Can I claim the cost through Medicare?
Children, who have multiple problems, can claim up to 5 visits through the Enhanced Primary Care or Medicare Plus Programme. This requires GP referral. Fees can also be claimed through a private health fund, if you are covered by the ‘extras’ cover. You will have to pay the out of pocket cost after the rebate. It is also important to know that your specific policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. Your insurance benefits may result in less coverage than anticipated. Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule, which may or may not coincide with our usual fees. As well, different insurance companies vary greatly in the types of coverage available. Some companies take care of claims promptly while others may have delayed payments.
Do I need a GP referral for assessment or therapy?
It is not mandatory to have a GP or Paediatrician referral to get your child assessed or receive therapy sessions unless you want to claim rebate through Medicare or other DSS programs. The Medicare rebate may cover part of cost and you would need to give the gap. It would be worthwhile to discuss this before you start.
How many therapy sessions will my child require?
Each child has his unique requirements. The goals appropriate for each child are determined and planned after the detailed initial assessment. The goals set for the child and the progress made by the child during therapy sessions determines the number of sessions he/she would require. It is not the number of sessions but the results achieved that decide the course of therapy. Although the child is noted for his progress weekly, a formal session is conducted with the parents reviewing the progress and updating the therapy goals in future along with providing home program. The home program immensely helps in carryover of the results of the therapy. My experience says that follow up session makes the parent understand their child better in terms of his improved Sensory Processing skills.
Is assessment mandatory? I have previous assessments so can we skip and progress to therapy sessions?
It is mandatory to have the child assessed as his whole therapy and its success depends on the impressions and analysis of the assessment. Nevertheless, the extent of the assessment can be determined based on the previous assessments done. It is worthwhile to understand that the child may not be the same as he/she was at the time of initial assessment.
I think my child is too young; even my family thinks so. Is it right to start therapy/ get him assessed? I am confused.....
Given the fact that Sensory Processing starts in the mother's womb, the sooner we start getting the sensory processing on track; sooner would the child achieve his maximum potential. Saying this I would also say that it is never too late.
During the assessment session my child was very avoiding, clinging on and I felt was not at all cooperating. What does this mean? Do I need reassessment?
The entire assessment is designed to observe and understand the Sensory Processing abilities and skills of your child. The therapist is well experienced to understand and interpret the behaviours and participation of your child. As the child is in a sensory rich environment, it may become overwhelming for him to assimilate and behave; more so when he/she has inappropriate Sensory Processing and Integration. Hence the shows an array of behaviours including the ones mentioned. There is usually no need for re-assessment and the therapist can accurately diagnose and understand the child's sensory deficiencies.
Children, who have multiple problems, can claim up to 5 visits through the Enhanced Primary Care or Medicare Plus Programme. This requires GP referral. Fees can also be claimed through a private health fund, if you are covered by the ‘extras’ cover. You will have to pay the out of pocket cost after the rebate. It is also important to know that your specific policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. Your insurance benefits may result in less coverage than anticipated. Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule, which may or may not coincide with our usual fees. As well, different insurance companies vary greatly in the types of coverage available. Some companies take care of claims promptly while others may have delayed payments.
Do I need a GP referral for assessment or therapy?
It is not mandatory to have a GP or Paediatrician referral to get your child assessed or receive therapy sessions unless you want to claim rebate through Medicare or other DSS programs. The Medicare rebate may cover part of cost and you would need to give the gap. It would be worthwhile to discuss this before you start.
How many therapy sessions will my child require?
Each child has his unique requirements. The goals appropriate for each child are determined and planned after the detailed initial assessment. The goals set for the child and the progress made by the child during therapy sessions determines the number of sessions he/she would require. It is not the number of sessions but the results achieved that decide the course of therapy. Although the child is noted for his progress weekly, a formal session is conducted with the parents reviewing the progress and updating the therapy goals in future along with providing home program. The home program immensely helps in carryover of the results of the therapy. My experience says that follow up session makes the parent understand their child better in terms of his improved Sensory Processing skills.
Is assessment mandatory? I have previous assessments so can we skip and progress to therapy sessions?
It is mandatory to have the child assessed as his whole therapy and its success depends on the impressions and analysis of the assessment. Nevertheless, the extent of the assessment can be determined based on the previous assessments done. It is worthwhile to understand that the child may not be the same as he/she was at the time of initial assessment.
I think my child is too young; even my family thinks so. Is it right to start therapy/ get him assessed? I am confused.....
Given the fact that Sensory Processing starts in the mother's womb, the sooner we start getting the sensory processing on track; sooner would the child achieve his maximum potential. Saying this I would also say that it is never too late.
During the assessment session my child was very avoiding, clinging on and I felt was not at all cooperating. What does this mean? Do I need reassessment?
The entire assessment is designed to observe and understand the Sensory Processing abilities and skills of your child. The therapist is well experienced to understand and interpret the behaviours and participation of your child. As the child is in a sensory rich environment, it may become overwhelming for him to assimilate and behave; more so when he/she has inappropriate Sensory Processing and Integration. Hence the shows an array of behaviours including the ones mentioned. There is usually no need for re-assessment and the therapist can accurately diagnose and understand the child's sensory deficiencies.
My child has fine motor difficulties and handwriting difficulties. What type of assessment can suit him? Should we only get his fine motor skill assessment done?
Difficulties in performing fine motor skills are often seen as difficulties in in-hand manipulation skills like buttoning, putting on zippers, using pencil/crayon, colouring, scissor use etc. Handwriting difficulties are also part of in-hand skills and can be counted as fine motor difficulties. The cause of such difficulties may be but is not limited to weak hand muscles, poor coordination. Hence it is necessary to perform a thorough assessment of the child's developmental abilities (i.e. his neurological development, muscle strength, fine and gross motor skills), Sensory Processing skills (as under responsive sensory systems often result in poor in hand skills), Visuo-Spatial and Perceptual Skills (assessing the eye-hand coordination and functions of vision to perceive and position objects in space).
Your therapist would find the most appropriate nature of the difficulties faced by the child to tailor best suited program to overcome his difficulties. We have to work to get to the optimum functional level of the child.
Difficulties in performing fine motor skills are often seen as difficulties in in-hand manipulation skills like buttoning, putting on zippers, using pencil/crayon, colouring, scissor use etc. Handwriting difficulties are also part of in-hand skills and can be counted as fine motor difficulties. The cause of such difficulties may be but is not limited to weak hand muscles, poor coordination. Hence it is necessary to perform a thorough assessment of the child's developmental abilities (i.e. his neurological development, muscle strength, fine and gross motor skills), Sensory Processing skills (as under responsive sensory systems often result in poor in hand skills), Visuo-Spatial and Perceptual Skills (assessing the eye-hand coordination and functions of vision to perceive and position objects in space).
Your therapist would find the most appropriate nature of the difficulties faced by the child to tailor best suited program to overcome his difficulties. We have to work to get to the optimum functional level of the child.
My child had achieved his milestones typically till he was one year. I feel he is slowing now. Can this happen?
It is observed that many children who were behaving age appropriate or faster than age regress or slow down. This is observed in their communication, behaviour and play. If such behaviours are observed or doubted it is beneficial to seek opinion and start on appropriate therapy and use parent strategies to enhance the functional social emotional development of the child. Click on this video from you tube. I think it is a good guide to understand some characteristics of typical functional development.
It is observed that many children who were behaving age appropriate or faster than age regress or slow down. This is observed in their communication, behaviour and play. If such behaviours are observed or doubted it is beneficial to seek opinion and start on appropriate therapy and use parent strategies to enhance the functional social emotional development of the child. Click on this video from you tube. I think it is a good guide to understand some characteristics of typical functional development.