Depending on where you live and your child’s hearing loss, your child may be eligible for Australian Government funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The first stage of the NDIS began at a number of trial sites in July 2013. The NDIS is available in the ACT.
The National Disability insurance Agency (NDIA) has developed a pathway for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to access the National Disability insurance Scheme with minimal delay following the diagnosis of hearing loss in a child aged 0-6 years. (For more information: NDIS Pathway Hearing Stream 0-6 years)
If your child is not eligible for NDIS funding, you are still able to access early intervention services at minimal or no cost to your family. Contact the services listed below and discuss what services they are able to provide your child.
The information provided in the table below lists the organisations who provide early intervention services for children with hearing loss and their families.
| THE SHEPHERD CENTRE (TSC) | |
| Contact details | Nealie Place Rivett ACT 2611 Phone: 02 9370 4402 Website: http://www.shepherdcentre.org.au/ |
| NDIS Provider Panel | Yes |
| Services provided | Home-based or centre-based Early intervention and school age services Cochlear implant medical service – supporting children and young people before, during and after surgery Integrated Preschools for children with hearing loss (alongside children with no hearing loss) available at Liverpool and Wollongong Individual weekly, fortnightly or monthly therapy sessions Speech, language and social skills development programs for young children, primary and secondary school students Weekly children’s playgroup Individual Family Plan or Individual Education Plan Parent support group; parent education sessions School readiness program Listening, speech and language assessments Individual family/sibling social support sessions |
| Communication options | Auditory-Verbal Therapy |
| Cost to family | No additional fees |
| Additional comments | N/A |
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| NEXTSENSE (formerly RIDBC) | |
| Contact details |
RIDBC Canberra (and SCIC Canberra) |
| NDIS Provider Panel | Yes |
| Services provided | Hearing and vision assessment services on-site or via teleconference Early intervention services for both vision or hearing loss Therapy and diagnostic services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology Cochlear implantation assessment, rehabilitation and ongoing support services through our SCIC Cochlear Implant Program |
| Communication options | Auditory-verbal Auditory-oral Auslan |
| Cost to family | No |
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For more information...
Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is not intended as a substitute for independent professional advice.
24-Mar-2023 9:32 AM (AEST)