Your child can start to receive the support they need through different Programs at Bridges for Learning. The easiest way to quickly access services is to ring us and let us guide you through what is available for your specific child and family.

Details of our primary Programs are below.

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Therapy & Educational Program

A comprehensive support service to assist children up to 6 years of age with a developmental delay or disability to integrate with peers into the wider community. We assist families / carers in their role to assist each child to achieve their goals and improve functional capacity. This Program provides support from a Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, and Special Educator. These professionals work closely with each other to deliver an Individual Plan designed specifically for your child. This is usually done within Group Sessions (link). Therapy is always given in the context of play, which is how children learn best, so it is both fun and therapeutic at the same time.

The ECI Therapy and Educational Program is assisted by two similar Programs:

• Early Start Transition Support Program – similar Program to above, with particular focus on Aboriginal children.
• Early Start Diagnosis Support Program – 8 week Program for newly diagnosed families.

These Programs receive funding from NSW Human Services - Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and NSW Department of Education and Training (DET).

Please see the ECI Program page for more details.

Helping Children with Autism Program

This Program aims to improve the lives of young children up to 6 or 7 years old with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families through early intensive education and treatment. The program offers a comprehensive, individualised treatment that emphasizes the child's development in the areas of language, communication, socialisation, and personal behavior. This Program provides support from a Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Child Psychologist, and may also involve a Special Educator and Family Worker.

Please see Autism Program page for more details.

This Program receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Private Therapy Sessions

Children up to the age of 12 can access private therapy sessions and assessments. (Our waiting lists for these services are often shorter.)

Please see Individual Sessions page for more details.

Family Support Services

The families of children with additional needs or medical conditions can access support too, as they are an integral link in a child's progress.

Please see Family Support page for more details.

Home Visits, Preschool and School Visits

Home visits are arranged by the staff as necessary to support the strategies in the therapy sessions and to focus on basic skills such as the child’s self care, language, and the reduction of problem behaviours. Home visits may also be used to address any specific concerns or needs of the family, such as training or emotional support.

Consultation and practical assistance visits are made by a therapist to the child’s playgroup or preschool, providing them information about ASD and specific strategies to use based on observations of the child in that setting. Strategies would focus on expressive language, interactive play with other children, learning early academic tasks, and socialisation skills.

These visits are available under any of our Services or Programs (ECI Program, Autism Program, Private Therapy Sessions, etc.)

Aboriginal Families

Early Start Transition Support is a new service for families who have a child (ages 0-5) with a disability or developmental delay who is not yet old enough to go to school. We have a team of therapists and teachers who can work alongside you to help your child to learn, and help with getting involved in playgroup, childcare, family outings and other activities.

When a child goes to Preschool or Childcare, we work closely with the staff there to plan ways to help him or her join in and benefit from each day. Our team can help with assessment of the child’s skills, suggestions, resources and training, depending on what the staff want and need.

Aboriginal families and services are especially welcome to get in touch with us. We are able to provide very flexible support with the family or community.

Free Drop In Clinics

Parents and their child (ages 0-8) are welcome to attend a drop in clinic if they have concerns about their child’s general development or specific concerns in the areas of speech and language, delayed motor (movement) skills, sensory awareness, school readiness skills or social interactions with others.

The drop in clinic at Bridges for Learning provides parents with the opportunity to informally discuss issues and seek information and advice about their child’s development with friendly, qualified professionals, including speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and/or special educator. It is not a formal assessment. Read more for dates and details. Click here for more information.