Is Butter Fish Services a registered NDIS provider?

Yes — Butter Fish Services is a registered NDIS provider, approved to deliver Assist Access/Maintain Employ, Early Childhood Supports, Daily Tasks/Shared Living, Assist-Life Stage, Transition, Innov Community Participation, Participate Community, Behaviour Support, Development-Life Skills, Assist-Travel/Transport, Support Coordination and Therapeutic Supports. You can use NDIS funding for eligible supports.

What services does Butter Fish Services provide?

Butter Fish Services provides Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Behavioural Support and Early Intervention.

Which areas does Butter Fish Services cover?

Butter Fish Services is based in Newcastle West, NSW.

How do I connect with Butter Fish Services?

You can visit their website, or send an enquiry through EarlyBloom — it goes straight to the provider and is always free for families.

What ages does Butter Fish Services work with?

The service works with children from birth through to age 16 for diagnostic assessments, with Early Childhood Early Intervention available for children under seven.

Do I need a referral to see a speech pathologist?

No referral is needed to see one privately. You only need a GP referral if you want to access Medicare rebates or are going through certain funded pathways.

Is speech therapy covered by the NDIS?

It can be, usually under Capacity Building / Improved Daily Living, if it aligns with your child's plan goals. Check your plan or ask your support coordinator.

At what age should we see a speech pathologist?

There's no "too early." If you have concerns about your child's talking or understanding at any age, an assessment can clarify whether support would help.

How long are sessions and how many will we need?

Sessions are typically 30-60 minutes. The number depends on your child's goals; the pathologist will recommend a plan after the initial assessment.

Butter Fish Services · Speech Therapy · Newcastle West, NSW

Our approach

The service uses evidence-based behaviour analysis to help children and families understand behaviour as a form of communication. Sessions focus on identifying the reasons behind behaviours and developing practical strategies to replace challenging responses with more constructive ones. Therapists work collaboratively to equip families with tools they can use both in the moment and throughout everyday life. The approach is personalised to each child's needs, whether addressing sleep patterns, emotional communication, or learning-related behaviours. The goal is to empower children and their families with skills for long-term independence, so they don't need ongoing support in the future.

Working with families

Parents and carers are central to the service, with the approach designed to give families practical tools and strategies they can use independently. The clinicians listen to parents' needs and goals to create tailored support plans. A dedicated service delivery coordinator keeps you informed throughout the process about progress and next steps, and will work with you collaboratively to develop and adjust strategies according to life events. The service also offers school support in collaboration with teachers and can provide professional development for educators, ensuring consistency of approaches across home and learning environments.

Your first visit

At the first appointment, the service conducts a thorough assessment where clinicians listen to the issues and begin developing a personalised plan. A Behaviour Support Plan is then formulated based on response strategies and leading industry practices, tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals. The clinician will explore what the child needs to live a better, more positive life and turn that into a tangible, easy-to-reference plan. You'll walk through the plan together step by step. A dedicated service delivery coordinator will monitor progress and keep you informed throughout the entire process about next steps and when you'll hear from them again.

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