999 Reasons

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Parents, carers, healthcare workers and educators can find information on health, support networks, healthcare and education resources plus products for sale. WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY 3RD PARTY WEBSITE LINKS - THEY ARE REFERENCES ONLY.

Having a child with additional health or learning needs can be isolating, frustrating and challenging but we all need to find support in each other and ways to celebrate our achievments. There are resources around that can be useful and we have put together a directory for NSW families with a child who has additional needs or is in need of support, especially Autism, Down Syndrome, Global Delays, Launguage delays, Behavioural and Sensory issues, etc.

• AUTISM
• ADHD / ADD
  
• ASSESSMENT CENTRES
• COMMUNICATION
• COUNSELING, FAMILY SUPPORT AND RESPITE
  
• DOWN SYDNROME

• EARLY INTERVENTION
• EDUCATION
• FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• HEALTH AND NUTRITION
  
• PLAYGROUPS AND LEARNING CENTRES
  
• PRACTICAL RESOURCES
• SHOP
  

This list is not comprehensive - please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to be added to the list.

AUTISM

• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) - Early Intervention and support service 
• Autism Behavioral Intervention (ABI) implement Applied Behaviour Analysis to improve the quality of life of your child and the family unit.
• Centre for autism and related disorders. 
• Autism training - The Positive Partnerships: supporting school aged students on the autism spectrum project delivers two components of the Helping Children with Autism package being implemented by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The aim of both components is to improve the educational outcomes for school aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
• Northcott Autism Support - Offers the "Helping children with Autism Package"
  

•  see also Early Intervention

ASSESSMENT CENTRES

• Northern Sydney Central Coast Community Health Centres 
• Chatswood Assessment Centre
  
• Dalwood Assessment Centre A joint project of the NSW Departments of Health and Education and Training for children living in rural and regional NSW with learning difficulties especially literacy, language and behaviour between 5-12 years old. Seaforth, NSW (02) 9951 0300 
• Queenscliff Health Centre - North Manly, NSW (02) 9466 2502
• Sydney Childrens Hospital  The Community Child Health Service provides developmental assessments, refugee services and Aboriginal clinics. School based health assessments and child health education for community groups are also provided in areas of need. Randwick, NSW (02) 9382 8472
• Childrens Hospital Westmead - Child Development Unit Clinics is a tertiary diagnostic and assessment centre providing comprehensive multidisciplinary service to children with complex developmental problems.
• Private Centres (Selected assessments may be covered by Medicare) 
• Comprehensive Psychology Assessment Cetnre CPAC provides safe and friendly environments to assess children's intellectual, academic, developmental and behavioural/emotional functioning. Bondi Junction, Mosman, Wentworthville 0421 812 198
• Learning Links
• Lizard Centre  

COMMUNICATION

• Hands can talk - Australian Sign language resources and traning sessions. 
• Auslan - Australian sign language with online search. 
• Hanen - it takes two to talk speech program
• Makaton - signing 
• Speech Pathology Australia can direct you to a professional who can help. 
• Pelican Talk
  

COUNSELLING, FAMILY SUPPORT AND RESPITE

• The diagnosis and the journey
• Family Advocacy- strengthening the knowledge, role and influence of families with a disability in the community. Workshops for families and acting as an independant voice within NSW. Phone: 02 9869 0866
• Auntie and Uncles 
  
• Carers NSW
• Centracare broken bay respite - Phone: 02 94734511
• Chatswood assessment centre counselling service Phone: 02 94140260
• Family advocacy
  
• Family support service - Phone: 02 99829875
• Lifeline  
• Northern Beaches Interchange Holiday and weekend programs plus playgroup- Warriewood, NSW Phone: 02 99700500
  
• Northern beaches neighbourhood service carers network
• Parent infant foundation
• Riverlink respite 
• Sunshine respite
  

DOWN SYDNROME (DS) - TRISOMY 21

• Also see Early Intervention links
• Down Syndrome Association of NSW
• 
  
• Down Syndrome Health - Useful health news for parents and professionals from a pediatiotion and father of a child with DS.
• Northcott early childhood service.  Phone: 1800289177

EARLY INTERVENTION

• ADHC early intervention service - Sydney's north shore - 98770166 Northern beaches - 9486700
• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) - Early Intervention and support service - www.autismspectrum.org.au
• Autism Behavioral Intervention (ABI) implement Applied Behaviour Analysis to improve the quality of life of your child and the family unit.
• Brookvale Early Intervention Centre (BEIC) Manly, Pittwater, Warringah, NSW (02) 9939 1805 
• Childrens Hospital at Westmead Run by the Child Development Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in collaboration with the Autism Association of NSW, aims to work with families with children aged two to four years who are newly diagnosed with autism. Westmead NSW
• Dalwood spilstead centre - intervention and support service to vulnerable families - Seaforth 99510365
• Early Ed intervention Early Intervention Service. North Sydney
• Early intervention infoline IFSP - 1300656865
• Learning Link - services include early childhood intervention, full cognitive, developmental and paediatric assessments, individualised and supplementary specialist literacy and numeracy services, specialised help for children who have had serious illnesses, an in-school reading program for children falling behind in literacy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy, family counselling, case management, group programs and workshops. The children we help range in age from birth to 18 years. 6 locations around Sydney.  
• Lizard Centre Evidence based intervention for young children with autism and related disorders. Chatswood, NSW (02) 9904 8130

• Lifestart Early Intervention Service. Sydney-wide.
  
• Northcott disability services - 1800004957
• Physical ability unit - Motor Skills Therapy Frenchs Forest ph. 99757743
• Queenscliff community health - 99757743
• Sdn Childrens Service Sydney's childcare and intervention service for children with additional needs.
  

EDUCATION

• NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) - home page
  
• As far as I can see there are three main areas of interest here for children with additional needs as of 2010 Supporting students Home page or Programs

1. Disability
2. Behaviour 
3. Learning difficulties.   
   

• Other useful link are:                                   
  

• School options  and those schools with support classes
  
• Transition to school - learn about the Best Start education program most schools have implemented and see the "A Special Place" online book, "Time to start school", School Starters Guide downloadable booklet or the DOCs School Readiness publication with ideas to make it so much easier for your child to be more comfortable and prepared once school begins and they move from play based to structured learning .  
  
• Disability Access Programs which provides individuals with disabilites and their carers the knowledge, understanding, skills and values for a productive and rewarding life. Phone 9244 5085 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Subsidies, grants and allowances
• Other publications may be useful such as "Who's going to teach my child" 
• You can also call your regional Office or speak to your school counsellor for more specific support 

• Hunter/Central Coast Illawarra & South Coast New England North Coast Northern Sydney Riverina South Western Sydney Sydney Western NSW Western Sydney

  4924 9999 4222 2929 6755 5934 6652 0500 9886 7690 6937 3871 9796 5446 9217 4877 6841 2110 9208 9359

• Intervention Support Program - provides funding to community based preschools, daycare and Intervention services to support learning opportunities for young children with a disability.
  
• Assistance Program a list of disability programs.
  
• SPELD NSW - Specific Learning Difficulties Association of NSW a non-profit-making association of parents and professional persons interested and involved in advancing the education and general well-being of children and adults with Specific Learning Difficulties / learning disability.
• The Star Association supporting children with disabilities achieve optimal development in inclusive childcare setting plus workshops for carers. Suite 2.5, Level 2, 56 Delhi Road, North Ryde NSW 2113. PH. 02 98883717 Fax 02 9888 1475. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Websites of interest for education and learning
  
• Boardmaker - for introducing picture cards and helping kids to anticipate and prepare for activities. 
• Get Smart - these pages contain a collection of links to suitable activities to support and enhance classroom teaching and learning. 
• Reading Eggs - ABC Reading program.
• Starfall - learn to read with phonics.

 FINANCIAL SUPPORT

• NSW Governemnt's Program for Appliances Disabled People (PADP) applicance support
  
• Carers allowance - A supplementary payment for parents or carers who provide daily care and attention for children with a disability or severe medical condition at home.
  
• Medicare Allied Health Care - includes ALlied Health Care inventives and the Enhanced Primary Care plan which must be discussed with your GP in order to claim five primary care services such as physio, Dental, speech therapy etc as outlined. 

• Appliance support: PADP The Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP) is a NSW Government program for people with disabilities. The role of PADP is to assist eligible residents of NSW who have a permanent or long-term disability to live and participate in their community by providing appropriate equipment, aids and appliances. Adults and children are eligible to apply. PADP is administered locally from Lodgement Centres. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/topics/index.asp#para_4

• • www.health.gov.au or http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/su_disability?OpenDocument

  DADAC – Department of Ageing, Disability and Aged Care. http://www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/People+with+a+disability/Supporting+Children.htm Government department including support for carers and people with a disability – “DADHC provides and funds a range of services for children and young people with a disability and their families (including non-government agencies). Some of these services are targeted at the child or young person with a disability, whilst others are targeted to families or carers. Each of these services aims to assist the child or young person with a disability to live with their family and as a member of their community.” Includes Respite care, Community Support teams, services related to you intervention goals, Behaviour intervention, Accommodation support, Home care.

PLAYGROUPS AND LEARNING CENTRES

• Kindalin learning centres
  
• Kidsfirst brookvale
• Kookaburra playgroup from northern beaches interchange 99700500 warriewood
• Learn with ease - brain gym 
• My time playgroup 
• SDN Childrens service - childcare and intervention service for children with additional needs 
• Floor time: kids world

PRACITCAL RESOURCES 

• Cubby House Toy LIbrary - 32 Howard Ave, Dee Why, Australia, 2099 ph: (02) 9971 7006
• Warringah disability info service - newsletter and services index
• Wheelchair access to the Liberty Swing installed at Collaroy Park is great for kids. 
  

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

• Cerebral palsy - Spastic centre - pathways IFSO program 
• Continence - www.continence.org.au

• http://www.ideas.org.au/contentid61.html
• http://www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/People+with+a+disability/Related+Links.htm