Sensational people

Hi everyone, meet Tan!

This gem of a human is the founder of one of Australia’s most renowned occupational therapy centres, Sensational Kids. It’s not just something I say -  the families who fly in from the rest of the country to hang out in their lycra clouds are living proof. Because you see, Sensational Kids is POSITIVELY DIFFERENT. Just like our kids, the people working here stand out from the crowd. They’ve been a gamechanger for our lil family - and in those early days I remember thinking…

“YAY! Here is someone who gets me! Someone who knows that
therapy is play and play is therapy! Someone who looks for strengths, not
weaknesses. Someone who reframes challenges to great opportunities! Someone who
gets that while they’re offering a service, this is as personal as it gets…
Because this aint just business – it’s our life! Someone who is pro yet real,
who expects the world and helps your kiddo aim for the stars!”

I hope that you all have a Tan in your life. And if not, I’ll share her with you – because when I asked her if she’d share some therapy insight for those early scrumptious days, Tan, as always, said YES.

What would you say to new members of #theluckyfew tribe?
What an unexpected but awesome journey you are about to begin!  Life, as you know it and expected it to unfold, is about to change but all for the better.  You are going to become a part of communities that become your tribe, professionals who will become like family to you and new friends that are also on this journey and will become your backbone when you need it most. 

There will be moments when you will doubt that you can do this, you will be confused between being a parent and a therapist but the most important thing is that that you remain PRESENT for your child as everything in development will be supported by this core foundation. So do what you need to invest in yourself and take care of yourself, find the people that are a fit for you and your family, and enjoy the ride that is ahead as you are about to see the world from a completely different perspective which is pretty darn cool!  

Sensational Kids is such an awesome name. Can you share why you picked that name?

Easy! I wanted a name that reflected how I felt about the kids that led me to this journey and that at the same time summarised the core focus of my OT philosophy. Sensational Kids do both!  Firstly, it addresses the fact that all kids are sensational and importantly, that you need a sensational relationship to support true development. Secondly, the name reflects our dedication to work from the bottom up to support development with a solid foundation in sensory processing (hence the sense component).

In my years as an OT, the greatest leaps have always happened when these two factors are the focus of therapy – and when I have been able to impart that knowledge onto the families that I work with.

Tan, when we first met I was completely overwhelmed by the new therapy lingo and all the things I thought I had to do. To help new parents feel calm and confident that they’re enough for their bubs, what are your three tips for those scrumptious baby days from a therapy perspective?

1: RELATIONSHIPS TRUMPHS ANYTHING. Value the importance of this higher than anything else you invest in...… It is the true foundation for providing a space for children in which they can be nurtured yet challenged and this is the key to keeping moving forward with development. And of course, that also means your own relationship both with your baby, yourself and the rest of the family. Just tune in and be there with your baby – learn to know each other and take everything from there. 

2: GET ON THAT TUMMY - this is such a crucial part of ongoing development and doesn't just have to mean being on your tummy, so be creative and have some fun. For example:

• Lay down on your back with bub on your tummy – then sing some songs, have a chat or just snuggle!

• Take a bath together and let bub lay on your tummy in the warm water. This is great for exploration and movement with some slight resistance and feedback. Plus, it’s like a spa for two!

• Lay bub over your legs, and put some books or toys down on the other side of your legs for your baby to look at. 

• Carry bub across your arm on their tummy, which will give them a great view at the same time as it works their core.
  

3: MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - HAVE FUN!  Learning isn't meant to be boring, and kids (and adults!) learn best through play. So discover your child’s interest and work within this – and people who work like this too. That’s when the true magic will happen!