We offer a variety of different services at Happy Dots, from individual sessions, to
group therapy programs, to home visits, school visits and more. Click on the
heading below to explore more about each of the services we offer.
An initial assessment is booked for 90 minutes where a series of specifically chosen standardised and non-standardised tests are carried out on your child.
Our meet & greet sessions are designed for those families who may not be sure on whether or not OT will be best suited to them.
We feel that it is important to conduct review assessments for children who have participated in therapy on an ongoing basis.
Following an assessment, individual therapy sessions of 45-minutes each may be recommended for your child.
Screenings can be conducted at various schools and reschools upon request. An Occupational Therapist will come to you on site, and screen each child.
Our group therapy programs include school readiness programs, music and movement groups, Motor Skills groups, fussy eating groups and social skills groups.
School-based therapy is beneficial for the child as it allows for a direct relationship between the therapist and the teacher. (School visits are subject to availability.)
Parent & Teacher workshops can be tailored to meet your needs and can be held on site or at our Happy Dots clinics.
We stock a wide variety of OT based resources & products that we feel your child would benefit from a result of attending our therapy sessions. We have a selection of resources available in each of our clinics.
We are able to offer home visits on a regular basis, or as a one off consultancy based visit to help set up strategies for your home environment. Home visits are subject to availability & location.
Telehealth options are available to families who live out of area or can not get to the clinic for a face-to-face appointment.
We are excited to provide community outreach therapy to rural areas. Please enquire if this is something you are interested in
Our dedicated team of certified speech-language pathologists are here to support individuals of all ages in developing effective communication skills. From articulation and language development to voice modulation and fluency, we tailor our approach to meet each individual's unique needs.
For Children who have a diagnosis of Autism or other Pervasive Developmental Disorder (including Asperger’s.) Medicare provides rebates of $70.65 for up to 20 Occupational Therapy sessions. You will need to contact your Paediatrician or Psychiatrist before your Occupational Therapy Assessment to access this funding.
This Medicare scheme allows up to 5 subsidised sessions for allied health professionals, such as Occupational Therapy, within each calendar year. The child must initially be referred from a GP or Paediatrician in order to utilise the Medicare rebate of $53.80 per session. Rebate may be more for those families who have reached their safety net
Our therapists are authorised providers for most private health funds. In order to find out whether rebates are available the family must first contact their private health fund to confirm that your plan covers Occupational Therapy services. We have HICAPS available across all of our clinic sites to ensure easy on the spot claiming.
People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decent can access Medicare rebates of $53.80 for 5 Occupational Therapy sessions per calendar year in addition to the Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan.
Under the Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) initiative – Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and vision or hearing impairments, including deaf blindness will be considered for eligibility. This funding includes up to $12,000 in funding for early intervention services and treatments for eligible children. Happy Dots is also a provider of Better Start funding!
NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Agency – a new way of providing community linking and individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers. Funding varies according to individual circumstances so please call 1800 800 110 for more information on how this funding would apply to you.
We are registered with NDIS to provide Therapeutic Supports (0128) to clients who are agency managed, plan managed and self managed. For Early Childhood Supports (0118) we can provide support if you are plan managed or self managed.
A government initiative for dependents of the Australian Defence Force that provides $400 per family member per year to be used on allied health services such as Occupational Therapy. This allowance can be used in addition to your usual private health allowance. To register for the Program the ADF member must complete Web Form AD858-1 ADF Family Health, which can be found here.
The Helping Children with Autism Access to Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Sometimes called Medicare Item 135 or Item 137
This plan provides the following:
- 4 appointments for private diagnosis referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist to a psychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, optometrist, orthoptist or physiotherapist. This is called the "Helping Children with Autism Increased Access to Diagnosis."
- 20 sessions with a psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, audiologist, optometrist, orthoptist or physiotherapist. This is called the "Helping Children with Autism Treatment Plan."
- This plan was previously only available to those under 13 years old. As of March 2023, this plan is now available for those under 25 years old.
Helping Children with Autism - Increased Access to Diagnosis
You have the option of using the medicare rebate system to help pay for private assessments. Your paediatrician or psychiatrist can diagnose you or your child with autism, in collaboration with the allied health professionals listed above. The rebate allows a total of 4 sessions with the professionals (together, not each)
Helping Children with Autism - Increased Treatment Plan
With a diagnosis of autism, you will be eligible for 20 sessions of therapy with one of the above listed allied health professionals. Your peadiatrician or psychiatrist will develop a treatment plan with you. These rebates can only be used once in your lifetime. The plan for therapy must be written by your 25th birthday and the 20 sessions can only be used before your 25th birthday. If you are near your 25th birthday when you receive your diagnosis, your treatment plan will include alternative services.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Happy Dots acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
CARDIFF
Suite 2, 342-346 Main Rd,
Cardiff, NSW, 2285
MEDOWIE
Medowie Sports & Business Centre,
58 Ferodale Rd, Medowie, NSW, 2318
