Our Services

The term “sensory integration” refers to the processing, integration, and organisation of sensory information from the body and the environment.

Simply put, this means how we experience, interpret and react to (or ignore) information coming from our senses. Sensory integration is important in all the things that we need to do on a daily basis, such as getting dressed, eating, moving around, socialising, learning and working.

Sensory information is received from our 8 senses, which include:

• Sight (vision)
• Hearing (auditory system)
• Touch (tactile system)
• Taste (gustatory system)
• Smell (olfactory system)
• Proprioception (senses of body awareness and position)
• Vestibular (awareness of movement, balance, and coordination)
• Interoception (our internal sensory system that tells us what is happening inside our body, for example, hunger, needing the toilet, fatigue, emotions, etc)

For most of us, the development of sensory integration occurs when we are young as part of our normal development and in the things we do such as rolling, crawling, walking and in play; for others, sensory integration is less well developed. 

Our understanding of sensory integration was initially developed in the late 60s and 70s by Dr A Jean Ayres, an occupational therapist and psychologist with an understanding of neuroscience, working in the USA. Ayres defined sensory integration as:

“The neurological process that organises sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively with the environment.” (1972)

A safe and fun space for selective eaters and sensory sensitive kids to explore food using a sensory integration and play based approach. These groups run once every 6 months, so if you are interested, please contact us to place your child on the list for the next group.  

Designed for children who have difficulty eating, with or without a diagnosis:

• Eat less than 20 foods.
• Often gag or choke during meal times.
• Prefer brand specific foods.
• Prefer foods prepared the same way each meal.
• Find biting or chewing meat and raw vegetables difficult.
• Often won't eat at school or kindy.
• Mealtimes are stressful at home.
• Fear of eating at other peoples houses, school camp or restaurants.

The Playful Place offers training and workshops that can be designed around individual needs of the organisation, group or the family. Elen is a highly skilled and engaging presenter who can make hard topics easy to learn and apply to practice.  Call us today to discuss what your training needs are. Popular workshops include:

• LEGO- Based Therapy Facilitator Training
• Therapeutic use of LEGO 
• Is it sensory or is it behaviour? 
• Emotional Regulation - what to expect when.
• Big Feelings - how to reduce and support overwhelm without rewards or punishments. 
• Classroom wide support planning for High Needs Students
• Professional Workshops

Social skill groups can be greatly beneficial to children, giving an opportunity to learn and practice skills in a safe environment tailored for their individual needs. The group is kept small with children with similar skills. Research based Lego-Therapy techniques are used as the foundation of the group activity.  The group works on:

• Conversation
• Cooperation & Collaboration 
• Negotiation
• Self regulation
• Safe conflict resolution
• Resilience & perseverance 
• Leadership and teamwork
• Fine & Gross motor
• Sensory Modulation.

The Playful Place provides high quality therapy aiming at empowering the child through celebrating strengths and understanding  challenges. Specialised areas include 

• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Premature Births
• Anxiety
• Dyspraxia
• Autism
• Trauma
• ADHD
• Emotional Regulation
• Self Esteem 
• Social Skills
• Understanding a New Diagnosis

The Playful Place offers the following  assessments:

• Sensory Profile 2 (SP2)
• Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) 
• Retained Primitive Reflex Screening
• Developmental Assessment 
• Classroom Assessments
• Autism Screening: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 3 (GARS3)

Professional supervision is "A structured and intentional relationship in which a practitioner reflects and critically on his/her/their work, and receives feedback and guidance from the supervisor in order to deliver the best possible service to consumers" - OT Code of Ethics.

Elen is a qualified clinical supervisor, providing clinical supervision for health professionals. 

Mentoring and coaching also available for non-qualified or non-registered facilitators and practitioners.