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Education, language and literacy clinic (ELLC)

Has your child been experiencing ongoing difficulties with one or more of the following?

Reading – sounding out words, reading with expression, reading fluently and accurately
Reading comprehension – understanding and/or remembering what they have read
Writing – coming up with ideas, planning, structure, grammar
Written expression – writing a piece that is interesting, that makes sense, that has enough information and is on topic
Spelling
Maths calculations – addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Mathematical reasoning – problem solving, understanding money, time, reading graphs etc.
Struggling with learning in general

Depending on your child’s age and situation, they may present with a range of different signs/symptoms

Teachers may also have expressed concern about your child’s literacy and learning progress. The school may be trying various accommodations and strategies but perhaps these are not making enough difference.

Your child could be feeling anxious about his/her own academic ability compared to peers and there could be a risk that your child will disengage from learning.

Perhaps you have previously obtained an assessment for your child and/or have tried targeted intervention, but the difficulties continue.

Alternatively, perhaps your child has not yet had an assessment or tried intervention, and maybe you are unsure where to start.

If your child presents with one or more of the difficulties listed above on an ongoing basis, then they could benefit from an ELLC assessment.

To find out more about early intervention programs or services available near you, contact us today.

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What is ELLC?

Early Start Australia offers a family-centred and multidisciplinary team approach to education, language and literacy assessment, intervention and case-management through the ELLC.

Parent meeting

In the first instance, parents meet with ELLC Manager Liselle Grant (Senior Speech Pathologist and Primary/Secondary Teacher) and Moya Matthews (Psychologist) in order to obtain information about your concerns..

Multi-Disciplinary Assessment

Your child will then undertake Speech Pathology language and literacy assessments as well as Psychology cognitive and educational assessments. Assessment will also include liaison with your child’s teachers.

Depending on whether your child has already received targeted intervention for their specific literacy or learning difficulties or not, will govern which assessment approach the ELLC will take

Approach 1

If your child has not received a targeted intervention to date, then the assessment will consist of a:

Parent interview
Teacher liaison
Psychology Cognitive Assessment identify/rule-out cognitive difficulties
Speech Pathology Language and Literacy Assessment
Feedback session
Teacher feedback
Six months of targeted intervention.

The initial assessment and preliminary report writing process will take approximately 5 weeks. Your child will then be required to undertake six months of a targeted, evidence-based intervention. Early Start Australia | Vic | Box Hill is one of the centres that can provide this intervention.

At the end of the six months, your child will complete:

Psychology Education Assessment (i.e. different to the Cognitive Assessment)
Speech Pathology Assessment (i.e. targeted literacy sub-tests).

Assessment results will be provided as an Appendix to the preliminary report. A diagnosis may potentially be provided and/or further recommendations are made.

Approach 2

If your child has already received a targeted intervention for six-months, then the assessment will consist of a:

Parent interview
Teacher liaison
Psychology Cognitive Assessment identify/rule-out cognitive difficulties
Psychology Education Assessment (i.e. different to the Cognitive Assessment)
Speech Pathology Language Assessment
Feedback session
Teacher feedback.

The assessments and the comprehensive written report will take approximately 6 weeks. A diagnosis may potentially be provided and/or further recommendations will be made.

These approaches are in-line with the mandated requirements under the

Health professionals in Australia, America and many countries in Europe must refer to the mandated criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) handbook when diagnosing Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) as well as a range of other disorders. For a clinical diagnosis of SLD to be determined, a health professional must be convinced the assessment evidence satisfies the four SLD criteria required by the DSM-V.

Comprehensive reporting and feedback

A comprehensive, synthesised Speech Pathology/Psychology Assessment Report will be produced including recommendations. Feedback sessions are provided to both parents and teachers.

Ongoing case-management

To streamline your experience, Liselle and Lisa will continue to case-manage your child’s progress throughout the time your child undertakes assessment and intervention at Early Start Australia | Vic | Box Hill (periodically reviewing your child’s progress).

ELLC Assessment benefits

Having your child assessed through the ELLC can not only provide you, your child’s educators and other health providers with a deeper understanding of the specific education, language and literacy issues that are occurring, but will also enable your child to receive targeted, evidence-based intervention to address their specific difficulties.

Gain insight and anxiety relief

Assessment enables your child to adjust perspective and increase positivity
Helps to ease feelings of anxiety and disengagement with school, as well as give them achievable goals to work towards.

Potential diagnosis

Assessment may either form part of an ongoing diagnostic process, or potentially result in a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) to be diagnosed.
For an SLD to be diagnosed, a child’s difficulties cannot be attributed to cognitive ability or other factors (such as hearing, vision, emotional, environmental, social factors impacting on their opportunity to learn).

Enhance advocacy

Equips you with facts and knowledge about your child’s specific education, language and literacy difficulties
You can effectively advocate for school and community participation support.
This support may take the form of teachers incorporating some strategies/accommodations for your child in the learning environments (such as the classroom), obtaining ‘special consideration’ for assessments, and/or potentially securing some funding (if eligible and attending an Independent School).

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The Early Start Australia promise

Holistic care and treatment plans

Our multi-disciplinary team works together with you to understand your child’s needs. From there, we’ll develop a plan with evidence-based strategies. Work with us to achieve your goals and enjoy a better quality of life.

Australia-wide reach

With clinics in every state and territory, and an experienced team of therapists. Find help when you need it, where you need it.

Registered NDIS provider

We are a registered NDIS provider and are here to help you on your NDIS journey. We provide quality and safe services, follow NDIS requirements, and support your needs and goals.

Early intervention at all stages

Early intervention is not just for young children. We offer therapies that cater to all ages, needs and abilities, and we know the sooner you start your therapy journey, the better your outcomes. With us, you can learn new skills and enjoy more freedom and control in your life.