THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST WHO BUILDS NEURO-AFFIRMING, TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY ENVIRONMENTS A journey creating therapy space based on paediatric neuroscience and psychology
With
Rochelle Mutton,
Director, Founder & Clinical Lead OT
Motivate Kids, Adelaide South Australia & Occupational Therapy Australia member
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Broadview, South Australia | May 2025
Rochelle Mutton is a visionary leader and paediatric occupational therapist, best known for her work in creating neuro-affirming, trauma-informed therapy environments that empower children and families. As the Founder and Lead OT of Motivate Kids in South Australia, she has grown the practice over 8 years from a two-person team into a thriving organisation of over 40 staff across three purpose designed studios.
She pioneered the design and development of the Motivate Kids studio in Broadview, awarded the 2024 HIA-CSR South Australian Housing Award for Best Small Commercial Project. The facility sets a new benchmark for therapeutic environments for children, combining research-informed design with a deep understanding of regulation, sensory and developmental needs.
Grounded in clinical excellence and guided by a relational, values-led philosophy, Rochelle has led the development of holistic, evidence-informed services that extend beyond traditional therapy models—including Motivate Education, Motivate Internship, and programs that build both community and workforce capacity.
With expertise in sensory integration and attachment-based therapy, she mentors the next generation of therapists, advocates for sustainable, values-led service delivery, and collaborates on emerging research to shape the future of paediatric therapy.
At the heart of Rochelle’s work lies a commitment to connection and compassion—ensuring that every child feels safe, seen, and supported.
Source: Supplied and adapted
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South Australia prioritises preventive health
On 28th November 2024, the SA Parliament passed legislation to make preventive health a key part of South Australian health system for the first time, through a new agency aptly named Preventive Health SA.
Preventive Health SA will lead evidence-informed and innovative action to prevent and reduce the burden of non-communicable health conditions and improve health equity across the South Australia population.
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Stroke care advances in translated research
New nurse-led protocols for stroke patients, based on ACU research, led by the Nursing Research Institute, have resulted in changes to policy, guidelines and clinical practice in Europe and Australia. The protocols were developed through the Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) Trial (published in the Lancet, 2011) to manage fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing (FeSS) post-stroke.
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Sovereign capability uplifted
Skilled labour, in particular skilled in the manufacture of MTP products, namely competency in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), was identified as one of the key priorities, according to Jarrod Belcher, Director of the REDI Program at MTPConnect. Through a competitive process, MTPConnect selected additional industry training providers to deliver new programs addressing key skills gaps in the sector workforce.
Launched in September 2022, one of these programs is GMP Uplift developed by the Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence (CBE). CBE bring experience across large and small Biologics, Pharmaceuticals and Regenerative Medicine companies, both in consulting and GMP related enterprise training. CBE staff also have extensive experience in GMP operations, compliance, auditing and QMS design, a wide industry network for guest lecturers and readily available case studies.
