Better Start

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FaHCSIA Provider Information - Australian Clients
Better Start Initiative

As of 1 July 2011, children who are aged under 6 years and have been diagnosed with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deafblindness, can be registered to access early intervention funding. The categories of disability identified in the announcement were determined based on evidence that intensive early intervention in the pre-school years is effective in preparing this cohort of children for school.

Children with one of the listed disabilities will also be able to access new Medicare items under the Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) initiative.

The Better Start initiative includes the following components:
- Funding for early intervention services and treatments for eligible children
- Additional assistance for eligible children who live in outer-regional, rural or remote locations to help with the costs of accessing services
- A Medicare item for the development of a treatment and management plan for eligible children up to the age of 13
- Medicare items for up to four allied health diagnostic services, the results of which contribute to the development of the treatment and management plan, and
- Medicare items for up to 20 relevant allied health services in total for each eligible child up to the age of 15 provided the treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13.

 

The services we offer under this package include the following:

Consultation
PECS Start-Up & Check-Up Programs
Products

 

CONSULTATION

Families may use FaHCSIA funding to access regular PECS/Pyramid intervention with one of our consultants. Intervention can focus on communication alone, or incorporate the teaching of additional skills using the Pyramid Approach to Education.


Clinical: Pyramid's clinic is located at 413 Blackshaws Road, Altona North, 3025

Home Consultation: Pyramid consultants are able to come out to your home for intervention, Australia wide.
Educational Setting: Pyramid consultants are able to come out to your child's educational setting for intervention, Australia wide.

Distance Consultation: Consultation services may be accessed via web cam or telephone. Please contact the Pyramid office for technical requirements.

 

PECS START-Up & CHECK-UP PROGRAMS

PECS Start-Up™:

The PECS Start-Up™ is perfect for any learner who has not yet begun to use PECS. The program is provided in-home, educational setting or at our Altona North clinic by one of our Pyramid consultants. A basic overview of the Pyramid Approach to Education and the PECS Protocol will set the scene for introducing PECS successfully to the learner. After a reinforcer assessment has been completed, an evaluation of the environment and the learner’s daily routine will assist in identifying and creating communication opportunities. Information regarding teaching strategies and error correction procedures will be provided. Those living and working with the learner will have the opportunity to practice each of the required teaching techniques with the Pyramid consultant prior to using them with the learner.
See our PECS Start-Up™ & PECS Check-Up™ page for further details

PECS Check-Up™:

The PECS Check-Up™ can be completed following a PECS Start-Up or if your learner is using PECS. It is suitable for any learner currently using PECS. Across 2 days, the in-home, educational setting or clinic program is used to review the learner's current PECS and critical communication skills. The Pyramid consultant will provide feedback to assist with the correct implementation of PECS. Those living and working with the learner will have the opportunity to practice teaching strategies and error corrections with the Pyramid consultant prior to using them with the learner.
See our PECS Start-Up™ & PECS Check-Up™ page for further details


PRODUCTS

Products which are required for a child's intervention program may be purchased using FaHCSIA funding. These products must be used directly by the child as part of an intervention program currently being accessed under the Helping Children with Autism package. Up to 35% of FaHCSIA funding can be used on appropriate resources to a maximum of $4200.00 in total ($2100.00 per financial year).

Ordering Pyramid Australia products using your FaHCSIA funding:

Where your child is receiving intervention provided by Pyramid Australia:

If your child is receiving intervention provided by Pyramid Educational Consultants of Australia, or you have recently attended one of our workshops using your funding, you can order products by emailing us at admin@pecsaustralia.com


Where your child is receiving intervention from another FaHCSIA approved service provider:

 

Please click on the link below if you would like a printable copy of this process:
Ordering Pyramid Resources through your FaHCSIA approved service provider

Please refer to the online store to see a list of our current products
Australian Online Store (prices include GST)

If you are a FaHCSIA approved Early Intervention Service Provider and would like to supply your clients with products sold by
Pyramid Educational Consultants of Australia, please contact us at admin@pecsaustralia.com

 

Click here for further information regarding the Better Start Initiative