Acquired Brain Injury Program
A support service (
The Acquired Brain Injury Team) is provided by Novita Children’s Services for children who have an acquired brain injury and for their families. Novita family support services, Therapy Services and Psychology and Counselling Services provide assistance to children up to the age of 18 years who have an acquired brain injury. The child is not required to have an associated physical disability to be able to receive a service.
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The service:
- is a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of members from Family Service Co-ordination, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Psychology and Neuropsychology
- assists children and young people up to the age of 18 years who have a significant and ongoing disability resulting from and acquired brain injury
- provides a case management therapy and psychology service, and assists people to use regular services in their local community
- may purchase special services for the client and their family, if needed and if funds are available
- develops new services and programs, where needed.
The service is provided in accordance with the Disability Services Act 1993. Therefore children or young people wishing to receive a service must have an acquired brain injury that results in deterioration in their cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functioning that is, or is likely to be, permanent and results in the person having reduced ability to:
- get along with others
- communicate
- learn
- move about
- make their own decisions
- care for themselves, and who
- need continuing support services.
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Any person can refer a child with acquired brain injury to Novita Children's Services. Written medical information about the acquired brain injury is required.
Referrals should be made to the Central Intake Team. Read more about the referral process.
Referrals may also come from the South Australian Women's and Children's Hospital, being made directly from the rehabilitation team or neurology Department. Generally these referrals are made (with appropriate consent) following an assessment that shows that post-discharge case management and/or therapy and psychology support will help the person with brain injury to move back into the community.
Those that are found to be eligible for assistance will be registered with Novita's Acquired Brain Injury Program and will receive a letter confirming registration.
Once registered, a visit by the Team Leader and a Family Services Coordinator and/or another member of the ABI team will be arranged at the earliest opportunity to meet with the family and to begin to discuss the supports that may be needed.
The assistance could range from simply providing some useful information through to developing a long-term relationship with the family, school and other important parts of the child's life, depending on the needs that have arisen because of the acquired brain injury.
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The services may include (but is not limited to) any of the following:
- Advice, consultation and information
- Arranging or carrying out assessments, such as:
- psychology assessments
- neuropsychology assessments
- therapy assessments and ongoing support, as required.
- Therapy
- Targeted Services
- Counselling
- Community Activities
- Medical Clinics
- Equipment
- Aquatic Therapy
- Educations
- Supporting the move from school to post-school activities.
- Case management.
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Contact:
The Team Leader
Acquired Brain Injury Team
Ph: 8243 8275
Fax: 8243 8269
Send an online message
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Further information can be gained by: