Often when a child has a head injury it is a time of great stress for the family.  Immediately post-accident the family will spend most of their time in the hospital receiving all therapy and medical services until their child is in a medically stable condition.  Once the condition has been stabilised the child may be discharged into the care of their parents or guardians.  It is at this point the family can choose whether to remain as an outpatient and continue to receive hospital based therapy services, or may choose to receive community based therapy services which may occur in a range of settings.

This process of  choosing therapies, maintaining and co-ordinating medical and therapy appointments as well as co-ordinating all these services to enable their child to go to school or other community activities may be overwhelming for any family to cope with at such a time.

Kids Are Kids! Therapy and Education Centre can support families to make the transition from hospital back to home and can assist families to organise therapy services and school services for their child, in a supportive and caring environment.

Most children who have had a head injury have access to funds through the MVIT, Motor Vehicle Insurance Trust.  It is through this means that the costs of therapy, medical and equipment needs of the child are met.

The family will be assigned a lawyer who will act on behalf of the family until the case has been settled.  Kids Are Kids! places all requests for service or equipment  in writing and are then sent to the child’s lawyer. The family will also be assigned a case manager from the MVIT who will manage and distribute the funds as seen appropriate.

Once the lawyer has received the written requests and quotes they will forward this information to the case manager at MVIT who will review the requests and make decisions as they feel appropriate.

Services that can be accessed through Kids Are Kids!

Case Management

A member of the Kids Are Kids! team will be appointed to manage the case with the family.  At an initial meeting it can be decided the level of involvement that a family/guardian would like to have in the rehabilitation of the child.  This may vary from the parent guardian, being completely responsible for the organisation of services, to the case manager taking on all the co-ordination of the services for the client.  This contract is an agreement that is reviewed 6 monthly or at any time by the family/guardian.

The services that can be offered by the case manager at Kids Are Kids! can include:F

• Compilation of a comprehensive therapy program p/term
• Co-ordinating and chairing regular service reviews
• Organisation of additional meetings as needs of the client change
• Co-ordination of therapy services with the school
• Liaison with lawyers, MVIT and relevant others
• Meetings with therapists to review, plan and implement client goals
• Research and provision of information on available services in the community. This will involve locating information to enable the family to make a choice in the services they want for their child as their needs change. Areas in which it is anticipated this will occur are:
  • Respite and care
  • Holiday programs
  • Education
  • Community and recreational activities
  • Psychology and social work.

Therapy Services

While Kids Are Kids!  can source a range of therapy services in the community to meet the needs of the child, direct therapy services can also be accessed through Kids Are Kids!

• Occupational therapy may target: developing strength and precision in fine motor skills for eating, dressing, computer use, writing, attention, memory and concentration, seating, organisational skills, processing visual information and self care skills such as toileting, showering etc.

• Speech pathology may target: use of alternative communication methods while the child is regaining their speech, eating and swallowing, comprehension skills, articulation, forming sentences, organising thoughts, reading, spelling and  social skills.

• Physiotherapy may target: developing strength, co-ordination and tone in the trunk, upper and lower limbs, development of mobility whether through walking, with support or seating for wheelchair use, balance and co-ordination, facilitating access to local community sporting outlets ie gyms etc

Other Services:

• Consultancy & training of families, carers & other support staff such as education assistants in the ongoing management of clients.
• Specialised equipment prescription, provision, training & monitoring. This service plays a crucial role in optimising client’s physical access for home & community, mobility, transport, communication, social interaction & participation within their community.
• Advocacy support for clients & their families as they transition back into community services from hospital.

Benefits of a comprehensive service

Kids Are Kids! provides a comprehensive & coordinated approach to the provision of these services.  This ensures both optimal outcomes for clients and a cost effective provision of services.

Specific benefits of our services are detailed below.

• Case Coordination ensures the efficient & effective provision of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.
• It is a clear advantage for families to be able to access the different therapies through one agency that also provides Case Coordination. Individual therapy programmes are effectively coordinated & integrated for optimal outcomes.  The case manager is aware of the regular therapy appointments before booking and co-ordinating external appointments for the family.  This provides for a cohesive and complimentary provision of services.
• Kids Are Kids! operates from a collaborative transdisciplinary team based approach. With all members of the therapy team working in collaboration with one another and communicating regularly, multiple goals can be targeted simultaneously. This has many positive benefits for the client and their family.
• The Family Centred Model of Practice is an integral part of the operation of Kids Are Kids!  This is in line with current best practice.  This approach encourages parents/carers to be active participants in the child’s rehabilitation.  This approach also facilitates the establishment of positive partnerships with clients & their families based on trust, open & honest communication.  It offers a crucial support system to clients & families at time where they are facing significant challenges. Support & understanding is frequently needed for them to fully engage in the rehabilitation programme.
• The therapy staff have extensive experience & expertise in the area of disability & paediatrics. They have also worked in school & community based settings. This ensures the provision of efficient, effective & integrated services, which are to the highest possible standards.
• In addition therapy staff have experience with the provision of specialised equipment & environmental access. This is essential to ensure that appropriate prescriptions & recommendations are made to address clients’ needs & optimise cost effectiveness.
• Kids Are Kids! is community based and services may be provided across a number of settings such as home, school, community as well as the Kids Are Kids! centre. This flexibility enables the therapy programme to compliment & work with other community based activities in which the client is engaged.

To obtain further details of our paediatric rehabilitation program please contact on of our friendly team.