Speech Pathology
Connect Allied Health speech pathologists are Certified Practising members of Speech Pathology Australia. Our passionate and skilled speech pathologists use a range of evidence-based approaches to support participants to achieve their full potential.
Speech pathology for children
Our paediatric speech pathologists are passionate about working with children to target the following areas:
- Speech (intelligibility/clarity).
- Expressive language (use of words, sentences, gestures and writing to convey meaning).
- Receptive language (understanding).
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC), e.g., iPad.
- Fussy eating, problematic feeding and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
- Reading/writing (literacy).
- Diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Education for parents and carers to maximise learning outcomes
Your child may benefit from speech pathology if they:
- Doesn’t laugh, squeal or look toward sound at 6 months of age.
- Have limited babbling at 9 months of age.
- Do not point or use gestures at 12 months of age.
- No first word, or doesn’t respond to “no” or “bye-bye” at 15 months of age.
- Do not use at least 6-10 words consistently by 18 months of age.
- Do not follow simple instructions by 20 months of age.
- Have a vocab of less than 50 words or have a reduced interest in social interaction by 24 months of age.
- Do not use simple sentences by 36 months of age.
Other Concerns
- Picky/fussy eater, limited to 4-5 foods, gagging on certain textures
- Difficulties with transitions
- Repetitive or perseverative behaviours
- Nil interest in communicating
- Drooling excessively
- Stutters consistently, for longer than 6 months
Speech pathology for adults
Connect Allied Health provide speech pathology services for adults who have a disability or post a range of medical issues, including intellectual disability, stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease), and many others, to target a range of areas including:
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
- Speech (intelligibility/clarity).
- Expressive language (use of words, sentences, gestures and writing to convey meaning).
- Receptive language (understanding).
- Voice.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC), e.g., iPad.
You may benefit from speech pathology if you:
- Cough when eating or drinking (referred to as aspiration).
- Have difficulties ‘finding’ the right words.
- Have difficulties understanding language.
- Have unclear speech (reduced intelligibility).
- We can provide mobile services to visit your home or Residential Aged Care facility.
Occupational Therapy
Connect Allied Health occupational therapists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). We are dedicated to promoting and supporting effective participation for children and adults in the occupations of everyday life.
Occupational therapy for children
Our paediatric occupational therapists are passionate about working with children and are skilled to target the following areas:
- Gross motor skills (whole body movement involving the large core stabilising muscles of the body to perform everyday functions, such as standing, walking, running, and sitting upright. They also include hand-eye coordination, e.g., throwing, catching and kicking).
- Fine motor skills (coordination of hands and fingers, e.g., doing up buttons and zips, using pencils, writing, and tying shoelaces).
- Sensory processing (refers to the way the brain receives, organises and responds to sensory input in order to behave in a meaningful & consistent manner, e.g., sensitivities to loud noises or light, movement seeking, and meltdowns).
- Attending and concentrating.
- Self-care tasks, e.g., toileting and dressing.
- Education for parents and carers.
Your child may benefit from occupational therapy if they:
- Have difficulties walking smoothly by 2 years.
- Have difficulties holding a crayon with thumb and finger (not fist) or eating without assistance by age 2-3 years.
- Unable to catch using body by 3 years.
- Have difficulties snipping paper by 3-4 years.
- Unable to kick a ball forward by 4 years.
- Have difficulties writing their own name by 4-5 years.
- Cannot draw basic pictures by 5-6 years.
Occupational therapy for adults
Occupational therapy can offer solutions to independence, participation, engagement and well-being for adults. Our occupational therapists are passionate about helping participants improve their mobility and quality of life, and can support the following areas:
- Activities of daily living: Self-care activities such as showering, eating, and dressing.
- Household and community functioning: Budgeting, shopping.
- Education and work: Participate effectively in learning/work environments.
- Leisure, play and social participation: Positive interaction and access to community.
- Minor home modifications: Assess and modify participants’ homes and/or community environments to improve safety and independence.
- Adaptive equipment: Prescribe and educate participants and carers in the use of adaptive equipment to assist function.
- Independence: Help participants regain or enhance their daily lives after specific events such as hip replacement or stroke.
You may benefit from occupational therapy if you:
- Would like to improve independence in activities of daily living, such as showering, toileting, dressing, cooking and self-feeding.
- Are at risk of falls or have reduced mobility.
- Have difficulties with balance and coordination.
- Require assistive devices to enhance comfort, safety and independence with day-to-day tasks.
Developmental Education
Our Developmental Educators are members of Developmental Educators Australia Incorporated (DEAI).
Developmental education for children
Developmental educators can:
- Promote the physical and emotional well-being of children with disabilities.
- Undertake developmental and functional behavioural assessments.
- Develop and implement positive behaviour supports.
- Teach functional life skills including social, communication, self-care, daily living, etc.
- Work and liaise with families, service providers, allied health professionals, and other key stakeholders to enhance the choice, social inclusion and quality of life for children with disability.
- Supporting children to access meaningful activities and develop meaningful relationships.
- Support families, caregivers and key stakeholders to understand the impact of disability on a person’s daily functioning.
Developmental education for adults
Developmental educators can:
- Promote the physical and emotional well-being of adults with disabilities.
- Complete functional behavioural assessments.
- Develop and implement positive behaviour supports.
- Support functional life skills including social, communication, self-care, daily living, recreation, and employment.
- Assist people with a disability to set and attain individual goals.
- Work with families, service providers, allied health professionals, and community members to enhance the choice, social inclusion and quality of life for people with disability.
- Support adults with disabilities to transition to, access and maintain meaningful vocational experiences.
- Help families, caregivers and key stakeholders to understand the impact of disability on a person’s daily functioning.
Podiatry
Connect Allied Health podiatrists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Our dedicated and passionate podiatrists are recognised as important members of the health care team in preventing and managing conditions affecting the feet, legs and related structures
Connect Allied Health podiatrists:
- Treat conditions resulting from bone and joint disorders such as arthritis and soft-tissue and muscular pathologies, as well as neurological and circulatory diseases.
- Diagnose and treat skin and nail disorders, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.
- Diagnose and treat foot injuries and infections gained through sport or other activities.
- Support mobility through ongoing monitoring of foot health, in particular of those with circulation problems and diabetes.
Physiotherapy
Connect Allied Health physiotherapists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). We are committed to optimising muscle and joint function and maximising movement and mobility to improve independence and quality of life.
For Children
Children have specific needs relating to their physical development. We are committed to optimising a child’s movement by maximising muscle and joint function in the growing body.
Connect Allied Health Physiotherapists:
- Support infants and children with a range of medical conditions including gross motor delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Acquired Brain Injury.
- Work with children and their families to improve gross motor skills, such as sitting, standing, and walking and improve flexibility, strength, and endurance.
- Develop, implement and modify individual therapy plans.
Your child may benefit from physiotherapy if they:
- Feel ‘floppy’ or ‘stiff’ with handling.
- Do not tolerate ‘tummy time’ well by 4 months of age.
- Are not sitting by 9 months, not trying to stand up by 12 months and not walking by 18 months.
- Have an unusual walk or foot posture.
- Are clumsy with gross motor skills (running, jumping or ball skills).
We can visit your home, school or kindergarten.
For Adults
Connect Allied Health physiotherapists are passionate about improving mobility, independence and quality of life, and are qualified to work in partnership with clients with a variety of medical conditions, including stroke, neurological disease and frailty to:
- Restore, maintain and improve mobility and movements.
- Increase physical endurance.
- Manage and reduce pain, including in relation to chronic diseases.
- Alleviate muscle rigidity and in inflammation of nerves and conjunctive tissues after illnesses, traumas, and injuries.
- Treat and manage posture and gait disorders.
- Prevent falls.
- Treat back and joint pain.
You may benefit from physiotherapy if you:
- Have sustained an injury.
- Have muscle and joint weakness and aches.
- Have difficulties balancing or are at risk of falling.
- Would like advice regarding exercise or improving strength, fitness or flexibility.
We can visit your home or residential aged care facility.
Autism Diagnostic Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder that impacts development across the lifespan.
Social communication, restricted interests and behaviours and sensory processing differences are the main areas of development affected. The cause of ASD is currently not known.
The term ‘spectrum’ is used to indicate that no two people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are the same. This is why it is important to ensure that intervention is individualised to achieve best possible outcomes.
Helping someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder begins with acceptance, knowledge and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the individual.
Does a client need an assessment?
The following signs could be indicators of ASD which may impact someone’s behaviour and development. No single indicator typically indicates ASD, instead a person would present with a number of the following indicators.
Social communication and social interaction across contexts:
- Abnormal social approach, intrusive touching of others
- Failure of back and forth conversation, failure to respond when name called, does not initiate conversation, one-sided conversations
- Reduced sharing of interests, lack of showing
- Reduced sharing of emotions, lack of responsive social smile, failure to share enjoyment, does not show pleasure in social interactions
- Poor social imagination
- Impairment in the social use of eye contact
- Impairment in use and understanding of body postures and gestures
- Abnormal volume, pitch, intonation in speech
- Impairment in use and understanding of facial expressions
- Difficulties taking another person’s perspective
- Difficulties adjusting behaviour to suit social contexts
- Difficulties making friends, reduced interest in others
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities:
- Echolalia (repetition of words, phrases, or more extensive songs and dialog), repetitive vocalisations (such as repetitive sounds, humming)
- Hand flapping, spinning, toe walking, excessive teeth grinding
- Non-functional play with objects, lining up toys and objects, repetitively opening and closing doors or repetitively turning lights on and off
- Adherence to unusual routine
- Excessive resistance to change
- Rigid thinking
- Highly fixated interests
- High or low reactivity to sensory input (sound, smell, touch, taste, visual)
What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment?
In South Australia, a formal ASD diagnosis requires two accredited clinicians (psychologist, speech pathologist, psychiatrist or a paediatrician). Assessments can be conducted by a team of two clinicians in one setting (dual assessment), or by two individual clinicians across different settings.
Assessments involve interactions with and observations of the person, as well as gathering information from caregivers and educators. The information is then carefully considered against the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Assessment Process
Connect Allied Health offers both a dual assessment and can also work with clinicians in other settings. A dual assessment is completed over one session and is typically 4 hours in duration. Dual assessment locations are in
Norwood and Hallett Cove.
Following information gathering, clinicians determine whether the client meets the criteria for a diagnosis of ASD. Following a short break, a feedback session is provided to discuss results and recommendations on the same day. A full, comprehensive report is then completed and provided to the family, typically 2 weeks following the assessment.
Why is getting a diagnosis important?
Receiving a diagnosis of ASD provides information regarding an individual’s strengths and differences, which can help clients and families better understand certain behaviours or areas of difficulty. This in turn can facilitate improved support for individuals with ASD. It can also assist access to funding, including funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Positive Behaviour Support
Positive behaviour support considers individualised strategies for people with a disability that are responsive to the person’s needs, in a way that reduces the occurrence and impact of behaviours of concern, minimises the use of restrictive practices and improves quality of life.
Connect Allied Health focus on person-centred interventions to address the underlying causes of behaviours of concern, or challenging behaviours, while safeguarding the dignity and quality of life of people with a disability who require specialist behaviour support.
These arrangements will include undertaking a functional behavioural assessment, then developing an NDIS behaviour support plan containing evidence-based, proactive strategies that meet the needs of the participant.
Connect Allied Heath are dedicated to achieving the following outcomes:
Each participant accesses behaviour support that is appropriate to their needs which incorporates evidence-informed practice and complies with relevant legislation and policy frameworks.
Each participant is only subject to a restrictive practice that meets any state and territory authorisation (however described) requirements and the relevant requirements and safeguards outlined in Commonwealth legislation and policy.
Each participant’s quality of life is maintained and improved by tailored, evidence-informed behaviour support plans that are responsive to their needs.
Each participant’s behavior support plan is implemented effectively to meet the participant’s behaviour support needs.
Each participant has a current behaviour support plan that reflects their needs, improves their quality of life and supports their progress towards positive change. The plan progresses towards the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices, where these are in place for the participant.
Each participant that is subject to an emergency or unauthorised use of a restrictive practice has the use of that practice reported and reviewed.
Each participant with an immediate need for a behaviour support plan receives an interim behaviour support plan which minimises the risk to the participant and others.
Each participant is only subject to a restrictive practice that is reported to the Commission.
Each participant has a current behaviour support plan that reflects their needs, and works towards improving their quality of life, reducing behaviours of concern, and reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices.
Each participant with an immediate need for a behaviour support plan receives an interim behaviour support plan based on evidence-informed practice, which minimises risk to the participant and others.
- Speech Pathology
-
Speech Pathology
Connect Allied Health speech pathologists are Certified Practising members of Speech Pathology Australia. Our passionate and skilled speech pathologists use a range of evidence-based approaches to support participants to achieve their full potential.
Speech pathology for children
Our paediatric speech pathologists are passionate about working with children to target the following areas:
- Speech (intelligibility/clarity).
- Expressive language (use of words, sentences, gestures and writing to convey meaning).
- Receptive language (understanding).
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC), e.g., iPad.
- Fussy eating, problematic feeding and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
- Reading/writing (literacy).
- Diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Education for parents and carers to maximise learning outcomes
Your child may benefit from speech pathology if they:
- Doesn’t laugh, squeal or look toward sound at 6 months of age.
- Have limited babbling at 9 months of age.
- Do not point or use gestures at 12 months of age.
- No first word, or doesn’t respond to “no” or “bye-bye” at 15 months of age.
- Do not use at least 6-10 words consistently by 18 months of age.
- Do not follow simple instructions by 20 months of age.
- Have a vocab of less than 50 words or have a reduced interest in social interaction by 24 months of age.
- Do not use simple sentences by 36 months of age.
Other Concerns
- Picky/fussy eater, limited to 4-5 foods, gagging on certain textures
- Difficulties with transitions
- Repetitive or perseverative behaviours
- Nil interest in communicating
- Drooling excessively
- Stutters consistently, for longer than 6 months
Speech pathology for adults
Connect Allied Health provide speech pathology services for adults who have a disability or post a range of medical issues, including intellectual disability, stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease), and many others, to target a range of areas including:
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
- Speech (intelligibility/clarity).
- Expressive language (use of words, sentences, gestures and writing to convey meaning).
- Receptive language (understanding).
- Voice.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC), e.g., iPad.
You may benefit from speech pathology if you:
- Cough when eating or drinking (referred to as aspiration).
- Have difficulties ‘finding’ the right words.
- Have difficulties understanding language.
- Have unclear speech (reduced intelligibility).
- We can provide mobile services to visit your home or Residential Aged Care facility.
-
Occupational
Therapy -
Occupational Therapy
Connect Allied Health occupational therapists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). We are dedicated to promoting and supporting effective participation for children and adults in the occupations of everyday life.
Occupational therapy for children
Our paediatric occupational therapists are passionate about working with children and are skilled to target the following areas:
- Gross motor skills (whole body movement involving the large core stabilising muscles of the body to perform everyday functions, such as standing, walking, running, and sitting upright. They also include hand-eye coordination, e.g., throwing, catching and kicking).
- Fine motor skills (coordination of hands and fingers, e.g., doing up buttons and zips, using pencils, writing, and tying shoelaces).
- Sensory processing (refers to the way the brain receives, organises and responds to sensory input in order to behave in a meaningful & consistent manner, e.g., sensitivities to loud noises or light, movement seeking, and meltdowns).
- Attending and concentrating.
- Self-care tasks, e.g., toileting and dressing.
- Education for parents and carers.
Your child may benefit from occupational therapy if they:
- Have difficulties walking smoothly by 2 years.
- Have difficulties holding a crayon with thumb and finger (not fist) or eating without assistance by age 2-3 years.
- Unable to catch using body by 3 years.
- Have difficulties snipping paper by 3-4 years.
- Unable to kick a ball forward by 4 years.
- Have difficulties writing their own name by 4-5 years.
- Cannot draw basic pictures by 5-6 years.
Occupational therapy for adults
Occupational therapy can offer solutions to independence, participation, engagement and well-being for adults. Our occupational therapists are passionate about helping participants improve their mobility and quality of life, and can support the following areas:
- Activities of daily living: Self-care activities such as showering, eating, and dressing.
- Household and community functioning: Budgeting, shopping.
- Education and work: Participate effectively in learning/work environments.
- Leisure, play and social participation: Positive interaction and access to community.
- Minor home modifications: Assess and modify participants’ homes and/or community environments to improve safety and independence.
- Adaptive equipment: Prescribe and educate participants and carers in the use of adaptive equipment to assist function.
- Independence: Help participants regain or enhance their daily lives after specific events such as hip replacement or stroke.
You may benefit from occupational therapy if you:
- Would like to improve independence in activities of daily living, such as showering, toileting, dressing, cooking and self-feeding.
- Are at risk of falls or have reduced mobility.
- Have difficulties with balance and coordination.
- Require assistive devices to enhance comfort, safety and independence with day-to-day tasks.
-
Developmental
Education -
Developmental Education
Our Developmental Educators are members of Developmental Educators Australia Incorporated (DEAI).
Developmental education for children
Developmental educators can:
- Promote the physical and emotional well-being of children with disabilities.
- Undertake developmental and functional behavioural assessments.
- Develop and implement positive behaviour supports.
- Teach functional life skills including social, communication, self-care, daily living, etc.
- Work and liaise with families, service providers, allied health professionals, and other key stakeholders to enhance the choice, social inclusion and quality of life for children with disability.
- Supporting children to access meaningful activities and develop meaningful relationships.
- Support families, caregivers and key stakeholders to understand the impact of disability on a person’s daily functioning.
Developmental education for adults
Developmental educators can:
- Promote the physical and emotional well-being of adults with disabilities.
- Complete functional behavioural assessments.
- Develop and implement positive behaviour supports.
- Support functional life skills including social, communication, self-care, daily living, recreation, and employment.
- Assist people with a disability to set and attain individual goals.
- Work with families, service providers, allied health professionals, and community members to enhance the choice, social inclusion and quality of life for people with disability.
- Support adults with disabilities to transition to, access and maintain meaningful vocational experiences.
- Help families, caregivers and key stakeholders to understand the impact of disability on a person’s daily functioning.
- Podiatry
-
Podiatry
Connect Allied Health podiatrists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Our dedicated and passionate podiatrists are recognised as important members of the health care team in preventing and managing conditions affecting the feet, legs and related structures
Connect Allied Health podiatrists:
- Treat conditions resulting from bone and joint disorders such as arthritis and soft-tissue and muscular pathologies, as well as neurological and circulatory diseases.
- Diagnose and treat skin and nail disorders, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.
- Diagnose and treat foot injuries and infections gained through sport or other activities.
- Support mobility through ongoing monitoring of foot health, in particular of those with circulation problems and diabetes.
- Physiotherapy
-
Physiotherapy
Connect Allied Health physiotherapists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). We are committed to optimising muscle and joint function and maximising movement and mobility to improve independence and quality of life.
For Children
Children have specific needs relating to their physical development. We are committed to optimising a child’s movement by maximising muscle and joint function in the growing body.
Connect Allied Health Physiotherapists:
- Support infants and children with a range of medical conditions including gross motor delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Acquired Brain Injury.
- Work with children and their families to improve gross motor skills, such as sitting, standing, and walking and improve flexibility, strength, and endurance.
- Develop, implement and modify individual therapy plans.
Your child may benefit from physiotherapy if they:
- Feel ‘floppy’ or ‘stiff’ with handling.
- Do not tolerate ‘tummy time’ well by 4 months of age.
- Are not sitting by 9 months, not trying to stand up by 12 months and not walking by 18 months.
- Have an unusual walk or foot posture.
- Are clumsy with gross motor skills (running, jumping or ball skills).
We can visit your home, school or kindergarten.
For Adults
Connect Allied Health physiotherapists are passionate about improving mobility, independence and quality of life, and are qualified to work in partnership with clients with a variety of medical conditions, including stroke, neurological disease and frailty to:
- Restore, maintain and improve mobility and movements.
- Increase physical endurance.
- Manage and reduce pain, including in relation to chronic diseases.
- Alleviate muscle rigidity and in inflammation of nerves and conjunctive tissues after illnesses, traumas, and injuries.
- Treat and manage posture and gait disorders.
- Prevent falls.
- Treat back and joint pain.
You may benefit from physiotherapy if you:
- Have sustained an injury.
- Have muscle and joint weakness and aches.
- Have difficulties balancing or are at risk of falling.
- Would like advice regarding exercise or improving strength, fitness or flexibility.
We can visit your home or residential aged care facility.
-
Autism Diagnostic
Assessment -
Autism Diagnostic Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder that impacts development across the lifespan.
Social communication, restricted interests and behaviours and sensory processing differences are the main areas of development affected. The cause of ASD is currently not known.
The term ‘spectrum’ is used to indicate that no two people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are the same. This is why it is important to ensure that intervention is individualised to achieve best possible outcomes.
Helping someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder begins with acceptance, knowledge and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the individual.
Does a client need an assessment?
The following signs could be indicators of ASD which may impact someone’s behaviour and development. No single indicator typically indicates ASD, instead a person would present with a number of the following indicators.
Social communication and social interaction across contexts:
- Abnormal social approach, intrusive touching of others
- Failure of back and forth conversation, failure to respond when name called, does not initiate conversation, one-sided conversations
- Reduced sharing of interests, lack of showing
- Reduced sharing of emotions, lack of responsive social smile, failure to share enjoyment, does not show pleasure in social interactions
- Poor social imagination
- Impairment in the social use of eye contact
- Impairment in use and understanding of body postures and gestures
- Abnormal volume, pitch, intonation in speech
- Impairment in use and understanding of facial expressions
- Difficulties taking another person’s perspective
- Difficulties adjusting behaviour to suit social contexts
- Difficulties making friends, reduced interest in others
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities:
- Echolalia (repetition of words, phrases, or more extensive songs and dialog), repetitive vocalisations (such as repetitive sounds, humming)
- Hand flapping, spinning, toe walking, excessive teeth grinding
- Non-functional play with objects, lining up toys and objects, repetitively opening and closing doors or repetitively turning lights on and off
- Adherence to unusual routine
- Excessive resistance to change
- Rigid thinking
- Highly fixated interests
- High or low reactivity to sensory input (sound, smell, touch, taste, visual)
What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment?
In South Australia, a formal ASD diagnosis requires two accredited clinicians (psychologist, speech pathologist, psychiatrist or a paediatrician). Assessments can be conducted by a team of two clinicians in one setting (dual assessment), or by two individual clinicians across different settings.
Assessments involve interactions with and observations of the person, as well as gathering information from caregivers and educators. The information is then carefully considered against the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Assessment Process
Connect Allied Health offers both a dual assessment and can also work with clinicians in other settings. A dual assessment is completed over one session and is typically 4 hours in duration. Dual assessment locations are in
Norwood and Hallett Cove.Following information gathering, clinicians determine whether the client meets the criteria for a diagnosis of ASD. Following a short break, a feedback session is provided to discuss results and recommendations on the same day. A full, comprehensive report is then completed and provided to the family, typically 2 weeks following the assessment.
Why is getting a diagnosis important?
Receiving a diagnosis of ASD provides information regarding an individual’s strengths and differences, which can help clients and families better understand certain behaviours or areas of difficulty. This in turn can facilitate improved support for individuals with ASD. It can also assist access to funding, including funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
-
Positive Behaviour
Support -
Positive Behaviour Support
Positive behaviour support considers individualised strategies for people with a disability that are responsive to the person’s needs, in a way that reduces the occurrence and impact of behaviours of concern, minimises the use of restrictive practices and improves quality of life.
Connect Allied Health focus on person-centred interventions to address the underlying causes of behaviours of concern, or challenging behaviours, while safeguarding the dignity and quality of life of people with a disability who require specialist behaviour support.
These arrangements will include undertaking a functional behavioural assessment, then developing an NDIS behaviour support plan containing evidence-based, proactive strategies that meet the needs of the participant.
Connect Allied Heath are dedicated to achieving the following outcomes:
Each participant accesses behaviour support that is appropriate to their needs which incorporates evidence-informed practice and complies with relevant legislation and policy frameworks.
Each participant is only subject to a restrictive practice that meets any state and territory authorisation (however described) requirements and the relevant requirements and safeguards outlined in Commonwealth legislation and policy.
Each participant’s quality of life is maintained and improved by tailored, evidence-informed behaviour support plans that are responsive to their needs.
Each participant’s behavior support plan is implemented effectively to meet the participant’s behaviour support needs.
Each participant has a current behaviour support plan that reflects their needs, improves their quality of life and supports their progress towards positive change. The plan progresses towards the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices, where these are in place for the participant.
Each participant that is subject to an emergency or unauthorised use of a restrictive practice has the use of that practice reported and reviewed.
Each participant with an immediate need for a behaviour support plan receives an interim behaviour support plan which minimises the risk to the participant and others.
Each participant is only subject to a restrictive practice that is reported to the Commission.
Each participant has a current behaviour support plan that reflects their needs, and works towards improving their quality of life, reducing behaviours of concern, and reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices.
Each participant with an immediate need for a behaviour support plan receives an interim behaviour support plan based on evidence-informed practice, which minimises risk to the participant and others.
Our Process
2
Evaluation
Discuss individual needs, goals and preferences
3
Assistance
Discuss options for funding
4
Placement
Client is paired with appropriate clinician according to individual needs
5
Schedule
Confirm preferred days and times for therapy
6
Confirmation
Sign consent forms and service agreements
