Aspiring Occupational Therapy

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Aspiring Occupational Therapy Paediatric Occupational Therapy services based in Wānaka, NZ. Contact us: [email protected]

25/09/2026

Why do some kids LOVE spinning?

Spinning gives the brain lots of vestibular input — information about movement, balance and where the body is in space.

For some children, it can help them feel alert, organised and connected to their body.

For others, too much spinning can leave them dizzy, silly or dysregulated.

So rather than simply saying “stop spinning”, we ask:

What is their body seeking?

And what happens afterwards?

Sometimes movement isn’t the problem — it’s the clue.

A little motivation goes a long way! Bowie earning his treats from a Mount Aspiring College student during a therapy ses...
21/09/2026

A little motivation goes a long way!

Bowie earning his treats from a Mount Aspiring College student during a therapy session today 💙

Sometimes the best way to build confidence, connection and engagement is through a wagging tail and a few well-earned treats.

Grief is something I’ve always understood in theory.Experiencing it myself, and watching my children grieve the loss of ...
15/09/2026

Grief is something I’ve always understood in theory.

Experiencing it myself, and watching my children grieve the loss of their Pops, has changed that completely.

At 3 and 6, they don’t always have the words to explain their feelings. Grief can show up through play, questions, big emotions, sleep, behaviour and connection.

Sometimes they need to talk; other times, they need to play, draw, move, cuddle or simply carry on being kids.

The Invisible String and The Glow have helped us talk about love, memories and the connection that remains when someone is no longer with us.

As an OT, I’m seeing grief through a different lens. As a mum, I’m learning to walk through it alongside my children.

We miss you, Pops. 🤍

Meet Katie! Katie specialises in paediatrics and ACC-funded rehabilitation. She will be supporting our Southland client...
09/09/2026

Meet Katie!

Katie specialises in paediatrics and ACC-funded rehabilitation. She will be supporting our Southland clients and their whānau to achieve their goals and get back to the activities and routines that are meaningful to them.
She has a client-centred and holistic approach to care, taking the time to understand the bigger picture and what is important to each individual.

Katie is an active and down-to-earth person and we are proud to welcome her to the Aspiring Occupational Therapy Family 🐞

Why do we love mazes in Occupational Therapy?Mazes might look like a simple pencil-and-paper activity, but they can actu...
03/09/2026

Why do we love mazes in Occupational Therapy?

Mazes might look like a simple pencil-and-paper activity, but they can actually support the development of so many important skills!

Working through a maze can help children practise:

✨ Visual tracking – following a pathway with their eyes
✨ Visual perception – recognising pathways, spaces and direction
✨ Fine motor control – guiding a pencil accurately
✨ Hand-eye coordination – coordinating what the eyes see with hand movements
✨ Problem-solving and planning – figuring out which way to go
✨ Attention and concentration – staying focused until the maze is complete
✨ Persistence – trying again when they reach a dead end!

The best part? Children often see mazes simply as fun!

We love incorporating playful activities like mazes into OT sessions to build skills in a way that feels engaging, motivating and achievable.

Sometimes the simplest activities can provide the biggest opportunities for learning 💛

How’s your emotional temperature today?The Emotional Thermometer is a simple visual tool that can help children recognis...
01/09/2026

How’s your emotional temperature today?

The Emotional Thermometer is a simple visual tool that can help children recognise and communicate how big their feelings are.

Just like a thermometer measures temperature, an emotional thermometer can help children think about:

Low – I’m feeling calm and comfortable
Rising – I’m starting to feel worried, frustrated or overwhelmed
High – My feelings are getting big and my body needs support
Very high – I’m overwhelmed and finding it hard to think clearly

💡 The most important part isn’t just identifying the number or colour — it’s learning to recognise what our body is telling us and knowing what can help us regulate before we reach boiling point.

There is no such thing as a “bad” emotion. All feelings are okay — we just need the tools to understand them and respond safely.

The Emotional Thermometer can be a wonderful way to build emotional awareness, interoception and self-regulation in a simple, visual and child-friendly way.

28/08/2026

Messy play is more than just making a mess!

For children, messy play is a wonderful opportunity to explore, experiment and learn through their senses.

Whether it’s squishing slime, scooping rice, digging through sand or making mud pies, messy play can support:

✨ Sensory processing – exploring different textures, smells and sensations
🖐️ Fine motor skills – scooping, squeezing, pinching and pouring
🧠 Motor planning – figuring out how to manipulate and use materials
🎨 Creativity & problem solving – open-ended play encourages children to experiment
💛 Emotional regulation – sensory-rich play can be calming and organising for some children
👀 Visual-motor skills – watching, reaching, pouring and manipulating materials together
😊 Confidence & independence – children get to make choices and learn through trial and error

Welcome to the Team, Bowie! 🐾Today was his first day at Mount Aspiring College, where he is joining the Upper Clutha Com...
23/08/2026

Welcome to the Team, Bowie! 🐾

Today was his first day at Mount Aspiring College, where he is joining the Upper Clutha Community Link Outreach Therapy Pets programme.

We’re so excited to see Bowie begin this new role, bringing his calm presence, cuddles, companionship and a little bit of joy to the school community. 🐶

We’re sure he’ll be a wonderful addition to the team and can’t wait to see the positive impact he has on students and staff.

Welcome aboard, Bowie — you’ve got this! 🐾

Supporting regulation in the classroom 💙Sometimes children don’t have the words—or the capacity in the moment—to explain...
10/08/2026

Supporting regulation in the classroom 💙

Sometimes children don’t have the words—or the capacity in the moment—to explain what they need.

Simple visual support cards can give children an easy, low-pressure way to communicate:

🟢 “I am ready to learn”
🟡 “I need help”
🔴 “I need to go to my safe space”

These cards help make regulation and self-advocacy visible and accessible. Rather than waiting until a child is overwhelmed, we can give them a way to communicate their needs earlier and support them to recognise when they need a break, some help, or are ready to engage.

For some children, pointing to a card can be much easier than finding the words “I’m becoming overwhelmed and I need some space.”

Small supports can make a big difference to participation, confidence and independence in the classroom.

✨ When Big Feelings Show Up… Use Your Infinity Superpower! ♾️This week one of my little OT clients created an incredible...
21/07/2026

✨ When Big Feelings Show Up… Use Your Infinity Superpower! ♾️

This week one of my little OT clients created an incredible comic strip about using Infinity Breathing to transform from feeling overwhelmed into feeling calm and in control.

Instead of fighting the “bad guy,” the real superpower was learning to slow the body and calm the brain.

♾️ How to do Infinity Breathing:

1. Hold one finger up.
2. Slowly trace an imaginary infinity symbol (∞) in the air.
3. Breathe in as you trace one loop.
4. Breathe out as you trace the other loop.
5. Repeat until your body starts to feel calmer.

Why does it work?
💛 Slows breathing
🧠 Helps switch the brain out of “fight, flight or freeze”
❤️ Gives children something simple to focus on
💪 Builds independence by giving them a strategy they can use anywhere

We love turning regulation strategies into superpowers. When children feel like they’re learning a special skill—not just being told to “calm down”—they’re much more likely to use it when they need it most.

This amazing comic is a reminder that some of the most powerful therapy moments come from children’s own creativity. ✨

Have you tried Infinity Breathing with your child?

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Wanaka
9305

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

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