You can still use our services and access our programs privately. If your child becomes eligible for full or partial NDIS funding then we will balance NDIS and private funding to ensure the right mix and value for you.

You must be an Australian Citizens, Permanant residents or a Protected Special Category Visa holders to access the scheme.

Your child must be under 9 years old to access the early childhood approach for children younger than 9. Children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support through the early childhood approach where there are concerns about your child’s development.

Children younger than 6 who do not fully meet the definition of developmental delay and have developmental concerns will also be supported through the early childhood approach. If you have concerns about your child’s development your first point of contact will usually be your doctor, child health nurse, or other health professional. They will help you work out what supports you and your child might need, and they may connect you with our early childhood partners.

All staff must have their own background in a health-related discipline. This includes Education, early childhood education, Speech Pathology, Psychology, Occupational therapy or Applied Behaviour Analysis. Team members undergo intensive training to meet the fidelity standard’s of various support practices. For example, fidelity standards of the NDIS.

We work with all families to discuss eligibility requirements for the NDIS (such as availability in your area, your residency status i.e. Permanent resident or Australian citizen). We can then discuss the process of applying for NDIS and preparing for your meeting. If you are currently accessing NDIS, we are able to assist with plan reviews, change of circumstances (such as a recent update to your child’s health) and early reviews.

In most cases early intervention is covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) through “self-managed” or “plan-managed” funding. Once your child’s funding has been confirmed and you commence behavioural therapy with us.

You can still use our services and access our programs privately. If your child becomes eligible for full or partial NDIS funding then we will balance NDIS and private funding to ensure the right mix and value for you.

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive family-centred behaviour therapy for the effects of early autism for children aged 12-60 months old.

ESDM is a contemporary therapy integrating a multi-disciplinary approach derived from clinical practitioners from the US Davis Mind Institute. ESDM has been proven to be most effective in teams of practitioners delivering ESDM one on one in home and clinical environments and then progressively generalised into mainstream early environments, such as child cares and kindergartens.

ESDM is an evidence-based intervention effective for various ranges of children’s abilities and skills. ESDM is a play-based behavioural therapy focusing on positive and fun relationships between adults, peers and children to target various developmental domains.

These include;

• Receptive Communication
• Expressive Communication
• Joint attention
• Cognition
• Behaviour
• Personal independence
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Social skills
• Imitation

Little Learners believes parents and families, as well as other significant individuals in a child’s life are the most important resources for a child’s skill development. We believe that the child’s everyday environments and routines are the most essential learning environments for change and is done through empowering families and caregivers to deliver best results to their child.

ESDM behavioural therapists undergo intensive programs and must have their own background in a health-related discipline to undergo the training process to meet UC Davis requirements. All team members must have either completed their Bachelor or working towards their Bachelor. To certify in ESDM, team members need a completed Bachelor in the relevant field. This includes; Early childhood education, Education, Speech Pathology, Psychology, Occupational therapy and Behaviour Analysis.

Little Learnersrespects and supports the fundamental rights of children and their parents, carers and families and we have 5 key codes:

1. We treat children, family members and representatives, with respect and dignity at all times, knowing that each child is an individual with individual needs.
2. Our team is hard working and always provide professional and personalised therapy in our clinical or community setting.
3. Our team always acts honestly and truthfully and we practice open and transparent communication with parents, families, medical professionals and through government funding such as the NDIS.
4. We keep up to date with all qualifications, police checks, licenses and registrations, required to provide our services and maintain the privacy of your information – as per our privacy policy.
5. We work to maintain and enhance the safety and wellbeing of our team as well as those in our care, in accordance with the appropriate standards and relevant legislation relating to our services.

ESDM behavioural therapists undergo intensive programs and must have their own background in a health-related discipline to undergo the training process to meet UC Davis requirements. All team members must have either completed their Bachelor or working towards their Bachelor. To certify in ESDM, team members need a completed Bachelor in the relevant field. This includes; Early childhood education, Education, Speech Pathology, Psychology, Occupational therapy and Behaviour Analysis.