We are very excited to introduce our new Therapeutic resources Shop – the Quirky Kid Shoppe. This specialist book and resources shop provides parents and professionals with unique therapeutic resources, including books, toys, games and cards for children, adolescents and families.

The New Shoppe Home Page

More than a Shop!

The new Quirky Kid Shoppe offer many advantages in relation to our old system and it is really easy to navigate. For example, you can find handpicked resources by the Quirky Kid Team. These resources will be changed and updated often.

Resources for Parent and Professionals

The Quirky Kid Shoppe will provide more than just resources. We will also comment, discuss and demonstrate new tool and approaches – simple visit our blog to see videos, interviews, photos and instructions.

Below you can see am example of the grid pages view were parents or professionals can easily find resources. You can search by Issues, Resource Type or Target Age.

Work in Progress

This major project involved a lot of work and dedication over the past 6 months and it comes as a response to many requests from parents and colleagues that often asked us about the resources and products used during therapeutic intervention and workshops at the Quirky Kid Clinic.

We still have some small details to go over however be sure that you will find new and interesting ideas here on the Quirky Kid Shoppe.

You can get access to the Quirky Kid Shop via: http://therapeuticresources.com.au

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It is called a spectrum disorder as each child may be affected in a different way. The severity of the disorder can range from mild to severe, and includes Autism, Asperger’s syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not otherwise Specified.

Repetitive behaviours are a core component of the diagnosis of autism, and they form an important part of early identification.

Typical Development of Repetitive Behaviours

• Infants – often demonstrate repetitive behaviours including kicking, waving, banging, twirling, bouncing and rocking. These behaviours however, reduce after 12 months.
• 24 – 36 months – compulsive like behaviours including preference for sameness begin to emerge.
• 4 years – decrease in all repetitive behaviours. By the time a child reaches school age there are usually relatively few repetitive behaviours to be seen.

Repetitive Behaviours in a child diagnosed with an ASD

The amount and frequency of repetitive behaviours seen in a child diagnosed with an ASD is significantly higher than that seen in children without an ASD diagnosis. There are also differences in the types of repetitive behaviour demonstrated in autism and typical development.
Young children with autism are more likely to engage in

• body rocking,
• finger flicking,
• hand flapping,
• mouthing,
• unusual posturing.

Recent studies have shown that a combination of therapies that aim to increase receptive language and improve social skills, can reduce the occurrence of repetitive behaviours.

Need more information?

• Please contact the Quirky Kid Clinic for further information on ASD’s and Repetitive Behaviours.
• You can also view our early intervention services or
• Discuss ASD’s with other parents at the Quirky Kid Huddle – our parenting forums.

Quirky Kid is registered to provide services under the Helping Children with Austins – FaCHSIA.

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Information for this fact sheet was taken from an interview with Child Psychologist Kimberley O’Brien, the Repetitive Behaviours in Autism Spectrum Disorder Workshop attended by Corina Vogler, Provisional Psychologist  and the following articles:

Honey, E., McConachie, H., Randle, Val., Shearer, H., & Le Couteur, A. S. (2008). One-year Change in Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children with Communication Disorders Including Autism. Journal Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1439–1450.

Honey, E., Leekham, S., & McConachie, H.. (2007). Repetitive Behaviours and Play in Typically Developing Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1107–1115.

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Kimberley O’Brien, our principal child psychologist, discussed the book ‘ my princes boy’  about a boy that likes to dress up like a girl with Lisa Wilkinson from the Today Show. You can find  useful, practical and informative advice about parenting by visiting our resources page, – or discussing it on our forum.

Watch the segment at the Channel 9 website. You can find more information about our resources at our online shop

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please contact us to schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media. View our media appearances to-date.

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Check Kimberly’s and other experts comments at the Practical Parenting Website

According to Kimberley praise is great but needs to be balanced and given at the right moments or you end up with children who expect everything they do to end in a positive result, which is not reality.

The Quirky Kid runs a workshop called ‘Raise on Praise’ and other great workshops for parents.

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please contact us to schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media. View our media appearances to-date.

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After reviewing our most popular school-based and clinic programs like, “The Best of Friends” and “Why Worry?”, we added more motivational programs for high-achievers, such as “Power Up” and a new series for Mums and Bubs, exploring “The Inside Story” of infant development and healthy attachment.

Our online registration has also been stream lined, taking into consideration your feedback.

Bookings are now easier and even faster!

See our new Workshop Calendar online or join our Mailing List for your hard copy in the next 10 days -  go to our Contact Page and send us a message with your postal address.

Melbourne workshops are booking fast!

The Quirky Kid 2010/2011 Workshop Calendar is printed on 100% recycled paper.

>>Download a copy now

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The highest you ever climbed! – The furthest you ever swam! – The fastest you ever ran! -

Children love stories, especially true stories describing adventure and emotional extremes. Often they will ask to hear our stories but how often do they get to tell theirs?

The TMAS cards invite young people to recall and retell their own memorable moments of extremity (Luckiest! Loneliest! Bravest!), as they rediscover a sense of pride in their own achievements. The story topics have been carefully chosen to appeal to young storytellers, with the capacity to engage listeners of all ages.

The TMAS cards are a useful tool for parents and professionals working with young people to facilitate communication, highlight strengths, give praise and boost self-esteem.

The TMAS collection is designed for young people and adults, (aged 6 years and above). We all have stories to tell and the TMAS cards provide a forum for all people to share their experiences, children and adults alike. The cards have been tried and tested with individuals and small groups, throughout a number of different contexts.

>> Download a Flyer or  Buy Now!

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Auditory Processing refers to the brain’s ability to recognise and interpret the sounds from the surrounding environment. People with Auditory Processing difficulties do not process information in the same way as others, as their ears and brain to not completely co-ordinate. Something adversely affects the way these people recognise and interpret sounds, particularly the sounds involved in speech. People experiencing these difficulties may be diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

What are the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder?

People with APD may have difficulties with the following tasks:

• Focusing on the voice of one person in noisy environments
• Remembering instructions given verbally
• Distinguishing between similar words, such as slime/climb, thin/thing etc
• Filtering out background noise
• Sustaining attention for periods of time
• Participating appropriately in discussions with groups of people, such as in the classroom.

They may also show academic difficulties, behavioural difficulties and/or social difficulties.

Could it be something else?

Before your child is diagnosed with APD, it is important to rule out the following issues:

• Hearing loss
• Learning difficulties
• Attention problems such as ADD
• Other language problems
• Major developmental difficulties such as Autism

What can I do if my child is experiencing Auditory Processing Difficulties?

Auditory Processing Disorder is best treated by an Audiologist or Speech Pathologist. However, the following strategies may be implemented to make some tasks easier for your child.

• Try to make sure that his learning environments (both at home and at school) are as quiet as possible when concentration is required.
• Ask your child’s teacher if she can sit at the desk closest to the teacher’s desk, so the teacher’s voice is loud compared to others.
• Give your child written instructions for homework, chores, etc so he can refer if he has forgotten.
• Break instructions into small, achievable steps and give small rewards or verbal praise when each step is completed
• Visual cues for tasks at home and at school should be provided to aid your child in understanding what is required of her
• Ensure you have your child’s attention (e.g. eye contact) before speaking to him
• Check that your child has understood what has been said to her by asking her to repeat or summarise the instructions she was given

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Information for this fact sheet was taken from the Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service website; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2004), and from Child Psychologist Kimberley O’Brien.

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Is the consent of both parents required before a psychologist can provide services to a child?

When a psychologist is engaged to provide a psychological service to a child, the consent and involvement of both parents is desirable, although not legally required. However, there are situations where obtaining the consent of both parents is not possible, or appropriate.

What about parental consent where the parents of the child are separated?

If a psychologist is aware that the parents of the child are separated, he or she may assume that the parent who organised the consultation has the legal authority to access a psychologist on behalf of the child. Even if there are existing Court Orders, the psychologist is not required to establish whether the decision to consult a psychologist has been made jointly by the parents.

If the presenting parent says that they do not wish the other parent to be involved, and the other parent reportedly opposes the decision for the child to see a psychologist, the psychologist should discuss this further with the presenting parent and child, and make a professional judgement about whether to provide services. In making that decision, the best interests of the child are most important.

Where parents are separated, what if the other parent seeks information from the psychologist about the services being provided to the child?

If the presenting parent and child have not given consent for disclosure of information to the other parent, then a psychologist must protect the confidentiality of the young person. This includes refraining from acknowledging if a psychological service has been provided at all. If the other parent does contact the psychologist for information, the presenting parent will be informed and encouraged to resolve the issues directly.

What are the limits to confidentiality when providing services to young people?

Psychologists must comply with any legal requirements to report child abuse and neglect. Psychologists must also disclose information in situations where failure to disclose information may result in clear risk to the young person or to others, in order to avert risk.

You can contact us for further information or to make an appointment.

Separation and Divorce workshop for children in Sydney.
In addition, we also run the ‘Doing the Splits’ workshop. Visit the workshop pages to make a booking:

- http://childpsychologist.com.au/workshop/doing-the-splits-sydney

Separation and Divorce workshop for children in Melbourne.

- http://childpsychologist.com.au/workshop/doing-the-splits-melbourne

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What should I look for?

• Does your child have excessive anxiety or worry about a number of events or activities?
• Does your child find it difficult to control their worries?
• Does your child appear restless or ‘on edge’?
• Is your child easily fatigued?
• Does your child have difficulty concentrating?
• Does your child appear irritable?
• Does your child appear tense?
• Does your child have difficulty falling or staying asleep?
• Does your child have restless and unsatisfying sleep?

Recommended Resources:

The Quirky Kid Shoppe has select useful resources for parenting and children experiencing Separation Anxiety and others forms of Anxiety.

How can the Quirky Kid Clinic help your child?

The Quirky Kid Clinic is a unique place for children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. We work from the child’s perspective to help them find their own solutions.  If you suspect your child may be experiencing symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder you might consider one of the following options:

• Book an individual session with our experienced Child Psychologists
• Register for the “Why Worry?” workshop or
• Contact us for more information

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Reference:

American Psychiatric Association:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

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