Our Services
Our Unique Approach to Learning and Behavioural Difficulties
When we meet an individual who is struggling with learning, behaviour or dysregulation, we will search for any immaturities in the underlying neuro-developmental foundations upon which wellbeing and learning is built.
We then provide effective, natural therapies, based on a holistic, evidence based developmental model to remove barriers and strengthen the foundations which need to be in place for learning to be easeful and overall wellbeing to flourish. We work with families to create an inclusive team of support around those faced with challenges.
Developmental Movement Assessment
Assesses all aspects of the individual's neuro developmental status to understand how it affects their ability to learn and cope with everyday life.
At the Developmental Therapy Centre, we believe our first task is to address the underlying immaturities and develop a good neurological foundation.
Developmental Movement Assessment includes:
1) Neuro-developmental Maturity:
• Primitive Reflexes
• Postural Reflexes
• Retained Midline Barriers
• Cerebellum function
2) Foundation Faculties of Learning:
• Spatial Orientation
• Body Geography
• Balance and vestibular function
• Simple Dominance and Laterality
• Fine and Gross Motor Skills
• Visual Perceptual Skills
• Sensory Processing
3) Academics:
Standardised and diagnostic testing for:
Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Spelling.
Following this assessment, you will have a 1-hour parent consultation with the therapist to discuss the results. If on the day the therapist has observed any other difficulties that could be contributing to learning or behavioural struggles they will make appropriate recommendations/referrals.
iLs Auditory Assessment
Although we hear with our ears, it is our brain that makes use of the information which we hear. If the brain is unable to correctly process what is said, the information may be misunderstood or lost.
Efficient processing of auditory information is critically important for children and adults to be successful in learning situation and at work, for their social development and relationships and their general emotional well-being.
How do I know if this assessment could be beneficial?
Normal hearing but have experienced some of the following?
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Often has difficulty listening and paying attention
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Frequently drift off into their own world and lose concentration
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Misunderstand spoken information or instructions
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Frequently ask “what?” when spoken to
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Need to have instructions repeated more frequently than others
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Have difficulty following more than one or two instructions at a time
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Easily distracted by background noise
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Have trouble hearing similarities and differences in sounds
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Have poor phonic skills in reading and / or writing
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Appear to be overly sensitive to certain sounds or frequencies
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Anxiety
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Emotional dysregulation
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Speech difficulties
If the answer is yes to one or more of these questions, a iLs Auditory Processing Assessment would be worthwhile.
The assessment will include:
A Tomatis Listening Test Audiogram looking at
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Air and Bone Conduction Thresholds
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Pitch Discrimination,
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Auditory – Spatial Awareness
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Listening Behaviour Assessment
And the following auditory skills:
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Auditory Figure Ground
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Processing of Competing Words
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Processing of Competing Sentences
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Auditory Sequencing
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Ear Advantage
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Auditory Analysis
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Auditory Discrimination
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Phonological Segmentation
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Phonological Blending
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Sequential Memory
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Auditory Closure
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Auditory Comprehension
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Auditory Reasoning
Following this assessment, you will have a 1-hour parent consultation with the therapist to discuss the results. If on the day the therapist has observed any other difficulties that could be contributing to learning or behavioural struggles, they will discuss this with you also.
Dyslexia Screening Assessment
How do I know if my child has dyslexia?
Our Dyslexia Assessment includes the Dyslexia Portfolio together with the Raven Progressive Matrices Test. This is a non-verbal 'culture fair' multiple choice IQ test, that measures your fluid intelligence (Gf) - your reasoning and problem solving ability. A dyslexia diagnosis is made by finding a discrepancy between a child’s General Intellectual Ability ( GIA) and their scores in the literacy , processing speed, writing and phonological skills and working memory assessment of the Dyslexia Portfolio. If a more comprehensive test is required, we can discuss a booking for a Woodcock and Johnson Assessment. Feel free to call and speak with someone about test options further.
School Readiness Assessment
Does my child have the essential developmental foundations in place to start school?
The School Readiness Assessment is a brief assessment which looks at the underlying capacities needed for ease of academic learning
The following capacities are observed: spatial orientation, body geography, balance, laterality, neurological maturity ,including indications of possible retained midline barriers, and primitive reflexes, gross motor coordination, fine motor coordination and visual perceptual skills.
Educational research in recent years has discovered that immaturities or developmental delays in any of these areas can contribute to learning difficulties.
Ability to take direction and follow instructions are also observed.
The school readiness assessment is suitable for children getting ready to transition to school, or who are in their first or second year of schooling and are struggling to take up learning with ease. For older children 7 years or above, we recommend a full Developmental Movement Assessment.
Specific Disability Assessment (SLD)
From a comprehensive assessment to learning based on individual needs
Diagnostic assessment is the first step to pinpointing why someone struggles to learn. Comprehensive testing using Woodcock-Johnson IV tests of Cognitive Abilities, Achievement and Oral Language establish a profile of a student’s specific strengths and/or weaknesses. This detailed overview can then be used to identify the characteristics and extent of any learning difficulty or disability.
Woodcock-Johnson test batteries, evaluate crucial skills involved in learning such as -language and auditory skills
-Visual skills and special awareness
-Speed of processing
-Short and long-term memory
-Reading, spelling and mathematics -handwriting
-Attention, concentration and academic fluency
Following an assessment, a comprehensive and independent report will provide detailed analysis of results and describe a student’s current learning profile. Recommendations for intervention such as specialist tutoring and/or accommodations will be outlined for school and family.
The assessment can provide supporting evidence required by NZQA on behalf of the student for special assessment conditions (SAC) during NCEA such as a reader-writer, use of a computer or extra time during exams.
-Assessments are carried out over approximately 4 hours. Please note, this depends on the number of tests administered. This time is usually split between 2 sessions one in the morning and one in the afternoon on the same day.
- Report writing takes between 3-4 weeks.
-It is suggested that if hearing and eyesight testing is not current that this be done before the assessment date.
Did you Know?
20% of New Zealand's population experience some form of learning or behavioural difficulty such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and Autism? These can effect children in many different ways but common struggles include: a poor level of academic achievement, issues interacting socially and making friends; or struggling emotionally and feeling highly anxious. By finding us, you have taken an important first step in your quest to discover why your child is struggling so much.
Consultations
Online Consultations are great for individuals that do not live locally
Our online consultations are designed for individuals who are struggling with learning, sensory issues, speech difficulties, or emotional dysregulation and are interested in either the Safe and Sound Protocol or Integrated Listening Therapy.
Prior to the consultation you will be sent a number of checklists to complete which cover Receptive Listening, Expressive Listening ( spoken language skills ), Sensory Processing, Fine and Gross Motor skills, Auditory /Language Skills, Social / Emotional adjustment and Cognitive / Self organization aspects of behavior, as well as a Developmental History form.
Past assessment reports for other practitioners and current diagnoses are also reviewed.
A consultation is held either via phone, or zoom to review concerns and clarify significant events or circumstances in the developmental history and then recommendations for therapy are made if appropriate.
Developmental Movement Therapy
Can you imagine trying to build a house without a good foundation? Trying to remediate an individual who simply does not have the foundation for their “house of learning” is very difficult.
At the Developmental Learning Centre, we believe our first task is to address the underlying immaturities and develop a good neurological foundation. Developmental Movement Therapy (Extra Lesson™) is one of the primary tools we use to accomplish this task.
This is an internationally recognised therapeutic programme which involves working one to one with one of our Developmental Movement Therapists (Extra Lesson™) This approach is combined with the latest in neuro-physiological research to provide an individualised movement therapy programme designed to remove the obstacles which are impeding learning and contribute to behavioural difficulties.
Central to this therapy is the idea that learning and behavioural difficulties are a result of developmental issues or mild delays in a child’s early years. Neural pathways ( or wiring), and the other faculties needed for learning to be easeful, such as spatial orientation, body geography, balance and visual perceptual skills are not fully developed. A child can enter school without the equipment needed to take up learning, so is therefore not ready. By repeating early childhood movement patterns, we are able to ‘rewire’ brain and rebuild the “house of learning” from the foundation up.
There are a specific series of movements which take a minimum of 30 weeks to complete, and are essential to the maturation of the neurological system. A wide range of other exercises are also given which make each session varied and interesting. It is important for the therapist to work one on one with the client, closely observing responses to each exercise. Any obstructions to free movement will be noted and referrals may be made to other professionals as needed.
Throughout the week there will be 15 minutes worth of exercises needed to be done daily. The home exercise programme is an essential key to successfully removing the underlying obstacles that affect learning capacity. Home practices are reviewed at each weekly session. The success of the programme depends to a large degree upon the commitment of the home exercise programme, as it is through repetition of the movements that the brain is able to mature, barriers are removed and the pathways needed for easeful learning are established.
Integrated Listening Therapy
By addressing brain function at a foundational level, we are better able to cope with life's challenges and are able to take up learning with ease.
In Clinic Therapy
Each listening therapy programme is prescribed specifically for your child and programmed daily into an iPod. Therapy involves listening to acoustically modified classical music to provide enhanced or filtered sounds across the whole range of frequencies. Therapy is directed more intensely at areas of specific weakness as seen in the Listening Test. A 15-20 minute multi-sensory movement programme is also included in each session. Movement stimulates the vestibular (balance system) which is closely connected to the auditory system and activates the cerebellum, where our motor planning, movement patterns and coordination are established. By moving, balancing and listening at the same time we can maximize the integration of the listening therapy on the sensory areas of the brain, enabling rapid maturation of the pathways needs for sensory processing, communication, higher cognitive functioning and learning.
Listening Tests and parent Conferences are repeated at crucial intervals 4 times during therapy as changes are rapid. Mother’s Voice Therapy may also be used, and Expressive Language and Speech Exercises with microphone work may also be prescribed in the final phase of therapy.
How long will it take?
We design a unique programme for each child to meet its individual needs. We recommend most children complete 30-35 therapy sessions over 11-12 weeks with breaks in between segments. Autistic children may need up to 60 sessions. However, time-lengths will vary and some children may need shorter or longer programmes. We will be able to offer an answer once your child has completed the ASSESS and IDENTIFY stages of our approach.
Distance Therapy
Our clinic is located in Tauranga. Where distance is a barrier for families who are unable to participate in our In Clinic programme, we offer homebased programmes based on your child's individual needs. This programme includes an iPod, amplifier, bone conduction headphones a Playbook with an integrated movement programme and an Integration Kit including balance board, beanbags and indoor balls. The iPod contains specific iLs programs carefully selected for your child by one of our clinicians. A minimum of 12 weeks daily listening is required.
How long will it take?
A minimum of 40- 80 sessions are usually required, followed by a reassessment.
How will I know if it's working?
Many parents see a change in their children almost immediately following therapy.
Four Auditory Assessments are carried out at crucial intervals and a Parent Conference held after each to update you on your child’s progress. Approximately 6 months after therapy completion, we carry out a Final Assessment.
The Safe & Sound Protocol
A massage to the nervous system
After years of research, Dr Stephen Porges identified a biological order of human response that is active in all human experience.
We come into the world wired to connect. With our first breath, we embark on a quest to feel safe in our bodies, in our environments, and in our relationships with others. The autonomic nervous system is our personal surveillance system, always on guard, asking the question “Is this safe?”
This surveillance system's goal is to protect us by sensing safety and risk, listening moment by moment to what is happening in and around our bodies and in the connections, we have to others. This listening happens far below awareness and far away from our conscious control.
Based on Dr. Stephen Porges research, The Safe and Sound Therapy was developed to treat trauma, stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Developmental Movement Assessment
3.5 hr Assessment
1hr Parent Conference and a comprehensive written report.
iLS Auditory Assessment
1 hr Assessment
1 hr Parent Conference and a comprehensive written report.
Dyslexia Screening Assessment
1.5 hr Assessment
45 minute Parent Consultation and a written report.
School Readiness Assessment
1.5 hr Assessment
1 hr Parent Conference and a written report.
THERAPY DETAILS
Developmental Movement Therapy
One-to-one session with a Developmental Movement therapist (EL) once a week for 1hr, together with 15 minutes of daily home exercise practice, which is an essential part of the programme.
Intergrated Listening Therapy
Listening sessions of 1 hr 20 mins in clinic or 1 hour via a home based programme.
A 15 min multi-sensory movement programme is included in each session.
Safe & Sound Protocol
1 hour consultation to see this therapy would be beneficial.
Therapy is 15 days of 1 hour sessions done in clinic or remotely.
CONSULTATION DETAILS
Integrated Listening Consult
Online Symptoms Test
Take a FREE symptoms test to find out if one of our assessments or therapy options would be beneficial.
Address
1412A Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga 3142
Phone
0800543399