Funding Options
NDIS funded services
We are able to provide services funded through the NDIS where the NDIS participant's funding is either "self-managed" or "plan-managed".
Privately funded services
You might choose to access our services by privately funding them. This could be while you're waiting for NDIS funding to be approved, or while you're still working out whether your child is eligible for NDIS or other funding.
We are more than happy to chat to you about your funding options so that you can make an informed decision when you're choosing a service.
Medicare rebates
Sometimes children might be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 5x sessions annually of Allied Health input under the "Chronic Disease Management Plan". If you think your child might be eligible for this, speak to your GP or call us to talk through it further.
How Does Therapy Work with Infants and Children?
Goals
We know from research that the most effective therapy is based on clear goal setting and ensuring goals are reviewed and updated frequently.
OTs use a number of methods to set goals with families. If your child has an NDIS plan, we can look at the goals you have set with your planner and break them down into smaller, achievable goals.
Frequency of input
The frequency of OT input varies greatly for different children with different needs. We know from research that the most effective strategies are those that are integrated into the everyday routine for the child, so they are repetitive (but fun!). OTs have unique skills in using strategies during a therapy session, and then supporting parents and other caregivers (like childcare educators) to implement them in routines so the child can practice frequently and improve their skills.
Therapy sessions
An OT therapy session looks very different for different children, according to their goals and needs. OT sessions at Melbourne Paediatric OT can be in the clinic, in the child's home, or in the child's childcare centre or kinder.
Some therapy sessions may look more like a "consult" with lots of talking with parents/caregivers to determine the issues and provide advice. Other sessions can be more hands on with using specific strategies in play or function, to be able to provide advice on strategies to implement at home. E.g. a play session to look at a child's fine motor skills and trial some strategies, followed by advice on what to practice at home.
Specific Assistive Technology (Equipment) support
Equipment (aka Assistive Technology) support
Our OTs have specific skills and extensive experience in trialling and prescribing equipment for children who have physical and medical complexities. We have long-standing relationships with many different equipment providers in Melbourne, which can save time when thinking about what equipment might be suitable for trial with your little one.
Even if you're not one of our ongoing clients, we are available on a short-term, goal specific basis to help identify the right equipment to meet your child's needs and support their goals and function. Not all paediatric OTs do complex equipment prescription, so we're very happy to work collaboratively with your child's exisiting therapy team, to support this where necessary.
Seeking a Second Opinion
Second opinion
As parents, you often want to make sure that you're getting the right support or advice for your child. This could mean that you're seeking a "second opinion" on your child's developmental needs or therapy approaches.
Our OTs have specific skills and extensive experience in working with children who have physical and medical complexities. We have capacity to offer a consultation or "second opinion" on your child's needs, and can support you to find the right OT for your child, or support your ongoing OT to implement evidence-based practices (with their consent).
For example, if your child has a hemiplegia, we can support you to identify the most appropriate evidence-based strategy to use so your child improves their hand function, and we can support your ongoing OT in implementing these strategies.
Supervision and mentoring for other health professionals
Support for other health professionals
We recognise that our team have a unique blend of skills and knowledge for working with infants and children with complex physical and medical needs.
We are available to provide one-off or ongoing supervision and mentoring supports to other health professionals who have specific learning goals which we could help address.
If you're interested in finding out more, get in touch with us via the "Contact Us" page.