Allied Health Assistants (AHAs)

Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) provide therapy to children according to a structured plan developed by their treating therapist. The plan usually spans the term and includes a detailed list of therapeutic activities tailored to the needs and goals of the child and family. AHAs regularly consult with the child's treating therapist to ensure ongoing effectiveness of therapy by discussing their progress with the therapy plan and the need for review.

AHAs do not possess the same specialised skills as treating therapists and so are restricted in their abilities. For example, they are unable to complete formal assessments, write reports/letters or make changes to therapy plans. Therefore, it is essential that children enrolled in the AHA program continue to be regularly reviewed by their treating therapist to provide these additional services.

At BLPT all AHAs are studying to be an allied health therapist at university or have undergone certification via TAFE.

AHA services offered:

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Speech Pathology

  • Physiotherapy

  • Dietetics

Eligible:

Not all children are appropriate for the AHA program, with some children benefiting from ongoing intervention provided by their usual therapist instead. If you are interested in enrolling your child into the AHA program, please discuss your child's suitability with their treating therapist/s first.

There are many benefits to engaging in the Allied Health Assistant Program. These include:

  • Increased practice time of activities facilitating mastery of skills and faster progression towards goals

  • Cost-effective

  • Therapy is performed in the child's natural setting (e.g. home, school)

  • AHAs have a broad range of capabilities, technical skills and experience

  • Therapy is not restricted to 1 discipline with AHAs able to provide support in up to 2 allied health disciplines per session

Service delivery:

AHAs deliver services face to face only. Sessions can take place in the home, community, school and preschool settings within Camden and surrounding areas.