Therapy Assistant

Hear our director Zara chat about our unique "Ready for Prep" Group therapy program, suitable for children due to commence prep in 2024.

We're here to talk...

Schedule a 15 minute phone consultation, which is 100% free
We're here to answer any and all of your questions and concerns
We'd be delighted to help you determine if we are the best service to meet your needs.

How Does Therapy Assistant Work?

Our Speech and/or Occupational Therapists conduct an assessment with your child to determine your child's strengths, learning style, skills/areas requiring support, and initial goals for therapy
The therapist works with you to determine what kind of therapy schedule would work best. This includes working out how frequently we recommend your child has sessions with the therapist and with the therapy assistant. We put together a few different options for you, so that you can work out what will work best for your family.
The lead therapist meets with your child's therapy assistant to discuss your child's therapy plan, goals, and strategies. The lead therapist will decide how often your child's therapy plan needs to be reviewed. The therapy assistant and therapist will set ongoing times to meet and discuss how your child is going in their therapy assistant sessions, and make any changes to the plan as they are needed.
Therapy assistants get started with their sessions. They will update you after each session via a method that suits you (e.g. quick SMS, phone call or email).

Our team of therapy assistants can help with things such as:

Helping your child practice skills learnt in 1:1 Speech or OT sessions, in the environments they are most comfortable (e.g. at home, kinder, or childcare).

· This works especially well for children who may not be as comfortable learning in environments outside of the home

Helping you with a more flexible therapy schedule that can happen at your home.

This might mean your child has less frequent sessions with a therapist at the hub, and more frequent sessions with a therapy assistant in your home environment.

Helping your child with skills that are best taught/facilitated in real world environments

e.g. having the therapy assistant go with your child to childcare/kinder and practice playing with other children, sharing toys, and building confidence talking with other children

Providing your child with more intensive intervention that is imbedded into your daily routines

Some parents opt for therapy 'intensives' where children are provided with several therapy sessions per week either at home or childcare. Our therapy assistants can carry out individualised therapy programs that are engaging, play based, and embedded into your child's everyday routines, for several hours per week.)

Helping ease the stress that can come with being a parent of a child attending lots of therapy

We know that life continues outside of therapy and having the time and energy to implement strategies can be really challenging. Our therapy assistants can be an extra set of hands in your home - providing you with a person you can trust that can implement your child's therapy program

Advocating for your child at kinder/childcare/school

our therapy assistants get to know your child, their therapy goals, strengths, and strategies that support them best. The can advocate for your child in education settings and demonstrate to education staff how to best support your child. You can be at ease knowing that your child has someone in the setting with them that will always make sure they are included, supported, and there to assist them if any challenges arise

Helping your child with daily routines that are currently challenging

Our therapy assistants can help you by helping your child with routines throughout the day that might be really challenging for them to complete without assistance. This may include morning routines (e.g. getting ready for school or kinder), after school routines, or mealtimes. Your therapy assistant implements strategies designed by the therapist to build your child's independence to complete routines successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No, a referral is NOT required. Simply contact us to arrange your appointment. Some clients may be eligible for partial Medicare rebates in which case a GP referral is required.
Are you an NDIS provider?

We can see families who have Plan or Self- Managed NDIS funds. We are not a registered provider so unfortunately cannot provide services to families with agency managed NDIS funds.
Can you speak with my child's daycare/preschool staff, teacher or other health care professional? "

Yes, we are more than happy to liaise with anyone working with your child to help improve their communication. We can also provide training and support to them on how best to help.
Do I get a rebate from my health care fund?

You will need to check with your health care fund if you are covered for speech pathology. Zanda is registered with most major funds.
Am I eligible for a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan?

Your eligibility for a CDM is determined by your General Practitioner Zanda is registered with Medicare to provide Speech Pathology services to those who meet the Medicare requirements. The Chronic Disease Management Plan entitles recipients to up to 5 sessions with a Speech Pathologist per calendar year that are partially covered by Medicare. Each of the 5 CDM sessions attracts a rebate of $53.80 from Medicare (as of November 1, 2013). A GP is responsible for determining whether an individual is eligible to receive a CDM Plan and a GP referral letter is necessary before you can start to claim. Therapy provided by Zanda will need to be paid for as usual, but you will be able to take your receipt to Medicare in order to claim your rebate. In general, those eligible will have a chronic condition (present for longer than 6 months) and complex care needs that require ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team consisting of their GP and at least two other health care providers (e.g. Speech Pathologist, OT, Audiologist, Psychologist). For more information please contact your GP or refer to: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mbsprimarycare-chronicdisease-pdf-infosheet
How long does the initial consultation go for?

All first sessions, Speech and Occupational Therapy are 1 hour
What is involved in the initial consultation?

The initial consultation is a chance for the Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist to further explore the concerns you have about your child’s skills. The Therapist will ask you some questions about about how your child currently communicates, socialises, and learns, as well as your goals for your child. The therapist will also complete some games and activities with your child to get to know them, as well as some other assessment activities administered through play/games or at the table.