Youthrive is celebrating four years since it launched its unique integrated therapy services clinic on the Gold Coast, which conveniently provides psychology, speech pathology and occupational therapy practitioners in the one location.
This multi-disciplinary approach allows therapists to work together to conduct an assessment of key developmental social, emotional, speech, language, problem solving and motor-functioning challenges to develop an integrated plan tailored to meet the individual needs of children and young people to equip them with the skills they need to thrive.
Youthrive Psychologist, Dr Kelly Bowers, said it is not uncommon for children and young people to experience delays in more than one area.
“The concept of integrated therapy is still relatively new, but there is evidence that employing a more holistic therapeutic approach helps address a lot of dynamic challenges at the same time, giving children the opportunity to gain confidence and to sustain long-term outcomes,” Dr Bowers said.
“A lot of people don’t realise how much children and young people can benefit from some additional developmental support with different needs at different ages.
“Psychologists can help with emotional and social issues, while speech pathologists can work on speech impediments, articulating words and communicating better. Occupational therapists help develop better fine and gross motor skills – controlling movement, coordination and energy. Kids might need support from one specialist or an integrated plan for combining the services of two or three,” he said.
Patients may be eligible for rebates as Youthrive is a registered provider for Medicare and some private health funds. A range of government and other funding support which may assist with therapy costs, is also available for people with some diagnosed conditions, including Autism. Youthrive is also an approved FoHCSIA provider under the ‘Helping Children with Autism’ and ‘Better Start for Children with Disabilities’ initiatives.
For more information about children and young people’s development and the services available to help overcome difficulties, phone the Robina clinic on (07) 5575 7122 or North Lakes on (07) 3204 5200.