Children and Young People
Where Do I Start?
The Children and Young People team in Disability ACT works with children, young people and their families to help coordinate services and programs for key transitions in a child or young person’s life.
The team can help with information and referral around
- support with day to day activities
- equipment and assistive technology that can help with mobility, bathing, eating, sleeping and communicating
- finding opportunities to link with other families and resources around disability
- moving to key transition stages of children’s lives – such as going to school, leaving school
- support that is available for understanding a diagnosis of disability or developmental delay, childcare, preschool and school
If you have specific questions about services and supports contact us:
Disability Information Service on (02) 6207 1086 or email disabilityACT@act.gov.au
Pre-birth and diagnosis
Early childhood and school age
Teens and leaving school
Financial support and assistance
Taking a break from caring
Help at home
Find out about equipment, technology and modifications
Pre-birth and Diagnosis
Where can i find out about pre-birth conditions and diagnosis?
Who does what: specialists and practitioners
Where can i find out about pre-birth conditions and diagnosis?
Your GP may be able to help with information about genetic conditions or finding out about the medical aspects of developmental delay or disability. There is basic information about genetic conditions 
and disorders .
Genetic Services
Genetic services are offered by PatCH (Paediatrics at the Canberra Hospital). The service provides gives families information about a condition that may be in their family and might be inherited.
PatCH can also assist with support and information following diagnosis of an abnormality is found during pregnancy.
More information on Genetic
Contact (02) 6244 2222
Who does what: specialists and practitioners
A diagnosis of developmental delay or disability can mean you have contact with a whole range of specialists or practitioners who can help your child.
A brief guide to ‘who does what’ can be found here
Early Childhood and School Age
I need therapy services
I am looking for early learning support
Where can I go for support with parenting skills or my family?
Are there services for students with disability
Financial support and assistance
Taking a break from caring
I need help at home
Find out about equipment, technology and modifications
Early Childhood
I need therapy services
Therapy ACT is part of the Community Services Directorate. It provides a range of free multidisciplinary therapy and support services for children with delays in development and developmental disabilities. Families can contact Therapy for the following services:
- Therapy and intervention programs
- Assessment Services
- Counselling and support for families
- Autism Service including autism assessments
- Equipment Loan Service for children and young people
- Information and advice for individuals, families, carers and teachers regarding development and disability concerns
More information on Therapy ACT
Contact Therapy Intake on (02) 6205 1246
ACT Community Care - Child, Youth and Women's Health Program
ACT Community Care – Child, Youth and Women’s Health Program is part of the Health Directorate. It provides a range of services to meet the health needs of families, children, young people and women.
These include parenting education and information, advice, support and counselling, audiometry (hearing tests), asthma support, physiotherapy, social work, nutrition, orthoptic screening, immunisation, health checks, home visiting and child health medical assessments.
More information on ACT Community Care - Child, Youth and Women's Health Program
Contact Community Health Intake on (02) 6207 9977
Child and Youth Dental Services
These services are delivered from Health Centres at the following locations. Also see www.health.act.gov.au
Moore St Health Building in the city on (02) 6205 0978 or (02) 6205 0982
Belconnen Health Centre on (02) 6205 1541 or (02) 6205 1202;
Phillip Health Centre on (02) 6205 1463 or (02) 6205 1695; or
Tuggeranong Health Centre on (02) 6205 2768 or (02) 6205 0585.
I am looking for early learning support
Canberra offers a number of early learning services for children with disability. You can download the Guide to Childrens’ Services which provides detailed information.
Local disability support organisations may also be a source of information about early learning groups. Services designed for children with disability include:
Play-Connect
Families with a child zero to six years, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ASD like symptoms are welcome to join a Play-connect playgroup. Your child does not need an ASD diagnosis to join.
Contact 1800 171 882 or email playgroupsact@ixa.net.au
My Time Playgroup (for children with chronic illness or disability)
The group gives parents or carers a chance to socialise and share ideas with others who understand the rewards and intensity of the caring role. Facilitated by ACT Playgroups Development and Support Workers.
Contact ACT Playgroups 1800 171 882 or email playgroupsact@ixa.net.au
Play and Learn
Noah’s Ark Resource Centre offers a facilitated playgroup for parents and carers with children aged zero to five years. Special needs support available. Bangalay Crescent, Rivett.
More information on play and learn
Contact (02) 6287 1117
Playing Together – a Playgroup for Children with Special Needs
A playgroup for families who have a child under the age of five yrs, with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. Brothers and sisters under five are also welcome.
More information on playing together - a playgroup for children with special needs
Contact Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre (02) 6207 8228
Noah’s Ark Children’s Resource Centres – Toy Library
Noah’s Ark Children’s Resource Centre offers a toy library service and resource library for eligible children’s services.
More information on Noah's Ark Children's Resource Center
Contact (02) 6287 1117
After School and Vacation Program
Northcott Disability Service will deliver an after school and vacation program starting first term 2012 for teenagers with high needs including those with autism. This program will be based at Black Mountain School. Ten places will be available at each program per day.
Contact: Taryn Bankier, Area Manager, Northcott Disability Services (02) 6297 6899 or email: taryn.bankier@northcott.com.au
Belconnen Community Service will deliver an after school and vacation care program for teenagers with high needs including those with autism starting first term 2012. This program will be run from the Belconnen Community Centre. Ten places will be available at each program per day.
Contact:Sonya Roelofse (02) 6264 0252 or email: sonya.roelofse@bcsact.com.au
Belconnen Community Service will also deliver an integrated vacation care program for ten weeks each for children with high needs. Ten places will be available later in 2012 for children with disability and ten places will be available for children without disability. Located at Cranleigh School.
Contact:Lee Pederick (02) 6278 8106 or email: lee.pederick@bcsact.com.au
Communities@work will deliver an integrated vacation care program for ten weeks each for children with high needs. Ten places will be available later in 2012 for children with disability and ten places will be available for children without disability. Located at Malkara School.
Contact: Lee Maiden, Executive Director, Children’s Services (02) 62936514
Early Intervention Program
The Education and Training Directorate provides a range of early intervention programs for children aged two years to school entry who have, or are at risk of having delays in development, disability, at risk from social or environmental factors and severe communication and social difficulties multiple disabilities. Programs include:
- Early Intervention Playgroups for children aged two to four year
- Early Intervention Units for children aged three to four years children with additional needs
- Language Intervention Unit for children aged three to five years with language/speech disorders where a severe delay, in the expressive and receptive language areas (not articulation), has been diagnosed by a speech pathologist
- Autism Intervention Units provide an early intervention program for children who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
More information on Early Intervention Program
Contact (02) 6205 9168
Where can I go for support with parenting skills or for my family?
ACT Child and Family Centres
The ACT Government’s Child and Family Centres provide a range of free services for children and their families in the Gungahlin, Belconnen and Tuggeranong communities who may need information, advice and assistance with parenting.
Child and Family Centres offer specialised support through individual work with children and their families, as well as delivering a range of community education and community development activities and group programs.
The Centres offer: parenting information; maternal and child health clinics, speech pathology and physiotherapy drop in clinics and relationship counselling.
More information on ACT child and family centres
Contact:
Belconnen (02) 6205 2904
Gungahlin (02) 6207 0120
Tuggeranong (02) 6207 8228
Communties@work Parenting Matters
The program supports parents by providing practical and easily accessible individual support to families to develop new skills that promote and maintain positive parent/child relationships to enable parents to deal effectively and positively with their children's behaviour.
More information on Communities@work parenting matters
Contact (02) 6100 7160
ParentLink
ParentLink is designed to increase parents' confidence and skills by supporting and linking them with a network of information, ideas and community services.
More information on ParentLink
Raising Children
Raising Children Online resource that provides information to assist parents who have a child with disability.
More information on raising children
Help for Working with Families
Also see Family, Friends and Carers
Disability ACT policy on Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families
Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families Policy [PDF 105KB] [Word 249KB]
AFFIRM
This program is coordinated by Tandem. It provides intensive, flexible support to families of children and young people aged 7 – 20 yrs with a disability, complex needs and where the family is at risk of breakdown.
More information on AFFIRM
Contact (02) 6287 2870
Carers ACT Flexible Family Support
Carers ACT Flexible Family Support program works with the whole family to identify support networks to develop and achieve long term goals to sustain caring roles.
More information on Carers ACT Flexible Family Support
Family Counselling and Mediation Services
free information on counselling and mediation services for families considering arrangements for current or future care of a family member. Coordinated by CatholicCare.
More information on family counselling and mediation services
Contact (02) 6162 6100
Hartley Lifecare Family Governance Program
Supports families in managing their own programs and make choices about their son’s or daughter’s lives. This includes vocational opportunities, recreational support and living opportunities.
More information on Hartley Lifecare Family Governance Program
Sibling
Siblings support Siblings Australia
'Supporting Siblings' booklet available from the Association for Children with a Disability
Optimal Outcomes
Optimal Outcomes offers education sessions about Autism and Asperger Education sessions and can assist with person centred planning.
More information on optimal outcomes
Contact Deanne Michael on 0429 983 936 or (02) 62963589
Youth and Wellbeing Program
The Youth and Wellbeing Program is funded through ACT Health. The purpose is to support young people in the community between 12 to 25 years of age who have a mental health condition and/or drug and alcohol, anger and behavioural concerns and related issues. The staff at Youth and Wellbeing aim to encourage resilience and independence through a process of support, education and advocacy.
More information on youth and wellbeing program
Support groups in the ACT
There are lots of local organisations that provide support and information for families
School age
Starting school is an important step for children and for parents. For general information about school enrolment go to www.det.act.gov.au
Are there services for students with disability?
How can I find out about support networks?
Financial support and assistance
Taking a break from caring
I need help at home
Find out about equipment, technology and modifications
Services for students
ACT public schools offer a range of specialist settings and programs for children and students with a disability. If your child has a disability and you wish to find out what services and support are available in your area please contact your school counsellor. Parents are not required to enrol directly in specialist settings as placement is done through a centralised process.
If your child is not currently enrolled in an ACT public school, please contact the Student Support Section of the Education and Training Directorate on 6205 6925.
A description of settings and programs is provided at the link below. If you would like further information on any of these programs please contact the Student Support Section.
Access to special education programs is through school counsellors.
More information on Services for Students with a Disability
Therapy Assistant Pilot Project
This new model of service using therapy assistants for students with disability in schools is being delivered by Therapy ACT.
Therapy Assistants will work in schools implementing therapy programs developed by physiotherapists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists in consultation with teachers. The assistants will be able to support the practice of new skills for individual children so that these skills can be generalised to the school setting and maintained.
More information on Therapy ACT
Contact Therapy ACT on (02) 6205 1277
Services for Therapy Assistant Information Sheet [PDF 122KB]
Transport for students with disability
The Education and Training Directorate can provide transport for students with disability in particular circumstances.
More information on transport for students with disability
Contact Special Needs Transport Administrator on (02) 6205 9196
How can I find out about support networks?
There are many local organisations that can provide information and support to families
Teens and Leaving School
Leaving school is a major life transition for all young people and the right kind of support can make a big difference in smoothing the way. The key to a smooth transition is to plan – and plan early.
Also see ‘Family, friends and carers’, ‘Getting out There’ and‘Working and Learning’.
Getting ready to leave school
Learning life skills for young people
Who can help with sex and relationships?
Planning for the future
Having fun and getting involved
Financial support and assistance
Taking a break from caring
I need help at home
Find out about equipment, technology and modifications
Getting ready to leave school
School Leavers Process
All young people have a unique and integral role to play within their families, their social network, and as a contributing member of the social, cultural, and economic life of the ACT community. People with disability leaving school should have the same opportunities to contribute in our community as any young person.
Some young people need help and guidance for a short period after they leave school to find their vocation and to establish their lives. Other people need ongoing support to participate in our community.
The ACT Government assists young people with disability to enhance their capacity to contribute in the life of our community. Disability ACT is the ACT Government agency responsible for developing strategic policy, allocating funding, and developing, providing, and monitoring services for people with disability in the ACT and the families who care for them.
Types of Formal Support Available
Disability ACT provides two types of services for young people with disability who are leaving school:
- Transitional Pre vocational Support though House With No Steps – available for up to 3 years
The Transition Service assists young people to gain the necessary experience and skills to undertake vocational and employment activities including further training and education, volunteer work as well as paid employment. The Transition Service will also assist the young person in making connections in their community by building skills and relationships. - Ongoing Community Access Services
Community access services assist people with disability to develop skills and to participate within our community. Community access services are provided to people with high support needs who require ongoing alternatives to paid employment. “Ongoing” means they will have access to these services each year, and won’t have to reapply for support.
Disability ACT and House with No Steps have met with students in Year 12 who have already submitted a school leaver referral, to start the planning process.
If you have a family member in Year 12 who has a disability and is likely to need additional support upon graduating in 2012 and would like to explore options beyond school, we encourage you to complete a referral form – as soon as possible.
For further information please contact Disability ACT’s Information Service on P: 6207 1086 or E: DisabilityACT@act.gov.au
School Leavers Information Pack [HTML] [PDF 441KB] [Word 95KB]
School Leavers Referral Form [PDF 402KB] [Word 128KB]
Learning Life Skills for Young People
Links for Life
This is a life and recreational skills program for young people with intellectual disabilities who have recently graduated from school. The target age group is 18-30 years. Some of the participants are engaged in the workforce or attend other programs. The aim of the program is to develop a sense of independence and well being.
Contact disability programs at Gungahlin Youth Centre Phone (02) 6123 4488
Living Skills Tandem
The Living Skills Program focuses specifically on supporting adults with disability to enhance their level of independence through the development of new skills. Support is usually provided for a period of 6 to 12 months with an aim for clients to increase their skills during this time and eventually withdraw from service.
More information on Livign Skills Tandem
Contact (02) 6288 0955
Koomarri Community Access Program
Enables people with disabilities, through a skills development program, to acquire the skills they need to live in the community and obtain greater independence.
Koomarri Community Access Program
Contact Koomarri on (02) 6280 6143
Hartley Community Access Program
Enables people with disabilities, through a skills development program, to acquire the skills they need to live in the community and obtain greater independence.
More information on Hartley Community Access Program
Contact (02) 6282 4411
Communities@Work
Communities@Work provide services and support for people with a disability through a number of programs. The Connections@Cooleman Program gives people with disabilities an opportunity to develop living skills such as cooking, computer skills, arranging transport and outings, food handling and storage, and understanding personal boundaries. It provides a choice of leisure activities at differing skill levels including music, craft, dance, tennis, woodwork, games, art and Tai Chi to increase the persons health and wellbeing.
More information on Communities@Work
Contact (02) 6288 4744
SoSAFE Visual/Conceptual Tools to promote Social Safety
SoSAFE! Is run by Sexual Health and Family Planning. This is a set of visual and conceptual tools designed to promote social safety to clients with an Intellectual
Disability (moderate to severe range) and Autism Spectrum Disorder. SoSAFE! tools promote social safety through the provision of a simplified and rule-governed model of social reality that teaches the type and degree of verbal and physical intimacy appropriate with different categories of people.
More information on SoSAFE
Contact SHFPACT on (02) 6247 3077
Who can help with sex and relationships?
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT(SHFPACT) can assist young people and their families to navigate their way around sexual health and relationships.
More information on sexual health and family planning ACT
Contact SHFPACT on (02) 6247 3077
ParentLink provides information and ideas for parents about young people and relationships.
More information on ParentLink
