Special Needs Children
-
My friend's child has autism...how can I help?
Eight practical tips to help you to support a friend whose child is disagnosed with autism for teacher and Kids First Children's Services Director Sonja Walker
more » -
Giving kids with disabilities a Better Start
This introduction to Better Start for Children with a Disability explains how vital funding support for children with special needs makes Early Intervention more affordable for families
more » -
Apps for kids are awesome
Want to know the best apps to boost kids therapy & learning? This list from Kids First's experts is a great place to start
more » -
Understanding Sensory Integration
Sensory Processing diffulties cause many children to struggle with behaviour, learning and language. This free Kids First event for parents and teachers will provide information and tips for helping kids to succeed
more » -
Dagney is a Sensory Defender
Dagney Hopp is an Occupational Therapist who specialises in supporting children with sensory Integration challenges. Dagney uses DIR Floortime methods to unlock kids' potential and help them to connect with their world
more » -
A Better Start for Children with Disability
Kids First is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Australian Government to provide FAHCSIA funded support to children with disabilities through the Better Start program
more » -
What is Occupational Therapy?
Many parents have heard of Occupational Therapy, but are not quite sure what this important health service is all about.
This article explains what Occupational Therapists do and how a paediatric professional can help children to succeed at home and at school.
more » -
Socially Speaking
Many children with autism and language delays find it hard to be 'social'. All kids need social language skills to make friends and participate in conversations - but sometimes, special needs children need help to learn how to connect with others. In this helpful article, children's Speech Pathologist, Fiona Teudt, explains how parents can help their children to develop social language skills.
more » -
SwimFirst saves a life
How important is teaching children to swim?
Vital, according to this mum, whose disabled son's life has been saved because he took part in SwimFirst, a special swimming program for children with additional needs.
Read Luke's real life story here...
more » -
Support for children with Autism
Children with autism are making huge progress as they enjoy Bright Start, Kids First's Early Intervention program for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays.
This popular and highly successful program helps special needs kids to become more independent and self reliant as they prepare for school.
more » -
Sound Advice
Approximately 7 in every 100 Australian children will experience a speech or language delay. If not addressed early, these problems can impact on a child's overall communication, learning and social development.
Speech Pathologist, Ros Osling is a language and literacy specialist at Kids First.
Her advice about child's speech and language milestones makes compelling reading for every parent.
more » -
Swim First - Special Needs Kids Make a Splash
Kids First is proud to announce a not for profit Community Service program supporting children with special needs.
Swim First is an exciting new swimming program for kids with additional needs that provides individual swimming classes for kids who, because of their intellectual disabilities, cannot access regular group swimming lessons.
This vital new program, supported by Kids First, offers the support of qualified swimming teachers who are disability specialists and is being generously provided by Fitness First Health Centre, Dee Why and St Leonards.
more » -
Choosing a school for gifted kids
Choosing a school for your gifted child can be a challenge.
In this helpful article, Kids First Director, Sonja Walker provides helpful tips to parents, including questions to ask school principals and a list of Northern Beaches and North Shore schools that provide gifted education programs.
more » -
A Bright Start for Special Kids
Children with Autism will benefit from a new school readiness program at Kids First Children's Services in Term 3.
Designed to help children with ASD to become familiar with the environment, conventions and activities of a Kindergarten classroom, the program will be led by Kids First's experienced Special Educator, Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist...
more » -
Helping Children with Autism
Kids First has been selected by the Australian Government to provide specialised support to children with Autism.
This new initiative provides Autistic children aged 0-6 with funding to access a range of support services.
Kids First's resident health team is one of only a few services in Sydney's Northern Beaches to have been chosen for this program. Our highly skilled specialists are available now to support local children and families....
more »
