Early Start Australia - Deakin

Get to know Early Start Australia - Deakin

From Early Start Australia - Deakin's website.

• Our approach

  Early Start Australia uses evidence-based therapy delivered by occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech pathologists, dietitians and allied health assistants. Sessions are tailored to each child's individual needs, strengths and interests, with therapists working closely with families to ensure strategies are meaningful and practical across different environments. The service emphasizes a collaborative, family-centered approach where therapists support children to develop language, motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills through activities that are engaging and fun. Whether your child is working on daily living skills, communication, movement, play or emotional regulation, therapy is designed as a safe space for children to try new things and build both their skills and confidence.

• Working with families

  Families are central to the therapy model. Therapists work closely with parents and carers, sharing information and providing evidence-informed advice throughout the therapy journey. Parent coaching is offered to help embed strategies into daily routines and different environments. The team prioritizes building professional relationships with families, believing that when everyone feels comfortable and connected, therapy outcomes are more valuable. Regular communication and collaboration ensure that therapy practice is tailored to each child's individual needs across their home, school and community settings.

• Meet the team

  The Coomera clinic team includes occupational therapists (with backgrounds in early childhood, paediatric development, and specializations in areas like autism, ADHD, sensory integration, and social skills), speech pathologists (trained in communication, AAC, literacy and neurodiversity-affirming approaches), a physiotherapist, and allied health assistants. Team members hold relevant tertiary qualifications and professional registrations with AHPRA. Many have undertaken specialist training in areas such as DIR Floortime, SOS feeding, Sounds-Write literacy, Gestalt Language Processing and AAC. The Practice Principal is an experienced occupational therapist who has specialized in paediatric therapy for over 15 years and leads the clinic's approach to supporting children's development and wellbeing.

• Your first visit

  At your first appointment, the team will work to understand your goals, needs and dreams for your child and family. They conduct initial consultations to identify your child's unique strengths, challenges and support needs, which guides the development of a personalized therapy plan. Assessments may be offered to help understand your child's current abilities and areas where they might benefit from extra support. From there, the therapists will tailor your therapy package and work with you collaboratively to help your child and family thrive, with regular communication to ensure services continue to meet your evolving needs.