Supporting Learning for Children with Needs (SLCN) provides comprehensive psychology assessments and therapy for children and adolescents—at our Derrimut clinic, in homes and schools across Melbourne’s west and north, and via telehealth Australia‑wide. Appointments are available now.
When a child struggles with big emotions, behaviour, attention, or social communication, families crave clarity and a practical plan. A well‑conducted psychology assessment identifies strengths, pinpoints challenges, and guides evidence‑based therapy that helps children feel safer, more confident, and more connected at home, school, and in the community.
In Australia, high‑quality child psychology services are rooted in best‑practice guidelines and research—from Autism CRC’s national assessment guideline to Australian ADHD clinical guidelines—so families can trust that recommendations are consistent, ethical, and effective.
A psychologist gathers developmental history, listens to family concerns, and observes how the child communicates, plays, regulates emotions, and copes with demands across settings (clinic, home/school, or telehealth). This foundation ensures any recommendations truly fit the child and family context.
Depending on the referral question (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning, behaviour, anxiety), an assessment may include:
Results are integrated into a clear, strengths‑based formulation: what’s happening and why, what’s helping, what’s hard, and which supports will make the biggest difference right now. Families receive plain‑language feedback and a collaborative plan that can be shared with schools, paediatricians, and other therapists.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is widely used to treat anxiety and mood difficulties, and has tailored protocols for autistic children. Approaches typically include psychoeducation, graded exposure to feared situations, and coping strategies such as relaxation and cognitive re‑framing—all adapted to the child’s developmental level and communication profile.
For ADHD, Australian guidelines recommend a multimodal approach: practical non‑pharmacological strategies (parent training, CBT‑informed skills, coaching) alongside medical care when appropriate—always tailored to the child’s goals, needs, and family preferences.
Across therapies, quality practice emphasises child safety, dignity, and meaningful outcomes for families—principles reinforced by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s resources for children’s supports.
At SLCN, we bring a compassionate, evidence‑based psychology service for children and adolescents, designed to improve communication, social participation, emotional regulation, learning, and daily independence. Our therapists work closely with families to set clear goals, create personalised treatment plans, and provide practical strategies you can use at home and school.
We offer psychology assessments and therapy in‑clinic (Derrimut), at home/school, or via telehealth, ensuring access that suits family routines and reduces barriers to care.
Our process is step‑by‑step: an initial assessment, collaborative goal setting, an action plan with activities matched to your child’s age and stage, and regular reviews to track progress—all wrapped in warm, family‑centred communication.
We assess cognitive abilities (e.g., reasoning, working memory, processing speed) and academic skills to inform classroom adjustments, skill‑building goals, and the right supports at home and school. These assessments help identify learning differences and guide targeted interventions.
Following the National Guideline (Autism CRC), our autism assessments combine standardised tools, observation, developmental history, and input from families and educators to provide a clear picture of strengths, support needs, and actionable next steps.
Our ADHD assessments align with Australian ADHD clinical guidelines and provide practical recommendations spanning school supports, routines, environmental adjustments, and therapy strategies—integrated with paediatric care where needed.
When behaviour feels overwhelming (e.g., anxiety, meltdowns, sleep, low mood), we assess emotional skills, coping strategies, triggers, and protective factors—then design a therapy plan (often CBT‑informed) that builds confidence and reduces distress.
CBT‑informed programs teach children to understand feelings, challenge unhelpful thoughts, practise calming tools, and face worries step by step—supported by parent coaching so skills transfer into daily life.
We focus on practical routines, visual supports, task‑planning, and strengths‑based motivation, consistent with the multimodal recommendations of Australia’s ADHD guidelines—always personalised to the child’s profile and family priorities.
Therapy builds perspective‑taking, flexible problem‑solving, friendship skills, and self‑advocacy through playful, structured, and real‑world practice. Plans integrate school collaboration and home activities to reinforce progress.
We partner with families and teachers to embed strategies into everyday routines, track outcomes, and adjust supports as children grow—reflecting best‑practice principles for child‑centred quality supports.
Australian families increasingly ask, “How do I know these supports are safe and effective?” Good supports:
SLCN’s clinicians follow these standards and provide clear reports that families can use for school planning, NDIS reviews, or medical follow‑up.
Many families access psychology under NDIS funding categories like Capacity Building or Improved Daily Living (availability varies by plan type). In line with the NDIS Commission’s quality resources for children, we prioritise safety, dignity, and positive outcomes, and we coordinate with support coordinators where appropriate. (Use the NDIS Provider Finder to explore registered options if your plan is NDIA‑managed.)
If you’re unsure how to use your plan for psychology, our team can talk through pathways and help you plan services that align with your goals and budget.
Q: How soon can we book?
A: We have appointments available now for assessments and therapy—at clinic, home/school (Melbourne’s west & north), and via telehealth across Australia.
Q: Will therapy be tailored to my child?
A: Yes. We personalise goals and methods to your child’s developmental stage, interests, and communication profile, and we coach parents so skills stick between sessions.
Q: What if we need a formal report for school or NDIS?
A: SLCN provides clear, practical reports after assessments and at key review points, aligned with Australian best‑practice guidance.
SLCN’s psychologists bring warmth, professionalism, and evidence‑based practice to every session, supporting neurodivergent children through structured activities and therapeutic groups, and crafting clear, collaborative treatment plans and reports families can use. (Explore our team pages for current clinician bios and availability.)
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, emotions, attention, or social communication, we’re here to help—appointments are available now.
👉 Learn more and book: slcn.com.au/psychology-therapy
👉 Contact SLCN: Clinic in Derrimut | Home/School (west & north) | Telehealth Australia‑wide.
Supporting Learning for Children with Needs (SLCN)
Helping families find clarity and a confident path forward—one step at a time.
