Developmental Educator - Allied Health Professional
Our team of registered Developmental Educators are suitably qualified and recognised by the NDIA to conduct functional capacity assessments and provide detailed reports and recommendations of services and supports.
Our team uses NDIS preferred assessments of Vineland-3, WHODAS 2.0 and LSP-16.
Developmental Educators are recognised allied health professionals under the NDIS Provider Suitability Guide and provide services and supports for core and capacity building under the following NDIS Registration Groups:
0128 – Therapeutic supports
Therapeutic supports are provided to assist participants aged from 7 years to apply their functional skills to improve participation and independence in daily, practical activities in areas such as language and communication, personal care, mobility and movement, interpersonal interactions and community living.
0102 – Assistance to access and maintain employment or higher education
Workplace assistance enables a participant to successfully obtain and/or retain employment in the open or supported labour market. This can include:
- individual employment support
- employment preparation and support in a group
- school leaver employment supports
- transition through school and to further education
0125 – Participation in community, social and civic activities [Participate Community]
Assisting participants to participate actively in the community, social and civic activities, including supporting participants during these activities, and developing participants’ ability to partake in these activities.
0106 – Assistance in coordinating or managing life stages, transition and supports [Assist-Life Stage, Transition]
This registration group includes short and long-term supports that focus on strengthening the participant’s ability to coordinate their supports, and to assist them to live at home and participate in their community. This includes:
- support connection
- coordination of supports
- assistance with accommodation and tenancy obligations
- Life transition planning including mentoring, peer support and individual skill development
- assistance with decision making, daily planning, budgeting
0110 – Specialist Positive Behaviour Support [Behaviour Support]
The Specialised Positive Behaviour Support registration group includes support items provided by allied health professionals with specialist skills in positive behaviour support including assessment and the development of a comprehensive plan that aims to reduce and manage behaviours of concern.
0118 – Early Intervention Supports for Early Childhood [Early Childhood Supports]
Provision of a mix of therapies and a key worker for the family.
This registration group supports all children 0-6 years with developmental delay or disability and their families to achieve better long-term outcomes, regardless of diagnosis. All children and families will be treated as individuals to ensure that they receive the right support to meet their goals and aspirations. The type of supports will be different for every child and their family according to their needs.
0132 – Support Coordination
The provision of Support Coordination within a specialist framework is necessitated by specific high-level risks in the participant’s situation. Support is time-limited and focuses on addressing barriers and reducing complexity in the support environment while assisting the participant to connect with supports and build capacity and resilience. It may also involve the development of an intervention plan which will be put in place by disability support workers.
0136 – Group and Centre Based Activities [Group/Centre Activities]
Assisting participants to participate in group-based community, social and recreational activities.
What is a Developmental Educator (DE)?
Developmental Educators are highly skilled multi-disciplinary disability specialists with passion and expertise in fostering the skills, independence and quality of life of individuals with developmental and/or acquired disabilities. They have a practical approach and work holistically across the life span to address issues that may affect the function, independence and social inclusion of individuals with a disability, their families and carers.
Developmental Educators implement and develop methodologies that enable the application of effective strategies to support the individual developmental learning goals of people who experience challenges such as acquired brain injury, physical and neurological disabilities, autism spectrum, intellectual disability, and other disabilities.
They also work closely with families and caregivers, and other allied health professionals who may be involved in the support of an individual.
Developmental Educators are highly valued and sought-after professionals in the disability sector, by both parents of individuals with disability and disability service providers to provide developmental and behavioural assessments and intervention supports in line with NDIS Plan.
A Developmental Educator, focuses on developing individualised learning strategies, tools and supports with positive outcomes for individuals across the lifespan, including but not limited to:
- Environmental audits/assessments
- NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) and Adaptive Behaviour Assessments with a comprehensive report, including recommendations – Vineland 3, WHODAS 2.0, LSP-16
- Sensory Profile assessment & report
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) assessment & plan development
- Crisis Plan Management
- Developing informative individual profiles
- Individualised support plans (person-centred approach)
- Goal and vision planning
- Capacity building and community participation
- Facilitating self-determination and self-advocacy
- Establishing effective communication methods
- Cultivating positive interpersonal skills
- Workplace/education support
- Workplace/education mediation and support
- Providing workplace/education training & workshops
- Transition Support – e.g. school to higher education, education to employment
- Developing independent living skills
- Enhancing Quality of Life (QoL) and community participation
- Working in alignment with the NDIS in providing Choice & Control overall services and supports provided
Developmental Educators embrace a collaborative approach by working with health and educational professionals, support staff, employers, employees, families and caregivers to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of a person-centred approach in fostering positive support and enhancement of life outcomes.
