Do you have a child up to 9 years of age who is living with developmental delay, disability or Autism? Have you noticed that your child has challenges with how they play and move around, take care of themselves, socialise with other children or communicate what they want?
As a parent, you know your child best. If you think that your child may benefit from support to learn life-long skills that will help them to reach their goals, we can help.
There are two ways to access support from Ability Action Australia:
1.
You can directly access the specific therapy service your child needs
To learn more about these services and request support, please refer to our Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology or Positive Behaviour Support pages, or see all our services here.
or
2.
You can use our Key Worker Model to access NDIS Early Childhood Support.
This sees one person (the Key Worker) support you and your child to get the support they need, drawing on other allied health professionals as needed. This model is explained below.
Let’s talk about the best options for your child and family
What is NDIS Early Childhood Support?
NDIS Early Childhood Support is help for children and parents or carers. It is available during the important early years of a child’s life, up to 9 years of age. The aim is to help you and your child learn life-long skills that will help your child reach their goals. The earlier these skills are learnt, the better.
Early Childhood Support is delivered by a Key Worker
This Key Worker Model is the NDIS’ preferred way for providing support to children, as it has been shown to be the most effective way to support young children and their parents and carers.
What is a Key Worker?
A Key Worker is a qualified allied health practitioner or a teacher with specific experience and skills in working with children and families at this important time of a child’s development. They are responsible for delivering NDIS Early Childhood Support.
Having one person do this makes it much easier for you and your child.
- You will only have to tell your story once
- Your Key Worker will get to know you, your child, and your family
- They will work sessions into your routines and lifestyle
- They will be your one point of contact for support for your child
- They will arrange other support providers when needed
- They will collaborate with people involved in your child’s care to ensure a coordinated approach that best supports your child, where everyone is on the same page
How will a Key Worker help you and your child?
A Key Worker helps you and your child to get the support that they need. For example:
Support for your child to help with:
- Mobility and movement
- Play and socialising
- Everyday activities and routines
- Communication
Support for you:
- How to best support your child
- What supports are available
- Understanding the NDIS
- Maximising your funding
A Key Worker is also responsible for collaborating with people in your child’s life, such as GPs and health providers, teachers or educators, and activity or sports group facilitators. They also organise other Ability Action Australia clinicians to support your child, such as an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Who will be your key worker?
To make a good match between your child, your family and the Key Worker, Ability Action Australia will take into account location, lifestyle, hobbies and interests.
Once assigned to your family, the Key Worker will:
- Get to know you and your child to help determine what support is needed and how this could be delivered.
- Work on various developmental skills and goals with your child at the same time (for example, toileting and communication).
- Coach and upskill you and other people involved in your child’s care, so that there is a consistent and coordinated approach to supporting your child in any setting.
- Be the key contact for you to help navigate the NDIS and access appropriate supports for your child.
- Be a part of, and take the lead role, in a supportive team wrapped around your child, which may include other Allied Health Professionals (such as Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Physiotherapists) and Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners.
- Conduct all interactions with you and your child, from the initial contact, interviews, assessments, goal setting, and reports.
Want to learn more? Let’s talk about the best options for your child and family
Child Safe Organisation
Ability Action Australia is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation. We align with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations which includes ensuring that the safety, wellbeing, and rights of children and young people are upheld. If you would like a copy of our child safety and wellbeing policy, please email a request to hello@abilityactionaustralia.com.au
NDIS therapeutic, positive behaviour and employment supports
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a way of supporting people with permanent and significant disability. The NDIS is designed to give individuals greater choice and control over when, where and how their funded supports are provided. The specific support and funding available is based on each individual’s specific needs. You can find out more about what therapeutic supports are funded by referring to the NDIS website.
Ability Action Australia provides therapeutic, positive behaviour and employment supports across Australia.
