All behaviour happens for a reason. Behaviours of concern are no different. Behaviour is a form of communication; our role is to provide behaviour support by trying to understand or determine what your child is trying to tell you.
Behaviours of concern?
Provide children with strategies to express and regulate their emotions.
Experience with complex needs, developmental delay or disability.
Start your journey by completing our referral form today!
What is behaviour support?
Behaviour support can help children and their families prevent or reduce behaviours of concern, which usually occur when a child’s needs are not being met by their environment, further impacting their quality of life. Our psychologists use evidence-based models that focus on a range of preventative strategies to assist with developing new skills, communicating effectively, managing emotions and so much more.
Behavioural therapy takes a collaborative and capacity-building approach by engaging and working with the family, their educators and other health professionals. This ensures that the important people in the child’s life have the right tools to support their behaviour in all environments.
Behaviours of concern present differently in different people. It is important to remember that some behaviours perceived as being of concern may be age-appropriate, for example, a three-year-old not wanting to share or wait their turn. Other challenges may be because the child has learning difficulties, a medical condition or with disability.
Our therapists are experienced in working with children who have complex needs, developmental delay or disability.
Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) supports 15 National Boards and is responsible for regulating health professions. The primary role is to protect the public and set standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet. All our Growing Early Minds psychologists are registered AHPRA practitioners.
How a practitioner can help?
Every child is different, and the goals will depend on their individual needs. Some aims of behaviour support may include:
- Helping families and carers to identify causes of behaviour
- Empowering children to communicate their needs in appropriate ways
- Providing children with strategies to express or regulate their emotions
- Implementing environmental adaptations to support the child
- Reducing tantrums, aggression and other disruptive behaviour
- Teaching appropriate replacement behaviours
- Increasing compliance and following instructions
- Improving school performance and attention
Signs my child may benefit
There are a number of signs which could indicate your child may benefit from behaviour support. These may include:
- Presenting with behaviour that is disruptive or concerning
- Difficulty coping with big changes or transitions in life
- Experienced trauma and is unable to cope
- Expressing frustration, anger or aggression
- Non-compliance and school refusal
- Signs of withdrawal and anxiety
- Sibling conflict and rivalry
- Lacking impulse control
- Poor communication skills
- Poor concentration skills
- Poor social skills
- Toileting issues
Behavioural support for children covers a lot of areas, to gain a better understanding through an article from our experts, Challenging Behaviours – a positive approach to behaviour support.
What happens during a session
Our sessions range from 30, 45 or 60 minute time blocks and will be with one of our experienced psychologists or provisional psychologists. During our consultation, we’ll gather information related to the child’s lifestyle, family history, medical conditions, communication needs and the behaviours of concern.
We will then develop a written behaviour support plan and through ongoing consultations, we’ll work with the child, family, educators and other health professionals to ensure everyone is equipped with the right strategies and tools to prevent and respond to any behavioural situations.
Locations – clinic, mobile and telehealth
Families have the option to visit our clinic in Blacktown (Western Sydney, NSW) or we can see children in their natural everyday environments such as at home, at their child care centre, school or playgroup. Our clinics are also designed to provide telehealth services to families that reside in remote, regional or interstate locations.
Whole school programs are also available. Speak to us to find out how we can work together.
Getting started and next steps
Making an appointment
If you feel therapy might be beneficial contact us today. You don’t need a referral from a GP or paediatrician, although this may help offset the cost of therapy. We will discuss with you the best pathway, fees and provide you with our referral form, along with any other important information we’ve discussed. Alternatively, you can download our referral form directly from our website here. After you complete and submit your referral form we will finalise a service agreement and contact you to discuss the signing and booking of your first consultation.
Fees and funding options
Costs can vary and depends on a number of factors including the time needed per session, the depth of an assessment, location and travel requirements. We’re registered NDIS and Medicare provider and some families may be eligible for financial support or funding packages to help offset the cost of therapy. Learn more about the different funding packages
