How our Integrated Therapy model helps kids to heal from trauma
What is Integrated Therapy?
Act for Kids’ Integrated Therapy Service (ITS) is a therapeutic service for children, young people, their families and/or carers who have behavioural, emotional and/or developmental difficulties due to trauma from abuse and neglect, or who are at risk of harm. A full integrated team comprises of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists.
How does Integrated Therapy help kids to heal from trauma?
Our Integrated Therapy teams work together and use their combined skills to look at different aspects of the development and general functioning of each child and their family, including the role of their relationships and experiences.
We help children and young people to overcome their experiences and challenges through an integrated therapy approach so they can reach their full potential.
Act for Kids’ Integrated Therapy Service (ITS) provides assessment and clinical interventions to children who have experienced abuse and neglect and who have suffered developmental, cognitive, social and/or emotional impairments as a result of their abuse. It is a holistic, coordinated service that aims to address the negative and lasting impacts of trauma by addressing all of a child’s trauma and developmental needs through psychology, occupational therapy and speech pathology.
“The roles of our therapists are all very inter-related,” says Act for Kids Speech Pathologist, Erika Hazi.
“Trauma can affect so many areas of mental health and development in children that why it is impossible to do this work in isolation.”
How is ITS delivered?
We don’t have a ‘one size fits all approach; every person we work with receives a tailored support plan to help them reach their own goals. Our unique multidisciplinary teams include family coaches, psychologists, occupational and speech therapists, and other specialists who provide expert help.
Our speech pathology and occupational therapy often deliver activities that have significant overlap. For example, if an occupational therapist is working with a child on handwriting and a speech pathologist is working on literacy, they may combine the intervention activities to help work on both elements at the same time.
An occupational therapist can also help a child self regulate and help them prepare for learning by being in the ‘just right’ state. This enables the speech pathologist to then step in and support building communication skills when the child is ready to learn.
How is ITS delivered?
We don’t have a ‘one size fits all approach; every person we work with receives a tailored support plan to help them reach their own goals. Our unique multidisciplinary teams include family coaches, psychologists, occupational and speech therapists, and other specialists who provide expert help.
Our speech pathology and occupational therapy often deliver activities that have significant overlap. For example, if an occupational therapist is working with a child on handwriting and a speech pathologist is working on literacy, they may combine the intervention activities to help work on both elements at the same time.
An occupational therapist can also help a child self regulate and help them prepare for learning by being in the ‘just right’ state. This enables the speech pathologist to then step in and support building communication skills when the child is ready to learn.
Why is ITS important?
“Our integrated approach allows our team to assist children, young people and their families more effectively,” says Erika.
“We’re able to have a more holistic understanding of a child and their family context when we have all of our perspectives and knowledge to draw on, and we can support our clients, and each other, through this important work.”
Last year
over 48,000
cases of child abuse were confirmed
Every
11 Minutes
another child suffers abuse or neglect
Over
29,000 kids
accessed therapy services with Act for Kids
Support
If you’re a parent and need support there are a lot of services available to help with a variety of different issues, from budgeting to managing difficult behaviour. Many of these services are provided free of charge from organisations like Act for Kids.
Empathy
Sometimes parents just need to let out some of their stress and feelings, don’t judge them or interrupt, show genuine interest in how they feel. If you’re worried about them suggest they could also talk to their doctor, a counsellor or a parent helpline.
Listen
Take the time to listen to the kids you know, engage with them and build relationships. It’s important for kids to have several safe people in their lives, not just their parents.
Connect
If you’re a parent, connect with the other parents you know through school or sport/hobby groups. They share the same challenges, offer support and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Offer Help
Offer help if you see parents struggling, it can make a big difference. You can also make some quick enquiries about free support in your local area, perhaps there’s a free class at the PCYC that you can suggest for your neighbour’s kids so they learn something new, burn some energy, make friends and their parents get a break.
Authorities
Local authorities can link families to support services to help them address any issues that might be causing stress and compromising the safety and wellbeing of their children. If you don’t speak up, who will? You can remain anonymous and you could be the person who makes a real difference to a child’s life.
Our Services
Our specialist team supports children, young people and families at our 30 centres across the country.
Therapy Services
Enhancing the wellbeing of kids and young people who have experienced trauma or are at risk of harm.
Education Services
Includes our internationally recognised Protective Behaviours program, our Early Education Program, and our in-home parent education curriculum.
Family Support
Support for parents and family members who may be feeling overwhelmed, or need help to reconnect as a family.
Counselling Services
Offering children and their family the support they need to raise happy, healthy kids and enjoy positive family relationships.