Top 3 Sunshine Coast Shops for Purchasing Therapy Aids and Assistive Technology for Your Child
As Occupational Therapists working with kids with complex disabilities we often recommend a range of therapy aids (or as the NDIS would say “low cost assistive technology” items) to support your child to reach their NDIS goals. This can include everything from items to support sensory processing challenges (hello fidgets & noise cancelling headphones) to daily tasks like eating and drinking (specialised cutlery anyone?). We’re regularly asked by parents and carers where to find the items in our OT toolboxes so we thought we’d shout out to some of our favourite destinations on the Sunshine Coast.
1: Your Capability Store
- Founded by a local family frustrated with finding and trialling products for their own daughter with special needs, this treasure trove tucked in the back of Maroochydore offers trials and is a very understanding and family friendly.
- Products Offered: Specialised in kids AT, they stock a wide range of specialty items (e.g., robust toys for fine motor and cognitive development, sensory tools, continence aids, specialised cutlery, chewy items and more). They will even let you try before you buy to make sure that you and your child are 100% satisfied. They really “get it”!
- Location: Visit in in store at 100 Enterprise Street, Kunda Park or shop via their website: https://yourcapabilitystore.com.au
The husband and wife team behind Your Capability Store!
2: Lakeside Mobility
- Lakeside Mobility, located at Birtinya and Gympie, is committed to offering quality, functional and safe rehabilitation and home health care products for sale and hire. Their innovative showrooms allow you to see products in a home-like setting.
- Products offered: While mostly catering to an older demographic, there are still plenty of items suitable for children and teenagers including daily living aids such as the throne toilet rails and other mid-cost items like hi-lo beds and pressure mattresses (although you’ll need you OT to help select and prescribe these for you, so contact us today to get this process underway).
- Location: visit at 2/1 Metier Linkway Birtinya or Gympie.
Lakeside Mobility Showroom
3: Big W, KMart & Bunnings
- Plenty of “mainstream “ products also make great solutions for disability related functional problems, and buying off the shelf from these big retailers can be great value for money and easy too (did someone say click & collect!!)
- Products offered: Well just about anything, but we are often recommending rubber threshold ramps or the family toilet seat, Step stools or silicone baking mat to stop things slipping from your wheelchair tray and more!
- Locations: Maroochydore, Noosa, Caloundra, Nambour, Kawana…
As OT’s , we understand the value and importance of assistive technology in improving the lives of children with disabilities. We encourage you to explore these options to find the best fit for your child's needs.
Of course, any supports purchased using your NDIS funds must meet the rules set by the NDIA including the “reasonable and necessary” criteria. So always check this yourself or with your Plan Manager before purchasing and when in doubt consult your ECEI coordinator from BushKids or your LAC at Carers Queensland.
If you’d like more individualised support on choosing the best solution to help your child to increase their independence and live their best life, book in with one of our experienced Assistive Technology Occupational Therapists today!