DD's Playtime

Early Childhood Intervention
Play Therapy
Music and Movement

Is your child having difficulty reaching their goals or milestones?

DDS PLAYTIME CAN HELP!

DDs Playtime is a mobile early intervention service which operates in Central Queensland. Led by the experienced and passionate Donna Purcell, a music-loving early childhood educator with over 25 years of experience, DDs Playtime uses natural play and everyday experiences to help your child reach their full potential. She has extensive training and experience in positive behaviour support and working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We offer mobile and remote therapy services, bringing playtime therapy to your home, community setting, or even virtually through Zoom. Our programs are designed for your child, and we know parents and caregivers are crucial to their development. That’s why we involve you in every step, creating a supportive and collaborative environment for your whole family. We even offer unique energy healing techniques that use music to promote emotional wellbeing.

Early Start Denver Model Play Therapy

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a behavioural therapy for children with autism between the ages of 12-48 months. Parents and therapists use play to build positive and fun relationships. Through play and joint activities, the child is encouraged to boost language, social and cognitive skills. ESDM is based on understanding of normal toddler learning and development and focuses on building positive relationships. Teaching occurs during natural play and everyday activities and uses play to encourage interaction and communication. ESDM therapy can be used in many settings, including at home, at a clinic, or in school. Therapy is provided in both group settings and one-on-one.

Music/sound Therapy

Using the "Magic and Medicine of Music" we delve into the connections between music and the brain. Supporting you to re-member your voice and experiencing music the way you deserve. Vibrational sound tools are used to relax and calm the body. Delivered in individual and small group sessions. DDs also offers fun, active and educational music sessions for children, including babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Circle of Security

The Circle of Security is a relationship-based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. The Circle of Security is a visual map of attachment.to help caregivers connect with the children in their lives. The Circle of Security figure is a central visual used as part of interventions for caregivers, all of which are focused on helping caregivers reflect upon children’s attachment needs in order to promote secure attachment with a child. The Circle of Security Parenting can be delivered in small group and individual sessions.

Learn to Play training

Have you noticed your child struggling, possibly not knowing how to play with other children, not able to regulate their emotions, or possibly getting lost amongst their peers when play becomes complicated? Learn to Play training is designed to assist you, as the parent/caregiver, to come alongside and help your child overcome these struggles in a safe and secure and fun environment. Learn to Play Parent training focuses on the importance you, as the parent/caregiver, are to your child. The influence you have and the relationship that you hold with your child is perfect to facilitate change and skill development.

Donna Purcell

Director

Donna is an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist with over 25 years of experience working with children and families. She holds postgraduate degrees in Learning and Development and Early Childhood Education. Donna spent many years in mainstream education before focusing on special needs, particularly Early Childhood Intervention and Autism. She is an ESDM Practitioner, Circle of Security Facilitator, Passionate Musician and Certified Sound Therapist.

A beautiful story by Shaye

I’m SO proud of you Luke & Ziggy. And the whole of Yeppoon community for helping us spread awareness of autism & for our friends in Yeppoon for making the event possible. Especially April & Tahn!! There’s too many people to mention!! But you all know who you are!

1 week ago we received some of the worst news that my cousins partner & father of their gorgeous kids had committed suicide. I’m originally from Longreach & am very close with my cousin Stef, when we found out the news we started making our way out to Longreach that day. Luke was here supporting Stef & was a good mate of Huey’s as Huey was family to us.
Luke thought about postponing the event but Huey was so excited when he seen us on the news & for Luke to do the run. So Luke said this run is even more important I need to do this for Huey.
With a broken heart & the hardest week Luke still drove back to Yeppoon to do the run. I stayed here in Longreach with Summer because here is where I needed to be with my cousin Stef who has just lost the love of her life.
Please, check in on your mates.
Be kind. Don’t judge.

You can follow Lukes Journey

https://www.facebook.com/shaye.castano

Our greatest battles in life are our own minds you never know what someone is going through.
I miss you so much Huey, we all do. But if you’re reading this. Remember you’re loved & never alone. Message me, message Luke.
Thank you again everyone for all your support & love our families are eternally grateful.
RIP Huey! Luke did it 70km for autism awareness & also suicide awareness.