Allowah Early Intervention and Therapy Services can help your child to develop early skills in movement, communication, play, feeding and self-care and improve your confidence in being able to enhance your child’s development. We will also assist with smooth transition into preschool and school.
Allowah Early Intervention & Therapy Services are a complimentary service to the Hospital. Allowah Early Intervention & Therapy Services are outpatient services tailored to individual children and young people with a disability, using a transdisciplinary approach to target the key areas of development for the child, including movement, self-care, communication, feeding and swallowing, and independence skills, with the aim of achieving the best outcome for the child or young person.
Children who are admitted to Allowah Presbyterian Children’s Hospital do not receive individual physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech pathology. Parents may access these services in addition to the assessments etc provided to in-patients through the Allowah Early Intervention & Therapy Service.
The services operate between 8.30am and 4.30pm weekdays during school terms.
The Therapy Services Team
Our Occupational Therapist will help with fine motor skills, play and self help skills such as dressing and toileting.
Our Physiotherapist will help with motor skills such as balance, sitting, crawling and walking, and respiratory health.
Please enquire about Speech Pathology and Dietitian consultations.
In conjunction with Allowah Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, we are also able to provide access to specialist clinics.
How are the services provided?
Our Therapy Services are provided in way that allows parents and carers to work with the team at Allowah.
Therapy is generally provided on an individual basis with the option of being in a group of children with similar needs.
Children are generally seen at the Allowah facilities in Dundas Valley. Visits to home, school and preschool can be arranged if required.
Does the service work together with other professionals children see?
We work collaboratively with disability service partners in the community including:
- Family and Community Service
- Paediatric hospital clinicians
- Community paediatricians and GPs
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance
- Northcott Disability Services
- Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
- Schools, preschools and long day care centres
- Community Health Centres
- Private therapists
The team at Allowah EI & T Services will assist your child to transition to other educational and therapy services as the need arises.
Costs
Allowah Early Intervention and Therapy Services does not receive direct government funding. The cost of sessions can be covered by Better Start / NDIS funding and in some instances Medicare rebates or Private Health Fund refunds, or parents may choose to pay the cost.
Who is eligible for Better Start funding?
Children diagnosed with one of the following may be eligible for Better Start funding:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Deafness/blindness
- Down syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome with full mutation
- Hearing impairment
- Sight impairment
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Williams syndrome
- Angelman syndrome
- Kabuki syndrome
- Smith-Magenis syndrome
- CHARGE syndrome
- Cornelia de Lange syndrome
- Cri du Chat syndrome
- Microcephaly
- Retts disorder
Contact Better Start to find out if your child is eligible for up to $12,000 Early Intervention Funding www.betterstart.net.au
Indicative costs
CENTRE BASED INITIAL THERAPY ASSESSMENT
$240 per session
An hour long assessment with one member of the therapy team. Parents can request physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech pathologist.
CENTRE BASED MULTIDISCIPLINARY INITIAL ASSESSMENT
$340 per session
An hour long assessment with more than one member of the therapy team. Parents can request physiotherapist, occupational therapist and/ or speech pathologist.
CENTRE BASED THERAPY
$120 per session
This includes a 45 minute therapy session with one therapist. The session is recorded as an hour (15 minutes write up and planning for the next session is added). Individual goals will be decided with you for your child and email and telephone support is offered.
CENTRE BASED MULTIDISCIPLINARY THERAPY
$210 per session
This includes a 45 minute therapy session provided by two therapists (physio, occupational therapist, speech pathologist). The session is recorded as an hour (15 minutes write up and planning for the next session is added). Individual goals will be decided with you for your child and email and telephone support is offered.
CASTING/ SPLINTING
$120 per session (plus the cost of materials)
This includes measurement and manufacture of cast/ splint by the occupational therapist or physiotherapist.
HOME OR SCHOOL BASED INITIAL ASSESSMENT (15km radius)
$360 per session
An hour long assessment with one of the therapy team at home, school or other community location. Parents can request physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech pathologist.
HOME OR SCHOOL BASED THERAPY (15km radius)
To find out more
To discuss your child’s needs or make an appointment to see the team contact:
Maura Hanney – Physiotherapist
On 02 8877 3400 or at physio@allowah.org.au
