Speak to your GP:

• Your child may be eligible for a chronic medical condition and complex care needs plan. This plan can entitle your child to up to 5 sessions, partly covered through medicare for a variety of allied health professionals (e.g. dietitian, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, physiotherapist), per year.

• Your child may be eligible for NDIS funding (more details on this below)

Search your local health district: Most hospital services have a free allied health service available. You are usually able to place your child’s name on a waitlist with no referral. This allows your child access to a limited amount of services as determined by the health team.

Do you want to know more about if your child may be eligible for NDIS

The NDIS has lots of resources available online, however, if your child does not have a diagnosis but is behind in their blue book milestones, your GP or nurse may suggest applying for the NDIS.

The key thing that makes your child eligible:

•  They need to require a response that involves more than one health professional supporting them in more than one area of delay. For example, a child is unlikely to be eligible if a speech pathologist alone can help their language delay, without needing support or consultation from other professionals.

• Children with Diagnosed hearing loss may also be eligible for the NDIS: To qualify your child must have auditory neuropathy or hearing loss of at least 25 decibels in either ear at 2 or more adjacent frequencies, as shown in a specialist audiological assessment. The evidence must show your hearing loss is likely to be permanent.

 See the links below for full details:

What about children younger than 6 with developmental delay? | NDIS

How will early intervention help you? | NDIS

 If you are confused or need help, feel free to reach out to our speech pathology team at the Grove Academy and we can help guide you to ensure that your child gets access to the services they need.