CDS will review young people that already have a diagnosis. These are mostly seen in our Developmental Paediatric Clinics. CDS does not provide allied health assessments or therapy for children with a confirmed developmental/disability diagnosis. We usually liaise with the clinicians your young person is already linked with, or arrange extra assessments using your NDIS funding. Rarely, we may refer internally for allied health assessments if there is another developmental diagnosis in question.

Consider accessing the following therapy options.

• Check if your young person is eligible for NDIS. This provides funding for your young person to access NDIS approved therapy and supports. Your GP can help complete Access Forms.
• If you are not eligible for NDIS, consider accessing local University Clinic Options
• Depending on your Visa status, your child may be eligible for Medicare Care Plan options that could help subsidise the cost of therapists. Please discuss this with your GP. These include:
  • Chronic Disease Management Plan
  • Mental Health Care Plan
• If your young person has mild to moderate mental health challenges under 12, consider self-referring to Head to Health Kids Gold Coast Service - phone 1800 595 212.
• If your young person is aged 12 or above, consider Headspace. They offer in-person support, as well as phone and online options.
• There are specific Medicare Items available for young people with Autism which help to subsidise some therapy costs.
• If you have Private Health Extras Cover, discuss with your provider if they will subsidise services.
• Arrange a meeting with your young person's educator (e.g. Teacher, Guidance Officer and/or Deputy Principal). Ensure they are aware of your young person’s diagnosis so that they can develop a support plan.
• Register for the Special Needs Library – they provide extra toys and resources for young people with special needs.

See our resources page for more information on finding a private therapist, accessing one of the support services or attending one of the parenting programs we recommend.

• Seek advice from your child's educators regarding your concerns.
• Consider asking your child's educators to complete learning assessments, e.g. Cognitive Assessment (IQ testing), language assessment or literacy/reading assessments.
• If the educators are unable to complete these assessments, you can seek external assessments through:
  • One of the local University Clinics
  • Through Private Therapists – talk with your GP about a Chronic Disease Management Plan that can help subsidise the cost of this. To find a Private Therapist click here
• If you are concerned about specific areas of learning (for example reading, numeracy) consider completing the Auspeld Learning Difficulties Screening Tool.
• See our resources section

• Arrange a meeting with the School (e.g. Teacher, Guidance Officer and/or Deputy Principal)
  • Ask them to discuss a Behaviour Support Plan.
  • Ask if they have emotion regulation programs or social skill programs that your young person +/- carers can be a part of.
• If your child has been suspended or is at risk of suspension, please ask the school to send additional information through to CDS confirming escalating concerns.
• Consider attending a Behaviour Program
• We highly recommend booking an appointment with a Child/Adolescent Psychologist or Behaviour Support Clinician to start receiving support, even before we see you.
• The cost of these sessions can be subsidised using a Mental Health Care Plan arranged through your GP – this subsidises 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions per calendar year. To find a Private Therapist click here
  • Some of the local University Clinics offer Psychology services
  • If your young person has mild to moderate mental health challenges under 12, consider self-referring to Head to Health Kids Gold Coast Service - phone 1800 595 212.
  • Medicare Mental Health Centres and Kids Hubs can connect you with a range of mental health professionals for support, whatever your situation. To find a location near you, or make a free call to the national phone service on 1800 595 212 (weekdays 8:30am-5:00pm, excl. public holidays).
  • If your young person is aged 12 or above, consider Headspace. They offer in-person support, as well as phone and online options.
• Consider if your young person could access Supporting Minds - Wesley Mission Queensland has been commissioned to deliver two service streams of 3-month, moderate intensity Psychology Support for:
  • Adults (16 years +) experiencing situational distress (homeless or at risk of homelessness, have domestic violence issues, have current legal procedures pending, are in significant financial hardship  
  • LGBTIQAP+: people (12-65 years) who identify with the LGBTIQAP+ community and/or are questioning sexuality or gender identity.
• Consider accessing one of the Support Services we recommend.

Please note, our service will help with diagnosis for your child, but we have NO capacity for therapy - we help you to find this support locally in your community.

If you have imminent concerns with the safety or welfare of a young person in your care, please use the following services:

If you have concerns with the safety or welfare of a young person in your care and they do not require urgent support:

• Schedule an appointment with your young person to see their General Practitioner.
• We recommend your young person see a Psychologist/Counsellor.
  • With a Mental Health Care Plan, this subsidises 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions per calendar year.
  • Some of the local University Clinics offer Psychology services
  • If your young person has mild to moderate mental health challenges under 12, consider self-referring to Head to Health Kids Gold Coast Service - phone 1800 595 212.
  • Medicare Mental Health Centres and Kids Hubs can connect you with a range of mental health professionals for support, whatever your situation. To find a location near you, or make a free call to the national phone service on 1800 595 212 (weekdays 8:30am-5:00pm, excl. public holidays).
  • If your young person is aged 12 or above, consider Headspace. They offer in-person support, as well as phone and online options.
  • Contact the Child and Youth Mental Health Service to see if they can provide support.
• Consider if your young person could access Supporting Minds - Wesley Mission Queensland has been commissioned to deliver two service streams of 3-month, moderate intensity Psychology Support for:
  • Adults (16 years +) experiencing situational distress (homeless or at risk of homelessness, have domestic violence issues, have current legal procedures pending, are in significant financial hardship  
  • LGBTIQAP+: people (12-65 years) who identify with the LGBTIQAP+ community and/or are questioning sexuality or gender identity.
• If your child is in High School, you could talk with one of our School Based Youth Health Nurses.
• We recommend working through a Safety Plan with your young person - Safety Planning - Be You.
• See our resources section

• The NDIS is a nationally funded scheme to support people with disabilities to meet their goals.
• Services and supports, funded through the NDIS, can include assistance with activities such as therapy, transportation to enable participation in activities, help with household tasks, personal care, recreation, equipment, accommodation and more.
• Check the NDIS website to see if your young person is eligible.
• For children under age 9, contact your local Early Childhood Partner.

Our Local ECA Providers are:

• For children over 9, contact your local area coordinator.  To find your local service click here.  The contact email of our Gold Coast main partner is PITC.LAC.GOLDCOAST@ndis.gov.au
• See our resources page

• We advise booking a session with your local Child Health team to arrange supports near your home.
• The Nerang Neighbourhood Centre can provide information on community supports and residency/citizenship information.
• Consider attending a behaviour program.
• Consider accessing one of the Support Services we recommend.
• Depending on your Visa status, your child may be eligible for Medicare Care Plan options that could help subsidise the cost of therapists. Please discuss this with your GP. These include:
  • Chronic Disease Management Plan
  • Mental Health Care Plan

To find a private therapist click here.

If you have Private Health Extras Cover, discuss with your provider if they will subsidise services.

• Consider accessing the local University Clinic options.

Please note, our service will help with diagnosis for your child, but we have LIMITED capacity for therapy - we help you to find this support locally in your community.

• Consider talking with your local Kalwun service (07 5578 3434) about services they can provide you.
• They have access to therapists and doctors, including Paediatricians. They also offer hearing and vision testing.

• Please ensure you discuss your individual needs with your GP so a specific support plan can be made.
• For Crisis Support – refer to our list of Emergency Phone Numbers.
• Contact Family and Child Connect on 13 FAMILY (13 32 64) or by completing their online referral form. They offer free support to help with a range of family and parenting challenges.
• If you are having relationship challenges, contact Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 to find the most appropriate support service close to your home.
• If you require mental health support, we recommend accessing the Medicare Mental Health website that links Australians to free or low-cost online and phone mental health services. To find a location near you, or make a free call to the national phone service on 1800 595 212 (weekdays 8:30am-5:00pm, excl. public holidays).
• Consider if you could access Supporting Minds - Wesley Mission Queensland has been commissioned to deliver two service streams of 3-month, moderate intensity Psychology Support for:
  • Adults (16 years +) experiencing situational distress (homeless or at risk of homelessness, have domestic violence issues, have current legal procedures pending or are in significant financial hardship  
  • LGBTIQAP+: people (12-65 years) who identify with the LGBTIQAP+ community and/or are questioning sexuality or gender identity.
• Talk with New Life Care community support service.
• Consider accessing one of the Support Services or attending one of the Parenting programs we recommend.