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About Novita

 Novita Children’s Services was established in 1939 as the Crippled Children’s Association of SA, to care for children diagnosed with polio.

From these humble beginnings, Novita has grown to become one of South Australia’s premier children’s charities – and a recognised and celebrated world leader in the research, development and provision of quality services to children and families living with physical disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

Novita currently provides essential therapy, equipment and family support to more than 1300 children - and through broader work with families and communities, has a direct impact on more than 10,000 South Australians.

Novita’s primary services include Early Childhood Services, Child and Adolescent Services, Country Outreach Services and the Inclusion Support Program.

In addition, Novita provides a number of specialist services and programs including, the Equipment Service, the Rehabilitation Service, and the Acquired Brain Injury Program.

Primary and specialist services are delivered by teams that include staff from the professions of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, speech pathology and family support, provided at home, at kindy, at child care and at school by expert staff based in offices right across Adelaide.

We also provides essential equipment such as wheelchairs, walking frames and communication devices to help kids to move, speak, play and really ‘connect with their worlds’.

Novita’s services are provided in partnership with children, their families and their communities. No two children are the same, so Novita’s services are individualised, responsive and flexible, allowing each family to make choices about the services they receive.

Our services are provided free of charge and in most cases, the value of this support adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per family. While we are lucky to receive 55% of our annual funding from the Government, we rely heavily on the generosity of our supporters and the South Australian community to raise the additional money we need to continue our life-changing work.

Information about eligibility for registration with Novita.

Glossary

Acquired brain injury

Injury to the brain that occurs after birth, often as a result of medical events, such as cancer or trauma resulting from injuries, such as in a vehicle accident.

Communication device

An item of equipment (usually electronic) that helps the child to communicate things by selecting pictures/symbols or letters/words.

Inclusion

Being included in activities. Within the field of disability the inclusion movement aims to ensure that people with disabilities are not excluded from activities that the majority of the population are able to experience simply because of their disability.

Physical disability

A restriction or lack of ability that limits the person’s physical functioning.

Poliomyelitis (Polio)

A condition involving inflammation of the grey matter in the spinal cord, resulting in muscles becoming paralised.

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URI: http://www.novita.org.au/content.aspx?p=28

Last updated: 1 November 2009

Last reviewed: 1 November 2009

About this site

Novita provides therapy, equipment and home support services to children and young people with disability, as well as inclusion support to child care services in northern and western country regions of South Australia.

The Novita website has features that make it highly accessible for people with visual, movement and learning disability. Find out more.

Information about website design, content and awards.

Last updated: 9 February 2010

Copyright © 2006 Novita

Meet a Novita Star

Australian Executor Trustees supports Novita

Novita has gratefully received more than $260,000 from Australian Executor Trustees over the years, and in 2006, AET's loyal support was recognised with a Novita Star Award.

NovitaTech – technology solutions

NovitaTech, assisting people with disability to lead fuller and more satisfying lives, with the help of aids and equipment. NovitaTech is a division of Novita Children’s Services.

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