Wynnum / Manly Occupational Therapy

 Participation in Creative Activities enriches development in many ways. Selecting natural objects during walks along the beach and bush trails, involves physical activity. Creative arts can lead to appreciation of the natural environment, and greater attention to living things around us. The chance to slow down, and sense the sight, sounds, smells around us is important to enriching our development as we are being, and becoming artists, musicians, creators with our friends, families, and communities. Photograph 1: Creative Practice (Sandra Kirkwood, Occupational Therapist) Creative Arts has been central to Occupational Therapy which arose in response to medical conditions in mental institutions, and hospitals in the early 20th Century. My education and training as an Occupational Therapist involved Creative Arts Laboratories in which we explored and applied arts,  crafts, and woodwork, to therapy practice. This was hinged upon our study in Anatomy, Physiology, Neurology, Comm...

SEA-TEAM  is a platform for Therapists, Educators, Artists, and Musicians to share an interest in Social Enrichment through the Arts.  The idea is to support people's creative collaboration across disciplinary borders. This allows us to problem-solve complex issues in our local area at the Brisbane Bayside and have fun.  The purpose is to support health and well-being of local people and the environment. The social setting is community-cultural facilities that welcome the public and are designed for participating in group activities.  The program is tailored to meet goals identified by community members as important. The initiative supports community-led bridge making--connecting services and people who do not normally meet.  Looking for people with diverse interests and skills--for further conversations to get to know one another and plan activities for the future. The zone is alcohol free and inclusive of all abilities--because everyone is a musician. Everyone...

The GLAM sector is open to people of all abilities, all ages, all interests. Galleries, libraries, archives and museums are stimulating, welcoming, and accessible as therapy spaces. The environment encourages exploration, and hands-on-learning. Participants choose their own interest areas and ways of engaging actively. Adam and Russell below, choose to pat a baby T-Rex. The experience evokes imaginative conversations and sharing ideas. The sensations are new and encourage our creative thinking as we play and move out or our comfort zone. Image 1: Russell and Adam pat a baby T-Rex by  seamusmccauley  is licensed under  CC BY 2.0 . Libraries can stimulate storytelling and evoke imagination as we find our wings to read and write. We can grow by thinking about new concepts and ideas. We enter new time periods, by reading about history, the present and the future. We encounter diverse cultural knowledge and traditions through reading and listening to stories.    ...

As mentioned in the previous blog, an Indigenous Digital Capabilities Framework is needed, which considers context, culture, digital competence, and digital literacy:  Diagram 1: Indigenous Digital Capabilities Framework (Kirkwood, 2020) Indigenous Ways of Being, Belonging, and Knowing are central to scoping an Indigenous Digital Capabilities Framework (Kirkwood, 2020). The context is relationships with Country and Indigenous Peoples' Data Sovereignty. A roadmap of strategies has been developed to support development of an Indigenous Digital Capacity Framework for identified locations, and socio-cultural groups. Roadmap for Building Indigenous Digital Excellence Did you know that in 2016, Inside Policy was instrumental in developing a Digital Excellence Roadmap Towards 2030 ? The roadmap was scoped as a national strategy to identify how to increase Indigenous Australians' participation in the digital economy.  Natalie Walker, Project Director, explains more about Indigenous ...

'DIGITAL' CHILDREN Current issues about 'digital children include the ban on mobile phones in schools, which is soon to be introduced for Queensland, but already in place in other states of Australia. There is concern for the rise in cyber-bullying, which is most prevalent in the primary school age group. Inconsistencies abound for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, and uncertainty around the use of new digital platforms, especially with overseas connections. Parents worry about data harvesting and sensitivities about what they post about children on social media. Some use parent control applications.  The  ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child website addresses, 'What are the best ways of supporting children's participation in digital technologies?'  Many children are referred for occupational therapy with parent/teacher requests around concerns with emotional regulation, sensory modulation, and the need for nature play--with worries ...

Many Bayside residents enjoy fishing on the jetty, rock wall, or near the boat ramp at Wynnum Creek. We take many of the skills for granted in being able to go fishing alone, or with family and friends. This raises opportunities to explore fishing to consider how the occupation can be modified for those with difficulties using conventional methods. Not everyone can clamber over rocks and balance on slippery, wet surfaces. " Sunset Fishing Manly Dam " by  Fletcher Arrastia  is licensed under  CC BY-SA 4.0 .  Occupational therapists refer to 'occupations' as things that people want or need to do, not necessarily paid employment . Fishing may be work, recreation, or a living skill--depending on the meaning and purpose to the individual or community. Being able to fish is a valued occupation for many people who like to get out and socialise with friends. It can be seen as relaxation or freedom to some. The process of activity analysis involves breaking down an activity ...

New Learning and Lifestyle We have moved house and occupational therapy practice to Wynnum-Manly in the beautiful Brisbane Bayside. This area is familiar to me because I grew up at Cannon Hill and have friends still living in the area. I love walking along the waterfront in the mornings, and meeting up for coffee. Referrals are starting to come in for occupational therapy, music, and community cultural development. Sandra enjoying a lifestyle change to the beautiful Bayside I'm now preparing for Term 3 -- investigating local communities, meeting support coordinators/service providers, and identifying gaps in services. I've circulated my new business cards to GPs and health services to request referrals for Medicare, NDIS and private health. Also, I've been visiting playgrounds, toilets, community garden, and checking out access and mobility. Happy to chat about ideas and plans. I bulk-bill Medicare for those who live within 30 minutes drive from my home base at Wynnum Wes...