Adelaide Hills
Developmental Education

We support children and adolescents to build the essential learning, social, and life skills they need to thrive at school and in the community.

Supporting Children to Build Confidence, Skills and Independence

Our Developmental Education service supports children to build the essential learning, social, communication and life skills they need to participate more fully at home, at school and in the wider community.

A Developmental Educator is a qualified allied health professional who specialises in supporting people with disability to achieve their goals, learn new skills and increase their independence. Working from a human rights framework, Developmental Educators focus on each person’s unique abilities, needs and aspirations, while considering the whole child, including their family, culture, community and everyday environment.

At Adelaide Hills Child and Family Therapy, Olivia is our dedicated Developmental Educator and Play Therapist. Olivia specialises in working with children aged under 10 and their families, offering personalised support that builds confidence, independence and positive relationships in early childhood.

Education Challenges

Is Your Child Struggling to Navigate the Demands of School and Daily Life?

It is common for parents to feel overwhelmed when their child’s learning, social development or daily routines don’t follow a typical path. You may know your child needs support, but feel unsure about what type of help will actually make a difference.

We help families work through concerns such as:

"My child is falling behind in the classroom, and we don't know why."

Often, the issue isn’t a lack of ability, but a need for different learning skills support. We help identify how your child learns best and provide practical strategies to make the classroom a more accessible, successful place.

"Social situations and school transitions are causing significant anxiety."

Navigating the social landscape of school can be exhausting. Our Developmental Educators provide targeted social and life skills training, helping your child build genuine connections and manage transitions with confidence.

"We have therapy goals, but we don't know how to apply them to real life."

There is often a gap between clinic sessions and the “real world.” We act as the bridge, ensuring that therapeutic goals for emotional regulation and independence are integrated into your child’s daily routine at home and school.

“My child struggles with independence, routines, friendships or everyday expectations.”

Developmental Education can help bridge the gap between goals, therapy, school expectations and daily family life.

Benefits of Developmental Education

Helping Adelaide Hills Students Find Their Strengths

Tailored Learning Skills for Confident Learners

Our Developmental Education support focuses on the “how-to” of learning and participation. Olivia helps children build the practical skills that sit underneath learning, such as attention, organisation, planning, problem-solving and confidence.

Rather than focusing only on academic outcomes, Developmental Education looks at how your child learns, what helps them feel safe and engaged, and what strategies can support their independence. This can reduce stress around schoolwork, routines and everyday expectations for both the child and family.

Essential Social and Life Skills

Developmental Educators teach and practise important life, social and communication skills in a way that is meaningful for each child. This may include turn-taking, understanding social cues, managing transitions, building resilience, developing independence, participating in play, or navigating relationships with peers and adults.

For younger children, these skills are often developed through play-based, relationship-focused sessions that feel natural and engaging. Olivia’s approach is warm, practical and centred on helping children build confidence through experiences that make sense to them.

Neuro Type Classroom Strategies

We work collaboratively with families to identify strategies that respect the way your child learns, communicates and experiences the world. This neurodiversity-affirming approach means we are not trying to change who your child is. Instead, we aim to support your child’s development in a way that feels safe, respectful and practical.

This may include helping families and schools understand what adjustments, routines, communication supports or environmental changes may help your child participate more confidently.

Functional NDIS Support & Application

Developmental Educators are recognised by the NDIS to deliver a range of capacity-building supports. This may include daily living skills, social and community participation, relationship skills, positive behaviour support, early childhood therapy and practical guidance around navigating systems such as the NDIS.

At Adelaide Hills Child and Family Therapy, we help families turn NDIS goals into everyday actions. This means supporting your child to practise skills in meaningful ways and helping parents understand how those strategies can be carried over at home, in early learning environments, at school and in the community.

A skilled Developmental Educator, along with the right environment, can support your child to experience success as a learner and as a participant in everyday life. Over time, this can improve your child’s confidence, independence and sense of capability.

Developmental Education

Supporting School Age Kids in the Adelaide Hills

We understand that by the time you reach out to us, you may have spent a lot of time feeling worried, stuck or unsure about what your child needs next. Developmental Education provides a practical, collaborative way to understand your child’s strengths, identify areas where they need support, and build skills that can be used in real life.

When a child better understands how they learn, communicate and participate, the feeling of being “behind” can begin to shift. Children can start to experience the relief of having a social, emotional and learning “map” that makes sense to them.

For many children, the social landscape of early childhood, school and community life can feel difficult to navigate. Developmental Education can help your child build the confidence and skills needed to participate, connect with others, manage transitions and develop greater independence.

For parents, one of the most powerful shifts is realising that you do not need to change who your child is to help them succeed. You can move from a place of “fixing” to a place of supporting, advocating and creating environments where your child feels safe, respected and celebrated for who they are.

How it Works

Developmental Education in the Adelaide Hills

1. Consult & Fit Check

We start with a 15-minute chat to listen to your concerns and understand what is happening for your child and family. This helps us determine whether Developmental Education with Olivia is the right fit for your child’s needs.

2. Functional Assessment

We take time to understand your child’s strengths, challenges and goals across learning, social, communication and daily living areas. Wherever possible, we consider your child’s natural environments, including home, school, early learning and community settings.

3. Support Planning

Together, we build a practical support plan with clear goals and steps. This may include individual sessions, play-based therapy, parent guidance, school collaboration, NDIS goal support and strategies that can be used in everyday routines.

4. Empowered Learning

Through regular sessions, your child is supported to build skills, confidence and independence. Olivia provides encouragement, feedback and adjustments along the way to ensure strategies remain meaningful, practical and suited to your child and family.

Our structured process and warm, friendly clinic space help make therapy feel safe, engaging and supportive for young children.

The Next Step

Is Devlopmental Education the Answer?

We know that navigating development, school readiness, therapy goals and support systems can feel overwhelming. If you are worried about your child’s learning, social participation, independence, routines or emotional development, please reach out.

Adelaide Hills Child and Family Therapy offers a warm, non-judgmental space to discuss your child’s needs and work out the best support option, whether that is Developmental Education with Olivia or another service.

A simple phone call can provide the clarity you have been looking for.

Adelaide Hills Developmental Education FAQ's

Developmental Education Questions

What is a Developmental Educator, and how is it different from a tutor?

A Developmental Educator is a qualified allied health professional who supports people with disability to achieve their goals, build skills and participate more fully in everyday life. Developmental Educators take a whole-person approach, considering the child’s strengths, needs, family, culture, community and natural environments.

How is Developmental Education different from tutoring?

A tutor usually focuses on specific academic subjects. A Developmental Educator focuses on the broader skills that help a child learn, participate and build independence. This may include social skills, communication, emotional regulation, problem-solving, routines, daily living skills and confidence.

Who provides Developmental Education at Adelaide Hills Child and Family Therapy?

Our Developmental Education service is provided by Olivia, our dedicated Developmental Educator and Play Therapist. Olivia specialises in working with children aged under 10 and their families.

Can a Developmental Educator help with school transitions or school anxiety?

Yes. Developmental Educators can support children with transitions such as starting school, changing routines, moving between activities or adapting to new environments. Support may include resilience-building, practical strategies, parent guidance and collaboration with schools where appropriate.

What types of goals can a Developmental Educator support?

Developmental Education can support goals related to daily living skills, social and community participation, communication, relationship skills, emotional regulation, positive behaviour support, early childhood development and independence.

Clinic Administration

Is Developmental Education covered by the NDIS?

Yes. Developmental Education is a recognized professional support under the NDIS (typically under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living). We can work with self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Does your Developmental Educator work with other therapists?

Absolutely. Being a multidisciplinary team in the Adelaide Hills, our Developmental Educator (Olivia) works collaboratively with our Child Psychologist and Speech Pathologist to ensure a holistic, cohesive plan for your child.

Do you visit schools in the Adelaide Hills?

We prioritize positive relationships with local schools. Depending on the child’s needs, we can provide school observations, attend stakeholder meetings, and provide educators with specific strategies to support your child in the classroom.

Talk to a Developmental Education Therapist Today.

Our Developmental Education service, led by Olivia, provides neurodiversity-affirming care that respects your child’s individual needs. We are not here to overwhelm your child. We are here to support your family to zoom out, understand what is happening, and find the most effective, warm and practical path forward.

Through play-based, relationship-focused and evidence-informed support, Olivia helps children build confidence, independence, social connection and everyday life skills.

Our Therapy Team

Therapists Supporting Children in the Adelaide Hills

Our Developmental Education service, led by Olivia Hames, is dedicated to providing neurodiversity-affirming care that respects your child’s individual needs. We aren’t here to overwhelm your child; we are here to support your family to “zoom out” and find the most effective, warm, and friendly path toward healthy development. Trust our experienced Developmental Educators in Mount Barker to be your long-term partners in your child’s educational journey.