Aspire Early Intervention St Leonards

Get to know Aspire Early Intervention St Leonards

From Aspire Early Intervention St Leonards's website.

• Our approach

  At Aspire, therapy is grounded in evidence-based techniques including the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI). Sessions use a play-based and holistic approach with strategies such as verbal behaviour, natural environment training, play coaching, and discrete trial training. Parent involvement is central to the work—parents learn skills and tools to support their child's learning at home and across different environments. Sessions are tailored to each child's individual needs and targets, with clinicians creating personalised plans based on assessment and behavioural observation. The focus is on teaching children language, motor skills, play, social skills, attending skills, and theory of mind while equipping families with techniques to manage learning barriers and reinforce positive behaviours.

• Working with families

  Parents are considered the most important factor in their child's learning and are actively involved throughout the program. Comprehensive parent training is built into all programs, with extensive sessions where parents learn proven techniques to support their child's development at home and in community settings. Fortnightly team meetings and regular parent coaching sessions allow families to collaboratively set and review goals with the program manager and team. The provider recognises the challenges a learning impairment presents for the whole family and works to empower parents to manage and reduce barriers to learning while positively reinforcing improved behaviours. This partnership approach means families benefit from services across different environments beyond just clinic sessions.

• Meet the team

  The team includes experienced clinicians, Behaviour Technicians, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Behaviour Support Practitioners (BSPs), and Program Managers, creating a network of over thirty EIBI practitioners. Leadership is provided by CEO Dr Amanda Mazzoni, a registered psychologist with a PhD in Child Psychiatry and over 10 years of clinical experience, and Managing Director Dr Kylie Henderson, who holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology with more than 25 years in mental health and wellbeing. Senior Registered Behaviour Technicians (RBTs) have at least 18 months of experience and complete comprehensive in-house training and examinations. Team members are specialists in early intervention, with qualifications in psychology, behaviour analysis, and child development.

• Your first visit

  At the first appointment, an initial assessment is conducted that includes a behavioural observation and skills assessment of your child, along with a discussion with you about your child's needs and goals. Previous reports are reviewed as part of this process. The clinician will demonstrate some techniques, answer your questions, and assess your child's strengths and weaknesses to determine the suitability of their programs for your family. This assessment helps create a personalised plan and provides a foundation for understanding what support your child may need, all while helping you feel confident about the path forward.