Parent Resources
Mental Health: Approximately fourteen per cent of Australian young people aged 4-17 have mental health or behavioural problems. This rate of mental health problems is found in all age and gender groups (Sawyer et al., 2000). Help for young people experiencing mental health or behaviour problems is available in the Education, Private, Community and Public sectors. Pathways to accessing assistance from each sector, and the type of assistance offered in each sector is different.
Education Sector: Most schools in Victoria these days have some version of a “Wellbeing Team” which assists in maintaining the wellbeing of students and staff at the school. The wellbeing team is usually made up of a variety of professionals including psychologists, counsellors, social workers, welfare workers and pastoral care workers.
Private Sector: Several mental health professionals work in private practices and private organisations across Victoria. These professionals include paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors (just to name a few). Professionals working privately usually charge a fee, although sometimes government funding (such as Medicare) is available which is designed to assist people in accessing private services.
Community Sector: Several community organisations work with people experiencing mental health issues. Many of them are not for profit organisations or are funded through the government through grants or private donations. Some offer free services and others offer services that require donation or fees. Below are some examples of well-known community organisations. Click the links to be taken to their websites. You can also get information on other community organisations in your area from your local council or your GP.
Public Sector: Public mental health services are usually entirely funded by the government and are accessed via your local hospital. Public mental health services offer a range of services for people experiencing mental illness and are usually completely covered by medicare. Due to the demand for the thorough and specialised mental health services that public mental health services offer, their wait times can be long, especially if the condition is less severe or complex or could be treated elsewhere, such as in the private or community sector. The public mental health system also offers crisis assessment services (CATT) for those in immediate crisis, such as current suicidality or self-harm, current psychotic or manic episode or current other mental health crisis. CATT services and ongoing services offered in the public mental health system are often only available according to the severity, complexity, and immediacy of the issue.
Education Sector: Most schools in Victoria these days have some version of a “Wellbeing Team” which assists in maintaining the wellbeing of students and staff at the school. The wellbeing team is usually made up of a variety of professionals including psychologists, counsellors, social workers, welfare workers and pastoral care workers.
- If your child is enrolled at the school, they are entitled to access the wellbeing team if needed. They can contact the wellbeing team directly OR ask a teacher or coordinator how to do so. As a parent, you can also request from the school that your child be put in contact with the welfare team.
- You do not need a referral from a GP for your child to be involved with the welfare team because the welfare team are Department of Education and Training employees.
- Generally the focus of welfare teams is to assist with behavioural issues (such as work or school refusal) that are impacting on a student’s education and assist with general mental health concerns. If the welfare team employs psychologists, they may offer educational or cognitive assessments.
- Welfare teams can only provide limited support during school hours. Most welfare teams do not have the resources to offer appropriate treatment for diagnosable mental health conditions (such as major depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, suicidality/self-harm, etc.). Although they may be able to provide some level of support with these issues in conjunction with external supports, it is likely that someone with these issues will need to access professional supports outside of the education sector.
Private Sector: Several mental health professionals work in private practices and private organisations across Victoria. These professionals include paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors (just to name a few). Professionals working privately usually charge a fee, although sometimes government funding (such as Medicare) is available which is designed to assist people in accessing private services.
- Psychologists: Psychologists complete a minimum of six years training which allows them to both diagnose and treat diagnosable mental health problems as well as more general life issues that a person might be dealing with.
Some psychologists have completed further training for endorsement in several specific areas of psychology, such as clinical, neuro, health, education, counselling, forensic, sports, community or organisational psychology. Psychologists endorsed in one of these specific areas (such as a clinical psychologist) complete a minimum of eight years training. To work out which type of psychologist might be right for you, see the Australian Psychological Society’s webpage on the different types of psychologists.
To find a psychologist with an interest or skillset in a particular area, you can use the Australian Psychological Society or the Australian Clinical Psychology Association “find a psychologist or clinical psychologist” services. Both of these services allow you to search for the interests, location and gender of the psychologist you would like to see.
Although private psychologists usually charge a fee for their services, Medicare subsidies are often available if attending via a Mental Health Care Plan, which you can obtain from a GP if you have a diagnosable mental disorder. A Mental Health Care Plan will provide you with up to 10 subsidised sessions with a psychologist per calendar year. Currently, sessions are subsidised by $124.50 per session when you see a clinical psychologist and $84.50 per session when you see other types of psychologists. Sometimes private health funds also offer rebates for psychology services.
If you require bulk-billing (i.e., no direct cost involved to you) we suggest calling the psychologist and ask whether this is a service that they offer. Many psychologists offer bulk-billing to those in financial hardship or those with government concession cards. - Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors who have completed additional training in diagnosis and treatment (including medications) of mental health disorders. Training to be a psychiatrist often takes well over 10 years. Because of their medical training, psychiatrists are able to prescribe medications when they are needed. Often psychiatrists and psychologists work together on different aspects of a persons’ mental health – for example, a psychiatrist may see someone for regular medication reviews and a psychologist may provide psychological therapy for the same persons’ problem. However, many psychiatrists also offer various forms of talking therapies if they have been trained to do so.
Although private psychiatrists usually charge a fee for their services, Medicare subsidies are often available. The types of subsidies (and the amounts) will depend on the service the psychiatrist is billing for. To arrange to see a psychiatrist, you can see your GP and request a referral. Usually GPs will have established networks with both psychiatrists and psychologists, so if you don’t know who you would like to see for the specific issue you need help with, your GP will often be able to make a suggestion.
If you require bulk billing (i.e., no direct cost involved to you) we suggest calling the psychiatrist and ask whether this is a service that they offer. Many psychiatrists offer bulk-billing to those in financial hardship or those with government concession cards. Sometimes private health funds also offer rebates for psychiatric services. - Paediatricians: Paediatricians are specialist medical doctors who have completed additional training in the health problems of children and young people. Training to be a paediatrician often takes well over 10 years. Because of their medical training, paediatricians are able to prescribe medications when they are needed. Often paediatricians will work with mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists to treat childhood disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders or behavioural problems.
Although private paediatricians usually charge a fee for their services, Medicare subsidies are often available. The types of subsidies (and the amounts) will depend on the service the paediatrician is billing for. To arrange to see a paediatrician, you can see your GP and request a referral. Usually GPs will have established networks, so if you don’t know who you would like to see for the specific issue you need help with, your GP will often be able to make a suggestion.
If you require bulk billing (i.e., no direct cost involved to you) we suggest calling the paediatrician and ask whether this is a service that they offer. Many paediatricians offer bulk-billing to those in financial hardship or those with government concession cards. Sometimes private health funds also offer rebates for paediatric services. - Allied Health Practitioners: You can also access a range of allied health practitioners (such as Psychologists, Social Workers, Nurses, and Occupational Therapists) who work with mental health issues in private practice. They will be able to offer different services and levels of care depending on their profession, training and experience.
Subsidies for these providers are also available under the ATAPs program (Access To Allied Psychological Services) and through medicare for a number of sessions each year. To access these subsidies you would need to see your GP who can help to organise this service for you if you are eligible. Sometimes, private health funds also offer rebates for allied health services.
Community Sector: Several community organisations work with people experiencing mental health issues. Many of them are not for profit organisations or are funded through the government through grants or private donations. Some offer free services and others offer services that require donation or fees. Below are some examples of well-known community organisations. Click the links to be taken to their websites. You can also get information on other community organisations in your area from your local council or your GP.
- Headspace offers a range of services including assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems; groups counselling and information sessions; parenting groups. Headspace also offers an online counselling service called E-Headspace which is conducted via msn/email and telephone for ages 12-25.
- Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented service offering specialist expertise in depression and bipolar disorder.
- Kids Help Line is a free, confidential telephone and online counselling service for those aged 5-25. Phone 1800 55 1800.
- Lifeline is a crisis support and suicide prevention telephone counselling service. Phone 13 11 14.
- University Psychology Clinics often offer a low-cost assessment and treatment service wherein post-graduate psychology students studying their masters or doctorate degrees in psychology conduct the assessments or treatment under supervision of an experienced and more senior psychologist. One of the benefits of accessing a University Clinic is that you will not necessarily be limited to the 10 or 12 sessions funded by Medicare or ATAPS. For example, the La Trobe Psychology Clinic offers low cost psychological assessment, therapy, child behaviour assessment, neuropsychological assessments, cognitive assessments, and group programs. You can contact the La Trobe Psychology Clinic during business hours on 9479 2150. Contact the University closest to you to check whether they offer similar clinic services.
Public Sector: Public mental health services are usually entirely funded by the government and are accessed via your local hospital. Public mental health services offer a range of services for people experiencing mental illness and are usually completely covered by medicare. Due to the demand for the thorough and specialised mental health services that public mental health services offer, their wait times can be long, especially if the condition is less severe or complex or could be treated elsewhere, such as in the private or community sector. The public mental health system also offers crisis assessment services (CATT) for those in immediate crisis, such as current suicidality or self-harm, current psychotic or manic episode or current other mental health crisis. CATT services and ongoing services offered in the public mental health system are often only available according to the severity, complexity, and immediacy of the issue.
- Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) offer a range of more intensive services, such as case management, home visits, psychiatry and psychology appointments, comprehensive assessment, and treatment (therapeutic and medicine).
- For North West region (Hume, Melton, Wyndham, Hobson's Bay, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Melbourne and Maribrynong), CAMHS can be accessed by phone on 1800 445 511
- For North East region (Hume, Melton, Wyndham, Hobson's Bay, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Melbourne and Maribrynong), CAMHS can be accessed by phone on 9496 3620 during business hours or 9496 5000 after hours. These numbers
- If there is an emergency, call triple zero or attend your local emergency room rather than the above phone numbers.
Physical Health: Physical health problems affect every child at some point. Schools are generally not directly involved in physical health care or in making recommendations for physical health care (unless they have employed a nurse). However, there are several options outside of the education sector to meet your physical health needs.
General Practitioners: Your GP is your first port of call for health problems and can provide referrals to specialists if required such as paediatricians.
Paediatricians: Paediatricians are specialist medical doctors who have completed additional training in the health problems of children and young people. Training to be a paediatrician often takes well over 10 years. Because of their medical training, paediatricians are able to prescribe medications when they are needed. Paediatricians provide a vital service for many of Baltara’s students and therefore it is our recommendations that all of Baltara’s students are linked to a paediatrician if possible.
Other Health Practitioners: There are a range of practitioners who might be utilitsed at various times (such as nurses, occupational therapists or physiotherapists). Ask your GP about what kind of health practitioner they recommend for your situation.
Emergencies: In physical health emergencies, always call triple zero or attend your local emergency department.
General Practitioners: Your GP is your first port of call for health problems and can provide referrals to specialists if required such as paediatricians.
Paediatricians: Paediatricians are specialist medical doctors who have completed additional training in the health problems of children and young people. Training to be a paediatrician often takes well over 10 years. Because of their medical training, paediatricians are able to prescribe medications when they are needed. Paediatricians provide a vital service for many of Baltara’s students and therefore it is our recommendations that all of Baltara’s students are linked to a paediatrician if possible.
Other Health Practitioners: There are a range of practitioners who might be utilitsed at various times (such as nurses, occupational therapists or physiotherapists). Ask your GP about what kind of health practitioner they recommend for your situation.
Emergencies: In physical health emergencies, always call triple zero or attend your local emergency department.
Family Conflict: Sometimes families have conflict. There can be difficult dynamics or personalities can clash; siblings can have rivalry between each other; parents can fight or disagree; and sometimes there are very significant issues or hurts that have built up over time.
The Better Health website has a page on family conflict that outlines some useful suggestions for resolving or dealing with conflict that occurs. However, when conflict in the family becomes severe or ongoing, it can have significant ramifications on the wellbeing of the individuals involved, including both parents and children. In these circumstances, it might be useful to get extra help from the following places.
Family Therapy: Family therapy can help to identify and address the issues present and may bring about significant change. Contrary to what you may expect, family therapy can still be useful even when some members do not attend.
The Better Health website has a page on family conflict that outlines some useful suggestions for resolving or dealing with conflict that occurs. However, when conflict in the family becomes severe or ongoing, it can have significant ramifications on the wellbeing of the individuals involved, including both parents and children. In these circumstances, it might be useful to get extra help from the following places.
Family Therapy: Family therapy can help to identify and address the issues present and may bring about significant change. Contrary to what you may expect, family therapy can still be useful even when some members do not attend.
- Bouverie Centre offers family therapy from specially trained therapists. They are located in Brunswick and can be contacted on 9385 5100 to discuss your situation with a worker and make an appointment. Sometimes they have long wait times for appointments, so call sooner rather than later!
- Relationships Australia offers a range of resources and counselling services for couples and families. There are RA centres in multiple locations around Victoria. They also have a Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) service to help couples who are separating to resolve their family law disputes regarding child care, child support, financial arrangements and property settlements
Parenting Help: Sometimes parents need support with parenting skills or managing issues with that come up with their children or their own behaviour. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do or how to respond to children’s needs.
- Psychologists are experienced in assisting with these issues. See the information about psychologists under the section on Mental Health for how to access psychological services.
- Raising Children Network is an extensive online resource for a range of parenting issues. The website is well organised with information broken down into age groups including pregnancy, newborns, babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, school age, pre-teens, teens and adults. The website also has a special section for Autism and for Disabilities. Each age group section has a range of topics including behaviour challenges, discipline, entertainment, technology etc., which address specific concerns within that topic.
- Headspace occasionally offer parent group programs and information sessions such as “Tuning into Teens” which is a parenting program teaching skills for communicating with and understanding teenagers.
- Child First is a service that helps to ensure that vulnerable children, young people and their families are linked effectively into relevant services and may be the best way of connecting children, young people and their families to the services they need. Child First is connected to the Department of Human Services, but linking yourself in with Child First is not the same as a notification to DHS.
Respite Services: Sometimes it can be extremely difficult caring for someone. This might particularly be the case if the person you are caring for has a high level of need for your care or if it is hard to meet their needs even if you are caring for them full time. Respite services exist to assist people to get much needed time-off from the carer role or to help to lighten the load so that you can do other things that you need to do (such as run errands or attend to important activities). Respite services are not available to everybody, but you may wish to discuss your eligibility with the following organisations.
- Child First is a service that helps to ensure that vulnerable children, young people and their families are linked effectively into relevant services and may be the best way of connecting children, young people and their families to the services they need. This can sometimes include respite services. Child First is connected to the Department of Human Services, but linking yourself in with Child First is not the same as a notification to DHS.
- Carer Gateway Carer Gateway is a government website which offers information on how to organise respite care and check your eligibility for accessing respite services. Use their online tool to put in your details and requirements to work out if you are eligible and be linked to the appropriate respite service for you.
Sleep Issues: Everybody knows that it’s important to get a good night sleep. It is important that children sleep well because if sleep is often disrupted or poor quality, it can affect their physical health as well as their mental health and sense of wellbeing. However, sometimes getting a good night sleep is easier said than done! See the following list of resources that might be able to help with sleep if you are experiencing difficulty.
- The Centre for Clinical Interventions has a range of self-help resources for many different issues. Their resource for getting better sleep is very comprehensive and easy to understand.
- Raising Children Network provides sleep resources for various age groups, including information on bed wetting and other issues of concern related to sleep. Go to raisingchildren.net.au
- GP’s and/or Paediatricians can also help with a variety of sleep concerns. See your GP for a referral to a paediatrician if needed.
School Refusal: Sometimes children take time off from school, for example, when they are sick or when important family events occur (such as a funeral) or when they have appointments. School refusal is more concerning than taking legitimate time off for a short time, and involves a student taking frequent time off or refusing to go to school a lot of the time. Sometimes it can be accompanied with feelings of anxiety or low mood. School refusal is a highly complex issue that is often difficult to treat and usually requires multiple people/services to be involved. It is therefore best to seek assistance as early as possible if your child is experiencing this.
- It is important to talk to the school, including the Principal, the class teacher or year level coordinator, as well as the welfare team. Each of these people in the school will likely need to be involved in some way to assist your child either staying at school or coming back to school.
- It may be appropriate to see a psychologist who can identify and address the underlying issues that may have led to school refusal. They may also be able to make recommendations to parents and to the school in order to assist with reducing school refusal behaviour. See the information about psychologists in the section under Mental Health for how to access psychological services.
- If the school refusal is already of a serious nature or has been long term, or is complicated by other issues (such as a mental health issue) it may need a multi-disciplinary or more intensive intervention. Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) sometimes offer school refusal services, or can assist with linking in with a refusal service. See the information about CAMHS under Mental Health for how to access CAMHS services.
Social Skills Groups: Difficulties with social skills is a common issue in children with behaviour problems. Sometimes social skills groups can be an appropriate way of assisting children to increase skills in this area, however, sometimes these groups can be hard to find!
- Many schools offer social skills as part of their regular class activities. However, sometimes schools offer additional social skills groups for children who are struggling through the school’s wellbeing team. Check with your school to see whether these groups are available at your child’s school.
- Headspace sometimes offers social skills groups. Google headspace and your location to find the closest centre to make further enquiries.Social skills can sometimes be addressed individually in therapy with a psychologist or other allied health practitioner. See the section on Mental Health for information on accessing psychology services. These may be an attractive option if social skills groups cannot be accessed.
Bullying Resources: Bullying is the desire or behaviour which hurts, threatens, frightens, offends, or alienates others. It may take many forms. The National Centre Against Bullying identifies five types of bullying:
- Physical bullying: The use of physical actions to bully, such as hitting, poking, tripping or pushing. Repeatedly and intentionally damaging someone's belongings is also physical bullying.
- Verbal bullying: Repeated or systematic name calling, insults and verbal abuse.
- Social (covert) bullying: Indirect actions, such as lying about someone, spreading rumours, playing a nasty joke that make the person feel humiliated or powerless, mimicking or deliberately excluding someone.
- Psychological bullying: For example, threatening, manipulating or stalking someone.
- Cyber bullying: This is a method of bullying using technology, such as email, mobile phones, chat rooms and social networking sites to bully verbally, socially or psychologically.
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For more information on defining bullying, click on the following link to watch Dr Michael Carr-Gregg’s ‘Six Quick Tips for Parents about Bullying’:
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- It is important for parents to know that it is a Department of Education requirement that every school in Victoria have an Anti-Bullying Policy which should be freely accessible to parents and students via the school website. We recommend that you contact your child’s school for a copy of the Anti-Bullying Policy if you have difficulty accessing it through the website. You can use this document to keep schools accountable for acting on the steps that they say that they will act on in the policy. For example, have they arranged parent meetings when the policy states they will? Has the appropriate action been taken? The anti-bullying policy should outline the responsibilities of your child as well as the school. Make sure your child also follows the anti-bullying policy, such as reporting bullying behaviour to the appropriate person.
- It might be a good idea to record any bullying incidents that occur, including what happened, who was involved, who it was reported to, and the action that was taken by school staff.
- Also remember that both bullies and those who have been bullied can access support through their school Wellbeing Team. Contact your child’s school to ensure that they are linked in to the wellbeing team.
- Raising Children Network has information for parents on how to deal with bullying behaviour (whether your child is the bully or the bullied).
- Individual therapy/counselling can also assist with children who have been bullied or who are bullying others. See the section on Mental Health for information on how to access mental health services including therapy/counselling.
Assessments: Although not appropriate for every child, cognitive, psychological, ASD or Behaviour Assessments can often be helpful for parents and for schools in order to work out what is really going on with a child/student’s behaviour. These kinds of assessments can identify various problems, disorders, language or learning difficulties which may provide vital information on how to treat the issue. You can often access these assessments from the private, education, community and public mental health systems.
As with most health issues, seeing your child's GP or paediatrician is a good place to start. They can refer to several professional types who complete assessments such as psychologists, occupational therapists, optometrists, psychiatrists, speech pathologists. Sometimes funding might be available for certain types of tests for particular purposes. Talk with your child's school or with your GP/paediatrician about funding options. When it comes to cognitive or behavioural assessments, University Psychology Clinics often offer a low-cost assessment service wherein post-graduate psychology students studying their masters or doctorate degrees in psychology conduct the assessments under supervision of an experienced and more senior psychologist. For example, the La Trobe Psychology Clinic offers low cost psychological assessment, therapy, child behaviour assessment, neuropsychological assessments, cognitive assessments, and group programs. You can contact the La Trobe Psychology Clinic during business hours on 9479 2150. Contact the University closest to you to check whether they offer similar assessment services.
As with most health issues, seeing your child's GP or paediatrician is a good place to start. They can refer to several professional types who complete assessments such as psychologists, occupational therapists, optometrists, psychiatrists, speech pathologists. Sometimes funding might be available for certain types of tests for particular purposes. Talk with your child's school or with your GP/paediatrician about funding options. When it comes to cognitive or behavioural assessments, University Psychology Clinics often offer a low-cost assessment service wherein post-graduate psychology students studying their masters or doctorate degrees in psychology conduct the assessments under supervision of an experienced and more senior psychologist. For example, the La Trobe Psychology Clinic offers low cost psychological assessment, therapy, child behaviour assessment, neuropsychological assessments, cognitive assessments, and group programs. You can contact the La Trobe Psychology Clinic during business hours on 9479 2150. Contact the University closest to you to check whether they offer similar assessment services.
ASD resources: A diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder can be difficult for family members, but can also be the beginning of understanding behaviours which have been difficult to deal with or cope with.
- Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) offers a range of resources for parents with children with ASD. This includes online resources, information about various services, and a helpline (1800277328).
- Raising Children Network offers extensive online resources for ASD. Go to raisingchildren.net.au. The resources cover a range of topics related to ASD including: Learning & ASD (ASD overview, Asperger’s disorder, PDD-NOS, early signs, ASD diagnosis, how ASD affects development); Behaviour (building confidence, changing routines, challenging behaviour, routines and rituals, cooperative behaviour, appointments); Communicating (communicating with ASD, friends and peers, ASD and family relationships, teen social skills, siblings and ASD); Development (getting ready for puberty, periods, sexuality, emotional development, self-identity); Health and Daily Care (sleep habits, sleep difficulties, toilet training, everyday skills, personal hygiene, mood changes); School Play and Work (parties, social and recreational activities, choosing a school, secondary school transitions, play & ASD, structured play); Therapies & Services (types of interventions, ASD services, early intervention, choosing interventions, fads, interventions for older children); Therapies Guide (ABA, sensory integration, social stories, SSRIs, stimulants).
- See your GP or paediatrician if you would like further information about services that might be available to you.
Speech and Language: Sometimes children have speech and language difficulties which are affecting their ability to communicate with others and understand what others are telling them. These difficulties can be caused by fluency, articulation or receptive and expressive language issues. All schools have access to a Student Support Services speech pathology team who are able to complete assessments, provide limited therapy and make recommendations to teachers for students with significant communication difficulties, where the difficulties are having an impact on the student’s learning.
Assessment and consultation services are also available through the Royal Children’s Hospital for students with complex communication or swallowing needs and works on an outpatient, secondary consultation model. The speech pathology department can be reached on 9345 9300.
There are numerous private practitioners or organisations which offer a full range of speech, language and social skills programs. Speech Pathology Australia has a ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’ function on their website to help you locate a speech pathologist in your area- www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au.
Assessment and consultation services are also available through the Royal Children’s Hospital for students with complex communication or swallowing needs and works on an outpatient, secondary consultation model. The speech pathology department can be reached on 9345 9300.
There are numerous private practitioners or organisations which offer a full range of speech, language and social skills programs. Speech Pathology Australia has a ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’ function on their website to help you locate a speech pathologist in your area- www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au.
Literacy Development: Academic research supports the use of an evidence based phonological awareness and systematic synthetic phonics based program to support students with reading and spelling difficulties. Schools provide a variety of support programs for students with difficulties in developing reading and spelling. If additional support is required, the following organisations are recommended.
SPELD Victoria- SPELD offers assessment and ongoing tutoring services for students with significant reading and spelling disorders. They also offer information sessions for parents. SPELD can be contacted on 1800 051 533 or through their website, speldvic.org.au
Learning Difficulties Australia- Learning Difficulties Australia offers a tutoring service and an option to search for a tutor in your area on their website, ldaustralia.org
La Trobe University Communication Clinic- La Trobe University Communication Clinic offers the Phonological Awareness for Literacy (PAL) program. Information on this program can be accessed though, the La Trobe University Communication Clinic Website,
latrobe.edu.au/communication-clinic/clinical-programs or by contacting the clinic on 9479 1921.
SPELD Victoria- SPELD offers assessment and ongoing tutoring services for students with significant reading and spelling disorders. They also offer information sessions for parents. SPELD can be contacted on 1800 051 533 or through their website, speldvic.org.au
Learning Difficulties Australia- Learning Difficulties Australia offers a tutoring service and an option to search for a tutor in your area on their website, ldaustralia.org
La Trobe University Communication Clinic- La Trobe University Communication Clinic offers the Phonological Awareness for Literacy (PAL) program. Information on this program can be accessed though, the La Trobe University Communication Clinic Website,
latrobe.edu.au/communication-clinic/clinical-programs or by contacting the clinic on 9479 1921.
The above resources list were based on the most common questions that parents ask Yarra Me School. Of course this list is not exhaustive, so if you have a suggestion for another resource or there is something you would like to see added to this list, please contact Erin Briedis (Psychologist) at Yarra Me School using the contact details on this webpage. If there is an issue with any of the information in the above resources, for example, if there is incorrect information or if links do not work properly, please let us know!