Once you have connected with Montrose Hills via either of the formats set out in the CONTACT page on the website, we like to arrange a complimentary ‘meet and greet’ session at Conway. This informal gathering allows you to interact with the animals and the therapist, ask questions, and determine if Animal Assisted Learning (AAL) resonates with you. If AAL isn't suitable for your needs, we can explore other options together. You'll receive an appointment time via text message, accompanied by a link to complete a liability and waiver form. For the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, enclosed covered shoes are required for all attendees. If you decide you are ready to begin therapy at Montrose Hills, we will send you a link via SMS or email to complete an ‘Intake Form’. All forms are automated and securely managed through our practice management software. Allow up to 45 minutes for this session.

Once you're ready to begin therapy at Montrose Hills, the next step is scheduling an initial session. This session is crucial for gathering additional information, including current circumstances and any challenges faced by you or your family. It's also an opportunity to discuss the need for any assessments. For NDIS participants, therapy objectives will be tailored to align with your NDIS goals. Additionally, specific therapy goals beyond NDIS objectives can be addressed. For younger participants, before individual sessions commence, the therapist will meet separately with parents/carers to facilitate open communication. This ensures a safe environment for the child/teenager, avoiding significant discussions in their presence. The intake session allows the therapist to understand current issues, establish a foundation for therapy, and gather a thorough history. Further inquiries may be made during this time. For adult participants or older teenagers who wish to be involved, and if parents/carers request your participation in the initial session, you are welcome to attend as this begins to facilitate your personal journey for how to best support you in your therapy journey. Following this, your therapist will prepare a Service Agreement for your review. Allow up to 60 minutes for this session.

Conway Sessions Upon arrival, please wait to be collected by the therapist at the undercover area in front of the Therapy Space. If you arrive early, kindly understand that your therapist may be occupied and will promptly collect you at your scheduled appointment time. Depending on the planned activities, sessions may commence in various locations such as inside the Therapy Space or outside in areas like the round yard, tack room, paddock, or stables. Therapy sessions are designed to occur between the therapist and the participant, fostering an environment where participants can freely express themselves, ensuring their time is both safe and memorable. If this arrangement is distressing for the participant, we will support them at their own pace to ensure a comfortable transition or explore alternative arrangements. For parents/guardians/caregivers waiting, we provide shaded waiting areas or other designated spaces as directed by the therapist(s). Feel free to bring a book, relax, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Due to safety and insurance reasons, it is important that you remain in the waiting areas and do not wander around the property unsupervised. Please note, if you are caring for another child/sibling who is not participating in the therapy session, they must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian/caregiver and must remain in the waiting area. Additionally, Conway Beach is just a 5-minute drive away, offering scenic views and leisurely walks. For insurance purposes and the safety of the animals and humans, animals should only be handled in the presence of a therapist. Please refrain from entering the animals' enclosures or paddocks. For the safety and wellbeing of everyone who attends Montrose Hills Therapy | Developmental Education, enclosed covered shoes are required. Home | Community Sessions Your therapist will arrive a few minutes early at your nominated appointment time. Therapy sessions are designed to occur between the therapist and the participant, fostering an environment where participants can freely express themselves, ensuring their time is both safe and memorable. If this arrangement is distressing for the participant, we will support them at their own pace to ensure a comfortable transition. We recognise the importance of involving parents/caregivers in therapy sessions to facilitate ongoing skill development. Details regarding their involvement, including when they will be included in sessions, will be discussed at the beginning of the applicable session.

A Developmental Educator (DE) is a specialist in disability knowledge with a university qualification in disability. DEs are also an allied health professional.

Yes you can! Developmental Educators (DEs) are allied health professionals, are NDIS approved and are found in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits guide. We offer our services to self-managed and plan-managed participants. Some NDIS service examples include: | Capacity Building (CB) Improved Daily Living (therapy supports including assessments) | Capacity Building (CB) Social and Community Participation (daily living and life skills, coordinating life stages and transitions)

Yes you can! We welcome all participants who may benefit from our services.

Therapy is suitable for children, teenagers/youth and adults.

Depending on your support preferences, sessions can vary in duration, ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours. The duration depends on your goals and budget. To maintain consistency, it's advisable to schedule sessions (appointments) for the same day and time, unless agreed upon otherwise. Sessions are typically recommended on a weekly or fortnightly basis and are conducted during school terms only. However, holiday sessions may be available and will be discussed individually in advance. Additional planning or resource creation may be included and billed accordingly. A Service Agreement outlining the schedule of supports will be discussed during the initial session and will be sent to you for approval and signing via SMS or email.

Each participant is an individual, and the number of sessions needed varies depending on individual goals. Some participants may benefit from as few as ten (10) sessions, while others may engage in longer-term therapy.

Working with multi-disciplinary teams to create positive change through collaborative efforts is important. We are more than happy to work with your Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Teachers, or other individuals or organisations to offer comprehensive support. Charges for meetings, conferences, or reports will be invoiced accordingly.

Should you be unable to attend your appointment, to minimise or eliminate cancellation fees, please notify your therapist by providing as much notice as possible. No charges will be incurred if adequate cancellation notice occurs 48 hours or more before your scheduled appointment time. However, if a short notice cancellation, or a no-show occurs and the participant has given less than 48 hours notice before the scheduled appointment time, then the participant will incur charges of up to 90% of the scheduled fee. Montrose Hills Therapy | Developmental Education's pricing structure aligns with the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements, regardless how the participant is being funded, and unless otherwise negotiated. Prices may increase to align with any changes published in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. In the unlikely event of an emergency or illness, alternative arrangements may be mutually agreed upon. The cancellation policy is detailed within the Service Agreement.

Participants in our regular Montrose Hills Therapy | Developmental Education programs benefit from a discount on provider travel when utilising Home | Community supports. Charged at 50% of the NDIS published rate per hour. This calculation is time-based, considering the duration of travel from the provider's base to the participant and back again. All travel charges will be discussed with you prior to therapy. If you choose to attend our Conway Farm, then there will be no travel costs billed to you.