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

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: