20 July 2023
Some children have difficulty processing and responding to information from their senses.
This includes sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, proprioception (body awareness) and vestibular (movement) input.
Signs of sensitivities:
- Seeking sensations (touching, smelling or licking textures, closely watching moving objects, difficulty sitting still)
- Over-reacting to sensations (becoming upset when touched, easily distracted by noise/light, picky with food textures and smells)
- Under-responding to sensations (appearing to ‘tune out’, low response to sound/touch, poor pain perception)
Download:
Sensory seeking versus sensory sensitive
When to refer:
Refer to an occupational therapist when a child’s sensory sensitivities interfere with everyday routines or engagement in learning. Early referral is key in improving functional, social and academic outcomes.
Download:
Early intervention – where and how to refer
Further information about sensory sensitivities
This article was written by members of the ‘Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees’ project which includes professionals from a number of government and non-government organisations in South Western Sydney. The group aims to support GPs working with families to navigate and access timely services when they have a concern about a child’s development.
19 July 2023
SWSPHN has teamed with Western Sydney University (WSU) and Wests Tigers to support an initiative to improve girls’ health and wellbeing through sport.
Beyond the 80 (BT80) is a family-based healthy lifestyle intervention for girls aged 7 to 11 years and their families in South Western Sydney.
The program will harness the popularity of the Wests Tigers National Rugby League club and use rugby league to engage families to promote health and well-being and address health priorities in the region.
Through participation, spectatorship and community engagement, sport has the potential to improve health outcomes, empower individuals and unite communities.
BT80 will be launched in September, initially as a feasibility study (phase 1), and involve about 30 families or 120 participants.
It will be delivered over 10 weeks and will include weekly education and physical activity sessions at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Education sessions will be delivered to girls and adult family members and will focus on building healthy family routines around key lifestyle behaviours, including: physical activity/sedentary behaviour, healthy eating, mental health and sleep.
Data will be collected on a range of health and wellbeing outcomes before and after taking part in the program. Based on findings from phase 1, the program will be optimised and delivered to a larger sample in the pilot trial (phase 2, 2024-25), before being rolled out on a large scale in phase 3.
SWSPHN, WSU and Wests Tigers share a vision to improve health and wellbeing in South Western Sydney.
29 June 2023
SWSPHN is funding a children’s health program aimed at educating and empowering children in South Western Sydney to make better food and sleep choices.
Schools in the region are invited to submit expressions of interest to access a full scholarship with The Root Cause Children’s Health Program (CHP) for 12 months, starting in term four this year.
Applications must be lodged by Friday, 18 August.
The Root Cause is a partnership where entire primary school communities are educated and encouraged to learn and build a positive relationship with food and sleep. Through the program, parents, teachers and children learn about healthy eating and waste.
Five South Western Sydney schools will have an opportunity to participate in the program, which incorporates in-person workshops for students, parents and staff, plus a range of classroom resources, professional development, and an online portal for families to use from home.
Research shows the amount and quality of food eaten by a child has a direct impact on health and well-being, learning, behaviour, resilience and academic results.
This is the first time SWSPHN has linked up with CHP.
During the last decade, The Root Cause has educated more than 59,000 children, parents and teachers from almost 260 schools across Australia.
Apply now
26 June 2023
Transition to school has an impact on a child’s educational trajectory.
A successful transition to school requires social, emotional, communication, and motor skills.
COVID-19 has impacted opportunities for children to develop their ‘ready for school’ skills, as many children could not attend early learning or playgroup.
GPs can help by supporting families to:
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Additional resources:
Children with disability have the right to go to school alongside their peers: Reimagine Australia Ready, Set, School! resource
Starting School (NSW DoE)
PlaygroupsNSW
Find your local school
Transition to School Resource
Crunch and Sip
Conversations for Collaboration
09 June 2023
More imperative than ever, early mental health assessments and support for children and young people should be provided to prevent unnecessary long-term impacts.
Many families visit their GP frequently, and these consultations present the ideal opportunity for early intervention.
As a result of COVID-19, many GPs have become pressed for time, however, GP’s skills and knowledge are crucial in supporting children’s mental health, especially infants and toddlers.
Australia’s Emerging Minds provides an evidence-informed guide created specifically for GPs.
This article includes links to brief videoclips, podcasts and e-learning courses on conducting child mental health assessments.
Early intervention and referral by GPs can prevent progression of a mental health condition, critically contributing to children’s future wellbeing.
Southwest Sydney Paediatric Clinics
Referral
Infant Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS)
Phone: 9827 8011/8717 1700
Referral
Phone: 9780 2777
Referral
Phone: 4621 5000
Referral
SWSPHN STAR4Kids Providers (3 to 12 years)
- Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee: AT Full Potential Psychology
Phone: 4655 1694
- Liverpool: Mission Australia
Phone: 9732 6500
- Bankstown/Fairfield: ProActive Psychology
Phone: 9796 3925/9727 7752
- Campbelltown: Sparrow Centre for Children
Phone: 0417 469 800
Referral
Family Mental Health Support Services
- Liverpool: Mission Australia – Happy Healthy Minds
Phone: 9732 6500
- Fairfield: Woodville Alliance
Phone: 9724 3807
- Bankstown: Break Thru People Solutions
Phone: 8700 1400
- Campbelltown: The Benevolent Society
Phone: 4633 3777
Referral
This article was written by members of the ‘Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees’ project which includes professionals from a number of government and non-government organisations in South Western Sydney. The group aims to support GPs working with families to navigate and access timely services when they have a concern about a child’s development.
22 May 2023
Gross motor skills are foundational developmental skills required for play, self-care, and academic tasks. The COVID-19 restrictions limited children’s access to community settings such as parks and playgroups to practise gross motor skills.
When to refer
Children may present with the following gross motor difficulties:
- Poor balance and posture
- Poor strength
- Uncoordinated movements
- Clumsiness
Refer to a physiotherapist when a child is not achieving age-appropriate motor milestones or has difficulty with physical activities. Early referral is key in maximising outcomes.
Where and how to refer
What to recommend
Increased opportunities to build gross motor skills.
Encourage parents to:
- Avoid baby walkers
- Reduce screen time
- Prioritise floor tummy time for infants
- Promote outdoor play for all ages
- Attend playgroup
Resources by age
This article was written by members of the ‘Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees’ project which includes professionals from a number of government and non-government organisations in South Western Sydney. The group aims to support GPs working with families to navigate and access timely services when they have a concern about a child’s development.
02 May 2023
Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence is offering a number of free educational opportunities for healthcare providers.
Motivational Interviewing Strategies to address domestic violence workshop
This online workshop, on Wednesday, 10 May, from 8.30am to 10am, aims to enhance your use of motivational interviewing strategies in consultations with people using or experiencing domestic violence.
Find out more / register
Pivoting to the perpetrator: How to engage with patients who use DFV
This online workshop, on Wednesday, 31 May, from 9am to 10.30am, aims to enhance your confidence to safely engage with people who use violence.
Find out more / register
Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect e-learning module
This 90-minute e-learning module is free for GPs and primary care staff. It discusses the nature, prevalence and impact of child abuse and neglect, and outlines safe and appropriate response pathways for the children and their families, including when reporting is mandated. The module will assist you in identifying strategies to provide ongoing support to the child and family following initial first line response and illustrate key challenges in responding to child abuse and neglect within the practice environment.
Access the module
20 April 2023
The COVID lockdowns limited children’s exposure to structured environments such as childcare where they have typically developed their social skills and emotional resilience.
This has resulted in many children presenting with challenging behaviours.
Examples of challenging behaviour include:
- Defiance/ refusing age appropriate requests
- Overly fussy such as difficultly settling
- Hurting self/ others
- Excessively angry when refused their wishes
- Ongoing or frequent emotional outbursts
When to refer?
Challenging behaviour is part of typical development. However, families need support if their child’s behaviour is impacting on family functioning, the child’s engagement in daily tasks and learning environments, or if there are safety concerns.
Some behaviours may be due to an undiagnosed developmental delay (eg social, emotional, communication), disability or trauma.
Where to refer?
- Psychologist or family therapist
- Parent Child Interaction Therapist (PCIT)
- Parenting education program such as Circle of Security or Tuning in to Kids
Find more information
This article was written by members of the ‘Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees’ project which includes professionals from a number of government and non-government organisations in South Western Sydney. The group aims to support GPs working with families to navigate and access timely services when they have a concern about a child’s development.
19 April 2023
A new public awareness campaign is aiming to improve childhood vaccination rates.
Despite maintaining relatively high routine vaccinations among children in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a downward trend in childhood immunisation coverage rates over the past two years, particularly for First Nations children.
The campaign, with the theme ‘one more way you keep them safe’, highlights the importance of vaccinating children according to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule, emphasising that vaccination is just one more of the many things parents and carers can do to keep their kids safe.
The campaign encourages parents and carers to seek information from trusted sources and reassures them about the benefits of childhood vaccination.
Visit the campaign website
