NAPA Centre in Lane Cove | Physical therapist

NAPA Centre

Locality: Lane Cove

Phone: (02) 9420 5080

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• Medical and health
• Speech pathologist
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist

25.01.2022 Congratulations Callen! Our NAPA superstar of the week This trooper has just finished his very first intensive at NAPA and absolutely crushed it. In speech, hes been using his switch to sing parts of songs Callens been loving crawling, learning to push through his arms and turn on his obliques to help in sitting up and rolling. Hes initiating and even starting to take some independent steps in a walker, and is standing so well without his legs wraps! Callen stood for ...2.5 minutes with minimal assistance only at his knees and arms!! This is only the beginning of this little mans journey. Were so excited for all his achievements to come!! See you soon, Cal! Keep reaching for the stars and smashing all your goals

25.01.2022 We’re on our Christmas break but if you need to contact us, please send an email to [email protected] ! Rest up, take it easy and we'll see you on January 4th!

25.01.2022 This September, we are celebrating the anniversary of the release of the amazing book 'Special' by hosting a very special online discussion with its author Melanie Dimmitt. Join like-minded parents sharing their stories in this special online discussion. Tuesday 29th September @ 7pm. Details and registration link: https://bit.ly/3ausBr6

24.01.2022 Our first NAPA Nights event for 2021 could literally save lives! It will be a 90 minute course on first aid and CPR essentials for parents held at NAPA Centre on Feb 9th and best of all, it’s free for our NAPA families! For full details or to register for tickets, click https://bit.ly/2KDPNue

24.01.2022 Today the world becomes a better place, with the opening of NAPAs fourth clinic in Austin, Texas. We already know that clinic number 5 will be in Melbourne but where o where will we head next?

24.01.2022 Congratulations to our NAPA superstar of the week, George! George comes to NAPA with a smile on his face every day, ready to work hard and be consumed by cuddles from his therapists. He is two weeks into his first intensive and his walking has already improved so much! Hes taking more than 20 steps all by himself and even walking up the inclined treadmill. Hes weight bearing through his leftie arm all by himself (he started needing maximal assistance) and using his leftie hand to hold on an pull so well! George is tackling crawling across all the crash mats and crazy obstacles to reach the infamous NAPA swing, and is so close to standing up from the floor all on his own. His independence and confidence is soaring and were so so so excited to see what achievements the next week holds. Go George Go!!

24.01.2022 They’re here! We are super excited to welcome two incredible additions to our team! These Galileo vibration plates are the very best in the world and we are so happy to be one of the only clinics in Australia to be able to incorporate the Galileo’s into our therapy sessions! Our team were comprehensively trained in their use and they are ready to go! To read more about vibration therapy click here -> https://bit.ly/3ftVINW

24.01.2022 Ahmed is our Napa superstar of the week! Ahmed has been standing tall with his new and improved shoes, going up the stairs all by himself, walking in his crocodile walker with the small handlebars and showing his balance skills while standing on the tilt board and throwing bean bags. He has also been climbing up mountains with less support and more power. We also cannot forget how high you flew off the crash mat and how you made burgers for everyone at Napa. Keep on shining like the superstar you are Ahmed. We are all so proud of you!

23.01.2022 Have to say we are a little excited about this one. Our next NAPA Nights event is focused on sleep and settling techniques for 0-5 year olds, with a focus on kids with special needs or disabilities. It will be an online session led by Mandy Hose from ‘Mandy Hose.She Knows’ and ‘Too Peas in a Podcast’. Tuesday 10th November @7pm. More details and free tickets available here -> https://bit.ly/2SGj1cI

23.01.2022 Today is World MCT8-AHDS Awareness day and we would like to shed some light on this very rare genetic condition. MCT8 deficiency (aka Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome) is a neurological condition that affects children’s mobility, cognition and general health. MCT8 is the protein responsible for the transportation of thyroid hormones to the brain. A lack of thyroid hormones in the brain during early childhood is associated with mental delay. Common symptoms also include lack of... head control and generalised muscle weakness (hypotonia). Although these symptoms are not life threatening, associated complications may be. The inability to perform simple movements like turning their head in their sleep may prove fatal. There are 320 cases documented in the world all in boys, however girls can carry the mutation without presenting any symptoms. The MCT8-AHDS Foundation is made up of a group of passionate parents who commit their time and effort to bring awareness and raise the quality of life of #braveboys like little M. This special day is a day to help spread awareness of this rare condition and #breakthebarrier to find a cure and/or treatment for MCT8 deficiency. Please help support our #braveboys by sharing this post and checking out their cool shirt campaign! https://bit.ly/2F8gxR0

23.01.2022 Sit ups to get out of bed can be tricky at the best of times but look at Miss Jenny and Alice putting Krystal to work! There are many ways to vary the difficulty of sit ups: lying on an inclined wedge will make the movement shorter and easier, while lying on a declined surface will make the movement a lot more difficult as there is more range to move through. The slower the movement, the more muscles recruited, the stronger the muscles will become!

22.01.2022 Looking for something to do for the next two weeks? We have a last minute intensive (2 week only) starting Monday 1st Feb that has just become available starting from 9am and featuring speech, Physio, OT or Neurosuit. This won't last so if interested please email us at [email protected] now!!!

22.01.2022 My kid only eats (insert preferred food item here.) The good news is, family meals should always include at least one food that you know your child will eat. Make the focus of each meal more about exposing your child to non-preferred foods while still supporting the volume of consumption through preferred foods. We suggest taking the pressure totally off your child at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. What we really are saying is make it coconut, with a side of spaghetti.

22.01.2022 Applications for Intensive grants through the Steve Waugh Foundation are open! Love your work SWF!!!

22.01.2022 Top tip for NAPA Registration: If you are unsure of the ideal schedule for your child or would prefer to leave it to the experts, select Therapist Recommended Program on the registration form and we will do the work for you!

22.01.2022 Public service announcement: just in case you were wondering.

21.01.2022 We all deserve a reward after making it through this crazy year! But after our kids have worked so hard, accomplishing new goals and learning new skills, they d...eserve an even more special reward. Here are five fresh and resourceful reward ideas for kids to let your little ones know just how awesome they are. - a super secret high five (get creative!) - breakfast for dinner - hit up the dollar store (exciting and cheap!) - iPad time - a grand gesture (a day out or in inspired by what your child loves most) See more

21.01.2022 Heads up Opals Basketball Australia, there’s a future basketball star in the making at NAPA Sydney

21.01.2022 Sit ups to get out of bed can be tricky at the best of times but look at Miss Jenny and Alice putting Krystal to work! There are many ways to vary the difficulty of sit ups: lying on an inclined wedge will make the movement shorter and easier, while lying on a declined surface will make the movement a lot more difficult as there is more range to move through. The slower the movement, the more muscles recruited, the stronger the muscles will become!

20.01.2022 Know someone who fits this bill? We are searching for a special NAPA HR Specialist to help us grow in Australia! Apply here -> https://www.seek.com.au/job/50589158

20.01.2022 Sorry guys...site has momentarily crashed due to the website traffic!!!! Please look at this post for updates

20.01.2022 Turn your bedtime routine upside down in 2021. Routines create a comfortable and predictable environment where your child's sleep can thrive. Some things you can add in to help with relaxation are a cool dark room with a fan or some white noise. You can also add an essential oil diffuser with lavender, vetiver, copaiba, or ylang ylang. The key to sleep routines is consistency. Make sure your routine is not to complicated so you can stick with it! Here are some sample sleep ro...utines. Make them your own and adapt them to your families needs. #NewYearNewRoutine SAMPLE 1: -Dinner -30 min of time with toys. -brush teeth -bath -story time -snuggles -lights out SAMPLE 2: -Dinner -brushing and joint compressions -outside time/inside gross motor play -bath -brush teeth -story time -lights out

20.01.2022 Registration announcement: Dont stress about the 2021 registration page being password protected! This will automatically unlock at 10am to give you access! Just refresh at 10am AEST for access!

20.01.2022 Congratulations to a little NAPA legend, Miss Roxy!! Our superstar of the week Roxy has flown through her 7th intensive on magic carpets, flying discs and Jess’ magic palms The control she has gained over her body has blown all of us away. She sat for 110 seconds all by herself!! And she’s so close to pulling to stand all on her own She’ll be getting up to even more mischief in no time. Roxy has shown us how clever she is by pulling ropes, moving between positions and holding on tight while flying on the swing We cannot wait to see all the goals she will smash in 2021! We are so grateful and honoured to be on this journey with you, Rox. Keep up the hard work, and we’ll continue to be your partner in Bachata, be your Frozen jukebox and the glad receiver of all the Roxy cuddles.

20.01.2022 Using a switch is a great way to combine cause and effect with functional hand use. This 'step by step' switch allows for voice recording. When recording the word 'more' we were able to encourage joint attention and incorporate use of hands in a functional way. We loved using this switch when playing movement games such as bouncing in the swing or on the ball!

19.01.2022 Haavvee you met Joe? Job title: Physiotherapist aka Mr Stinky What do you love about your job?... Getting to work in an amazing industry with some incredible kids and their families. It's a challenging but equally rewarding job and it's all worth it thanks to the exceptional team that we have, it's like a tight-knit family with plenty of banter to get you through the tough days as well as the good ones. Hobbies outside of work: AFL Soccer (YNWA) Heading back home to see my girlfriend, family and mates Going for a run (walk) Binge watching TV shows Coffee A couple of sneaky Denzel Frothington’s after work Fun facts about me: I spent 2 vintage seasons in 2017 & 2018 as a Cellar Hand working at Mount Pleasant Winery in the Hunter Valley, where we made 5 state award winning wines - you're welcome. During the COVID shutdown I won Basketball Australia's "Homecourt Challenge" on Instagram for the best trickshot video, and will happily show anyone my compilation of trickshots to boost my own ego. Funniest NAPA moment: Back on my student placement in my final year of Uni, I was working with Jess & Georgia Conn in the cage while Lou watched on. We were practicing some jumping with G in the cage, so Jess asked if I wanted to have a go holding G and jumping with her. Naturally I said yes, so I eagerly subbed in, ready to show how good I was at being a physio. I asked Jess if she actually jumped with G or just lifting her up. Jess assured me that she definitely jumped with her. So I bent my knees and counted down "3... 2... 1..." then jumped - and whacked my head straight into the top of the cage! G kicked out in a huuuuge fit of laughter, Lou was doubled over in hysterics and Jess had dropped to the floor crying with laughter, while I held G up and was dealing with a mild concussion. Eventually Jess managed to pick herself up off the floor and said "well, I guess I don't actually jump with her then".

19.01.2022 Got a question about our new Melbourne clinic? Fire away and we will do our best to get you an answer...pronto! #napamelbourne

18.01.2022 We thank you for your patience while we process Australian and NZ intensive registrations for 2021! Place offers have started going out and we hope to have emailed everyone by the end of this week. #2021registrations

18.01.2022 HAPPY NEW YEAR to our incredible NAPA families! We thank you for sticking by us this last year - your support throughout COVID meant that not only were we able to hold onto every one of these amazing therapists and team members, we were also able to grow the team so that in 2021, we will be able to see more kids than ever before! Bring on 2021!

17.01.2022 Registration for all of our 2021 Australian intensives kick off this THURSDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER at 10am AEST (Sydney time). Please remember to adjust your timings if you are in another state or overseas!!! #intensivetherapy #2021registration

17.01.2022 Sending to all our amazing NAPA dads and grandads on this special day!!!

16.01.2022 If you can spare some change to help support the Prader-Willi Research Foundation’s major fundraiser for the year!

16.01.2022 It’s Thanksgiving NAPA Sydney Style! We know that this holiday belongs to our US friends but we have so much to also be thankful for so this year we gave Thanksgiving a red hot go as well! #thanksgiving2020

16.01.2022 Launching into the long weekend like

15.01.2022 Wagon pulls are a great way to strengthen the core and upper limb muscles but also to work on your childs bilateral coordination, their ability to bring hands to midline and their grasp . This activity is also a fun way to challenge sitting balance. Make the activity fun by putting their favourite toys inside and it can be a lucky dip! Or even puzzle pieces! If you dont have a wagon at home you can use a cardboard box or your laundry basket with a rope or dressing gown cord attached. Make the activity more challenging by adding more weight in the vessel. You can also challenge sitting balance by getting your child to sit on a squishy cushion while theyre pulling or have their feet not touching the ground.

15.01.2022 Here’s our ‘Fantastic Four’ therapists who have arrived from Melbourne and have started with us ahead of our new clinic opening in September! They are all doing their own NAPA Intensives right now so we’re sure they will be exhausted!!! Please join us in welcoming Lisa (OT), Aparna (Physio), Anneka (Physio) and Elly (Speech) to the NAPA Family!!!

15.01.2022 Where would we be without these amazing humans?!? Cheers to all our NAPA Physios (all 12 of them!!!) and all the amazing physios across the world working with kids!!! #worldphysioday

15.01.2022 As 2020 draws to a close, we wanted to thank you, our amazing NAPA family for all that you do for us! Thank you for trusting us with your children’s development and growth, thank you for sharing the laughs and the tears, and thank you for taking part in our crazy sessions, for dressing up, for acting like a clown on cue and for the endless treats and yummy food you bring along to our end of intensive parties!!!

15.01.2022 We you for all that you do, and especially those that bring you along to NAPA! #happygrandparentsday

15.01.2022 Youve seen him in the clinic for months, and now hes here to stay! Please welcome Daniel to NAPA, joining us today as our latest Physiotherapist! Born and raised in California, we are super lucky to have his skills in the clinic and he cant wait to get started!!!

15.01.2022 We just love this picture of miss Avalon getting a cuddle from our new OT Chloe. A special moment

14.01.2022 ONLY FOUR WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

14.01.2022 Happy Allied Health Professionals Day! Today is a day to celebrate our loving therapists for all the energy, passion and love they bring to every single session. Our team has grown so much since this pre-pandemic snap which means even more loving.. yay! NAPA receives so much love from our families each and everyday, and it’s all thanks to these wonderful human beings who make our family whole Thank you for all that you do, our wonderful therapists! We couldn’t achieve all the amazing goals we conquer day in and out, without you!!

14.01.2022 Thursday 3rd is NAPA Registration day! You can register for all our 2021 Sydney intensives, as well as our new Melbourne clinic and Gold Coast and Auckland pop ups! Registration opens at 10am AEST via www.napacentre.com.au

14.01.2022 They see him cruisin Cruising is a great functional exercise that allows children to learn how to explore their environment if they are not quite confident with walking yet. It challenges upper and lower limb coordination and motor planning, single limb balance and pelvic stability, lower limb strength and shoulder girdle stability, among many other things. We like to repeat the pattern "shift onto leftie, big step with rightie, rightie hand, leftie hand, shift onto right...ie, big step with leftie" when heading to the right. Cruising can be done along the couch, around the coffee table, along some bars or even up against the wall if you want a real challenge!

14.01.2022 The infamous sit to stand! Today were breaking down this little movement that forms part of many a childs treatment plan. Its arguably one of the most functional exercises (think about how many times you personally do it each day), engaging most lower limb and core muscles while also challenging coordination and motor planning. There are many variations to make the exercise easier or trickier, but the general movement involves the cues "hands on knees" to prevent pushing through their arms on the chair, "nose over toes" to encourage forward weight shift of their body, followed by "stand up" for complete trunk and lower limb extension.

14.01.2022 Its Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome Awareness Day today! Pitt-Hopkins is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the TCF4 gene on the 18th chromosome. This gene plays an essential role in the development of the nervous system and the brain. There is currently no cure for Pitt Hopkins but therapeutic input can make a large difference in their motor and communication skills as repetition is necessary to build their neuro pathways. ... #beyondawareness is the hashtag used to strive for more than just awareness. We would like to shine some light on the ongoing research including a current clinical trial, gene therapy, stem cell research and the re-purposing of FDA approved medication. The Pitt-Hopkins Research Foundation need your support to fund this ongoing research, so please feel free to support this worthy cause. Here is Yasmin and her family celebrating Pitt-Hopkins Awareness Day. Yas is smashing all her goals during her very first NAPA intensive and were so excited to see whats to come! https://pitthopkins.org/donate

13.01.2022 Toilet training: 5 indicators that may signal your child is ready to ditch the nappies. Experiences discomfort or acknowledges when soiled Stays dry for 2 hours at a time Can get on the toilet, stay on the toilet, and can get off the toilet (all with or without supports as necessary) Shows an interest in watching and imitating others’ bathroom related actions ... Expresses the need to go (verbally or non-verbally) before it happens Reward children for their participation with lots of praise. Remember that accidents are part of the learning process! See more

13.01.2022 The latest issue of Travel Without Limits magazine has landed! Travel Without Limits launched last year with the aim to make travel dreams a reality for people of all needs and abilities. This issue is their biggest yet, jam-packed with travel tips, advice, and recommendations for people living with a disability and this issue includes some great COVID safe options. Look out for our NAPA feature in the pages as well! The magazine is available to purchase via their website: travelwithoutlimits.com.au

13.01.2022 Just in case you tried contacting us over the weekend. Our emails were down so if you are interested in a last minute intensive starting next week, please let us know!

13.01.2022 Weve got you covered for registration this morning. How many of these can you fit in before 10:00am?!? #intensiveregistration

13.01.2022 We have sent out all first round 2021 intensive offers for our SYDNEY clinic ONLY. Please note, we have not yet completed our MELBOURNE clinic offers or our POP UP clinics. These will be sent next week, followed by waitlist confirmations for everyone else. Please also note that we will not be sending out offers for the one week intensives until a few months prior to their start date. We thank you for your patience!!! #intensiveregistration

13.01.2022 Ali is not just a talented OT, but she has also taught herself how to make switch adapted toys! Here is the new Christmas ones she has just made for our NAPA Clinic for our kids to enjoy in December! We will be hosting a training session in early 2021 where you can learn to switch adapt your own toys! Stay tuned for more information...

12.01.2022 Congratulations to our NAPA Superstar of the week, Minaa! Minaa has been making amazing long sentences this intensive, especially when she’s playing her favourite game in Speech, the Dr Panda game. We have also loved hearing her tricky ‘sh’ and ‘ch’ sounds Minaa has been working super hard in her Neurosuit and her bottom muscles are becoming so strong! She can tall kneel for 10 seconds all by herself and is becoming so confident with weight shifting onto each leg on the ...wobbly tilt board and onto a big step with her side step-ups. She’s also starting to zoom around in her new walker and has quickly learnt how to transfer from the walker into a chair all on her own! Her school teachers are going to be so impressed with how much she can now do by herself! Keep working hard, Minaa! We love seeing you try your best everyday, and all with a smile on your face (with the occasional little frown). You’re doing so well and we can’t wait to see what this final week brings!

12.01.2022 We have a last minute 2 hour intensive spot starting this Monday 28th September through until Friday 16th October. It is a Neurosuit slot, with both an OT and Physio and is from 10am - 12pm daily. Be quick to email [email protected] if interested. #lastminuteintensive

11.01.2022 That’s a wrap! We have just finished our biggest ever year of NAPA but we are already looking forward to welcoming you back in 2021 when our clinic reopens on the 4th January! For any enquiries between now and then please email us on [email protected]

11.01.2022 Hey therapists! We are searching for our next superstars to join our NAPA family! We have full time positions available in our busy Sydney clinic and are also looking for people south of the border for the opening of NAPA Melbourne in 2021! To have a confidential discussion, please email [email protected]

11.01.2022 We are devastated to announce that on Monday, we lost one of our brightest lights, Miss Courtney Jones, who unexpectedly passed away. Courtney was a dedicated, talented and devoted Occupational Therapist who lit up every room that she walked into and delivered her therapy with incredible energy, a beaming smile and booming laugh. The NAPA community was blessed to have the time that we shared with Courtney and will miss this truly superb human being. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jones family at this incredibly sad time. XXXXX

11.01.2022 Super proud of one of our amazing NAPA kids- Miss Avalon who has just gone live on the new Barbie Ad! Just like the ad says, Avalon, you are changing the world! Check out Avalon by clicking the link- she’s the one playing with the Barbie on the verandah! Go Avalon!

11.01.2022 What a morning! We would like to sincerely apologise for the website crashing this morning. As our NAPA family grows, so to does the stress of registration and this morning, our website just couldnt handle you all! Its our fault and we are truly sorry for making your morning more stressful than it needed to be. We are also happy to lay a little of the blame on 2020! We are super excited that we were able to get another solution up and running and now have the crazy task of... sorting through the record number of registrations! We can assure you that no registrations were received prior to the 11am update so it truly was a reset, just an hour later!!! We appreciate each and every one of our NAPA families and and will do our absolute best to fit in as many of your children as possible. We will be in touch within the next two weeks to advise if you have been successful in getting an intensive space. For those still looking to register, please check out www.napacentre.com.au/2021-registration/ Thank you for your patience and kindness during this time. Remember that with our bigger Sydney clinic, new Melbourne clinic and our two pop ups, there will be more intensive spots on offer than ever before...so hopefully some good news is on its way!!! From your loving NAPA team XXXX

10.01.2022 Update: new registration time will be at 11.00am AEST and will be via a new link that we will post here on this Facebook page. Apologies again. Please minimise comments.

10.01.2022 On Friday we farewelled our beloved therapist Jess as she prepares for her new journey into motherhood! Thank you Jess for 3 years of making a difference in so many NAPA kids lives! We can’t wait to meet your little bundle of joy!

09.01.2022 Teaching and talking about size and colour concepts helps children learn about the concepts ‘same, different, and similar.' These language concepts are imperative for understanding and using comparisons for describing and explaining skills! For example, the tiger is bigger than the cat. The cat is grey and the tiger has spots! Using descriptive vocabulary helps children use their visual literacy skills for heightened imagination and storytelling.

09.01.2022 An amazing book written by an amazing author, and next Tuesday night, Melanie Dimmitt will be joining us for a special online discussion about the book and sharing some of the amazing stories of parents who went through the journey of receiving (or not receiving) a diagnosis for their child. Join us for this open discussion, from the comfort of your own home. Register for your free ticket here -> https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-special-night-with-the-au

08.01.2022 NAPA’s very own ‘Fantastic Four’ is coming...details this July.

08.01.2022 A little silence can go a long way. Take a second to allow your child express themselves! Expectant pauses are a incredible way to let your child to initiate a communication interaction or tell you something new! Instead of prompting right away, wait and see what they have to say by counting to 3 in your head before giving your child a verbal or physical prompt.

08.01.2022 Walking into the first week of an intensive like...

08.01.2022 Last night we invited our Superhero NAPA siblings to play with us so that they could experience some of the NAPA fun and magic that their siblings get to enjoy! They had an absolute ball playing hungry hippos, flying in the spider cage, climbing all the obstacles, and making cards for their siblings. Stay tuned to see some new NAPA superstars in the making

08.01.2022 On the days leading up to Halloween, things get a little spooky at NAPA. All of a sudden, Paw Patrol characters start showing up for PT, princesses have to decide between Twix or Snickers, and your therapist may or may not look like an oversized slice of pizza (we speak on experience.) Spirit Week begins next week! Kids, parents, staff and the full cast of Frozen welcome.

07.01.2022 A challenging week at NAPA has ended with a toast to a dear friend and a celebration for this little mans 2nd birthday. #loveyoucourtney #happybirthdayjackson

07.01.2022 Melbourne will be famous for more than just shopping from this September. Your brand new NAPA Centre will open it’s doors on September 13! #napacountdown

07.01.2022 Top tip #2: if you cant be online at 10am AEST Thursday morning for 2021 intensive registration, then enlist the help of whoever you can!

07.01.2022 Your Sydney team are stepping up this Steptember, aiming for 10000 steps each day for the month of September! Its definitely been a challenge, but were doing it to support all our friends living with Cerebral Palsy. Please help us, help them by donating, stepping or spreading the word! The more research and support we can provide for these families, the greater the difference we can make! https://bit.ly/35uMWw1

06.01.2022 Blippi here with an awesome idea to help your kids transition into 2021. We are reminded about setting goals and resolutions each and every year, but what about reframing this idea by deciding what you want to take into 2021 and what you want to leave behind in 2020. Involve your kids in this process by making it tangible. What physical items can you pack in a suitcase to represent what you will continue this new year? For example, if you want to eat more healthy, you can pack an apple. If reducing screen time is the goal, pack a game or toy that will replace time in front of the TV. Happy packing and a happy New Year!

06.01.2022 The infamous sit to stand! Today we're breaking down this little movement that forms part of many a child's treatment plan. It's arguably one of the most functional exercises (think about how many times you personally do it each day), engaging most lower limb and core muscles while also challenging coordination and motor planning. There are many variations to make the exercise easier or trickier, but the general movement involves the cues "hands on knees" to prevent pushing through their arms on the chair, "nose over toes" to encourage forward weight shift of their body, followed by "stand up" for complete trunk and lower limb extension.

06.01.2022 Congratulations to our superstar of the week, Yusuf! Yusuf has completely blown us away with his hard work ethic and determination. Yusuf has conquered this intensive and we couldn’t be prouder. We are amazed by his walking on and off the treadmill and cannot believe he stood for 6 minutes all on his own. His legs have become so strong with his leg presses and step ups, his muscles are bulging through his tights! He is needing less help with every obstacle we build for ...him, getting better at shifting his weight forwards, and getting stronger with shifting over to his right side. Yusuf is trying so hard to use his talker to communicate and we get so excited when we hear him trying to say ‘more’. He is even picking up and taking bites of three different foods now! We have loved seeing your cheeky smile and hearing your gorgeous giggle again. Well done Mister on everything you’ve achieved. We can’t wait to hear that you’re running amuck at home, finding BeatBo in all his glory. Keep up the hard work! You’ve got an army behind you, every step of the way.

06.01.2022 Congratulations to our NAPA superstar last week, Felix! This is his very first NAPA intensive and we are so excited by all his new skills across the board! Felix has been working so hard on developing strong tongue skills to help with his eating and swallowing. We loved watching him poke his tongue out in the mirror for the first time! Felix has also shown us how confident he is with eating by taking large spoonfuls and exploring with different textures on his teeth! Fel...ix is getting better and better at unlocking his knees so he can take big steps over obstacles and transitioning to stand with less help. He’s even started to sit all on his own!! Felix is now taking consistent reciprocal steps in his walker, and we just can’t wait to see what else he has got up his sleeve. Keep it up Mr Felix you’re doing soo well little man, this is only just the beginning of your NAPA journey!!

05.01.2022 It's Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome Awareness Day today! Pitt-Hopkins is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the TCF4 gene on the 18th chromosome. This gene plays an essential role in the development of the nervous system and the brain. There is currently no cure for Pitt Hopkins but therapeutic input can make a large difference in their motor and communication skills as repetition is necessary to build their neuro pathways. ... #beyondawareness is the hashtag used to strive for more than just awareness. We would like to shine some light on the ongoing research including a current clinical trial, gene therapy, stem cell research and the re-purposing of FDA approved medication. The Pitt-Hopkins Research Foundation need your support to fund this ongoing research, so please feel free to support this worthy cause. Here is Yasmin and her family celebrating Pitt-Hopkins' Awareness Day. Yas is smashing all her goals during her very first NAPA intensive and we're so excited to see what's to come! https://pitthopkins.org/donate

05.01.2022 The 4 point crawl is one of the most underrated activities with ALL the benefits. It's a great core workout to target those deep core muscles but also an excellent way to strengthen the shoulder and pelvic girdle. Promotes bilateral coordination and integration, while also facilitating body awareness and motor planning. The proprioceptive input received through the child's hands is essential for fine motor development and can also be a calming and organising input for the brain. Crawling is definitely a skill to be encouraged whether it be on the grass in the backyard, up the stairs, across the bed full of pillows, or around the house under chairs and tables. Different surfaces will bring a different challenge for balance, strength and motor planning which makes for an excellent 'incidental' way of mixing therapy and play!

05.01.2022 Across our NAPA clinics we had 2007 submissions within the first 30 minutes of 2021 Intensive Registration opening. Holy guacamole! We are overwhelmed by your support and thank you in advance for your patience as we work through your 2021 registrations. #WaitingIsHard

05.01.2022 Please join us in welcoming Laura Hua to our team at NAPA Centre! Laura is a certified Speech Pathologist and Hanen therapist who is keenly interested in AAC, social skills, sensory and emotional regulation and positive behaviour support. She is available now for weekly therapy appointments on Wednesdays and Fridays and is really looking forward to wearing crazy leggings and socks at NAPA (not sure where she got that idea?!?)!!

05.01.2022 GIVEAWAY | This treadmill has seen many of your kids’ steps over the years and now it’s time to retire it for a newer model! It’s still in perfect working order but it’s just a little big for us and is much better suited to an adult! Free to a good home. If you are interested please email [email protected]. You must be able to pick up with your own transport from NAPA in the next week.

05.01.2022 You can register for 2021 Intensives in our Sydney and Melbourne clinics, as well as our Gold Coast and Auckland pop ups from this Thursday, 3rd September. Registration opens at 10am AEST #intensivetherapy #2021registration

04.01.2022 We just love it when one of our clever NAPA mums (or dads) creates an amazing new business!!! Introducing Sol & Seliniè - a 100% natural, crystal infused skincare range. The products contain nourishing ingredients and are free from synthetic ingredients,are environmentally friendly, Australian made, animal cruelty-free and vegan. If you are looking for beautiful new skincare, visit www.solandselinie.com.au and enter NAPA for a special 10% off at checkout! #solandseliniè

04.01.2022 What could it be?

04.01.2022 All work, no play.

04.01.2022 Top tip #3: To save valuable time, if you have notes, additional information, or want to let us know other dates you can do should your first choices not be available, then pre-type them out! Copy and paste is your friend!!!!

04.01.2022 Each child that visited NAPA in December received a festive Christmas stocking to help them celebrate the season! And now our remaining stockings are being packed full of gifts, ready for delivery to the kids at Westmead Children’s Hospital! Big thank you to our army of helpers and those who donated to make this possible! Thank you Sally Pozzobon for coordinating!

04.01.2022 Here is the thing: what we eat makes an impact on not only how we feel but how we behave and this rule applies to everyone (grumpy dad during quarantine anyone?) A popular approach for managing behaviours associated with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is to place a child on a gluten-free, casein-free diet. In fact, 62% of parents who have a child with ASD have reported attempting the diet at one point or another.

04.01.2022 We have some last minute intensive spots available in the upcoming 19 Oct- 6 Nov intensive. They are predominantly physio/Neurosuit/spidercage slots and are mostly in the afternoon. If you would like to grab a last minute spot please EMAIL us at [email protected] ASAP!

03.01.2022 Congratulations to our NAPA superstar this week, little Miss Grace! This is Graces first intensive at NAPA and she has just blown us away with how far she has come in just one week!! Her balance, crawling and moving into standing has just improved so much. Shes even starting to take steps with the ladder with the proudest smile on her face Grace is using her eyes to communicate on a special talking device and is demonstrating some amazing skills in her communication ability! Her engagement and interaction skills are incredible and she is beginning to reach and lift her arm for favourable games and items! We love seeing her sweet smile everyday and we are so excited for what is in store for her! Keep up the hard work cheeky monkey, your confidence is soaring and your new NAPA family are all cheering you on

03.01.2022 It’s been a while coming, but we are finally boarding the plane to come down and check out potential locations for NAPA Melbourne! #cantwait #napamelbourne

03.01.2022 We’ve got a jam-packed afternoon of fun for our NAPA Siblings this Thursday 10th June. We are encouraging siblings to come along for some activities led by our therapists to give them a better understanding of just what their brothers and sisters get up to at NAPA! For details and to book your free ticket, visit https://bit.ly/3sEw9zp

03.01.2022 Youve got mail! 2021 Intensive Registration instructions have been sent out via email. If you have not received the email then let us know at [email protected] and we will flick you copy so you have everything you need for tomorrows registration!

03.01.2022 This September, we are celebrating the anniversary of the release of the amazing book Special by hosting a very special online discussion with its author Melanie Dimmitt. Join like-minded parents sharing their stories in this special online discussion. Tuesday 29th September @ 7pm. Details and registration link: https://bit.ly/3ausBr6

02.01.2022 Congratulations to our NAPA Superstar of the week, Kamea! She has absolutely blitzed her very first intensive at NAPA, she is pretty much a different person! She has worked so hard each and every day and her new NAPA family is beyond proud. Kamea's leg muscles have become SO STRONG, she has walked around the WHOLE clinic with the ladder and cruised up the parallel bars in 41 seconds! Her confidence has absolutely soared and her sit to stands with crashes into the crashmat ar...e so much less scary! She is NAPA's next soccer superstar with the strongest guns in town. She's now doing her walk outs and reaching up for toys without collapsing! Kamea has almost perfected the ‘t’ and ‘p’ sound using and controlling her lips and tongue. She even used her talker to order food and coffee from the café! Kamea, we can't wait to see your confidence in yourself soar when you're back at home. Keep working hard, sister! Your new NAPA family are cheering you on and we can't wait to see you when you're back! Go Kamea Go!

02.01.2022 September 8th is Lissencephaly awareness day! Lissencephaly is a rare gene-linked brain malformation, also known as smooth brain. It effects about 1 in 100,000 births, so its considered a rare disorder. Some individuals will also suffer from epilepsy, swallowing disorders, movement disorders, cerebral palsy, vision impairment, & more. @Lissencephaly Foundation Inc is a non-profit organisation that is working towards more awareness, education, & family support around the world! To find out more info about Lissencephaly and the foundation, visit this website https://www.lissfoundation.org/information

02.01.2022 We hope some of our NAPA siblings are getting excited for Siblings Night" here at the NAPA Centre! We’re so excited to welcome some of our special NAPA Sibling Superheroes for a night of fun games and activities. We hope you have your superhero powers charged. If you missed out on a spot this time, keep an eye out for more posts about future "Siblings Nights"!

02.01.2022 At NAPA we know that all our families spend so much of their time concentrating on the development and welfare of their kids. It is just as important for you to take time for yourself and keep track of your own personal welfare. With today being R U OK day, it is a timely reminder to do just that. Take some time, talk and most importantly, reach out if you feel the need. The NAPA Parents Facebook group is a great place to find like minded families who know the challenges you may face. https://www.facebook.com/groups/329581687186784/?ref=share

02.01.2022 Dont stress! With an expanded Sydney clinic, our brand new Melbourne location and our two amazing pop ups in the Gold Coast and Auckland, we literally have double the intensive spots to offer in 2021!

01.01.2022 Congratulations to our little NAPA superstar of the week, Imogen! Imogen has just finished her first week of her very first intensive at NAPA and she has made some unbelievable gains. Just last week she was crawling all over the house as her main form of mobility... She can now pull to stand AND cruise along the couch ALL ON HER OWN! Her strength and confidence are skyrocketing, she’s standing with assistance at her thighs and even shifting onto tricky leftie. Her pointe...r finger is making more of an appearance, especially for all the light up and musical toys. She wears her best accessories every day- her contagious smile and gorgeous collection of headbands, and we just can't get enough! We can’t wait to see what the next three weeks bring for this little lady. Keep up the hard work, little Miss Imogen! Your new NAPA family are so impressed and are cheering you on

01.01.2022 October 6 is World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day where we are encouraging you to ‘Make Your Mark’ by showing everyone how you adapt and innovate every day. World CP Day is an opportunity for the whole world to come together to recognise and celebrate the 17 million people around the world living with cerebral palsy. #worldcpday2020

01.01.2022 To celebrate National Carers Week, we'd love to share some beautiful pictures to recognise a few of the 2.65 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles and to show our appreciation for the enormous contribution they make to our communities and the lives of our little kiddos. WE OUR CARERS. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO From blowing bubbles to singing songs, acting like a clown and being the best cuddle giver between exercises... We as therapists could not do what we do without you! So thank you!