ve seen the shift toward neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy (ND-affirming OT), and while the intention is wonderful, the implementation can sometimes miss the mark. Transitioning from a traditional "medical model": which often focuses on fixing deficits:

At Planet Ability, we are constantly looking for ways to deepen the sense of safety, connection, and regulation for our participants. We believe that therapy shouldn't just happen within four walls; it should happen everywhere (nearly). That’s why we are absolutely thrilled to announce the newest expansion of our team. While you may already know our professional therapy dogs, Gucci, Gigi and Na-Na, we are now introducing a different kind of support: Miniature Donkeys. These g

At Planet Ability, we don’t just work in the world of neurodivergence: we live in it. When you walk through the doors of our Warrandyte clinic, you’re not just meeting clinicians with degrees and clinical hours. You’re meeting people who understand the internal feeling of sensory overwhelm, the intricate dance of executive functioning, and the profound importance of finding a space where you can truly be yourself. Today, we want to introduce you to the two humans (and one ver

At Planet Ability, we know that for many of our families, the day doesn't start with a gentle alarm and a slow cup of coffee. It often starts with a high-stakes negotiation over socks or a desperate search for a school form. We’ve also lived through the other end of the day: the 3:30 pm meltdown, the executive function "cliff," and the sheer exhaustion of masking through a six-hour school day. When we designed our practice on our beautiful 2.5-acre property in Warrandyte, we

For many neurodivergent teens and young adults, the traditional "clinical" environment can feel like a barrier. The bright fluorescent lights, the small, windowless rooms, and the pressure of sitting face-to-face across a desk can send the nervous system into high alert. At Planet Ability, we know that when the environment doesn't fit the person, everything else becomes infinitely harder to navigate. That’s why we’ve built something different. Based on a beautiful 2.5-acre na

When families or participants first look into Planet Ability, one of the most common questions we get is: "Why such a broad age range? How can an occupational therapy clinic support both a 2-year-old toddler and a 35-year-old adult?" It is a great question. Traditional therapy spaces often separate people into strict categories—you’re either a paediatric clinic focused entirely on play, or an adult clinic that skips the lighthearted play side of OT. At Planet Ability, we don

If you’ve visited Planet Ability, you’ve likely seen one of our hardest-working team members. They have four legs, wet noses, and an incredible knack for helping people feel completely understood. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is far more than just having a friendly dog in the clinic room; it is a powerful, evidence-based modality. When integrated into occupational therapy, a trained therapy dog acts as a co-therapist, helping clients reach their goals in ways humans sometime