Local Services

If your child is aged between 0 and 6 years, and you have reason to believe he or she may have Autism, you can speak with a local service provider who can help you.  These providers are listed below:

  • Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service
    City of Greater Bendigo

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service is a free service, available to all families with children from birth to school-age.   The service is staffed by Maternal and Child Health Nurses (registered nurses with qualifications in midwifery, maternal, and child health).  It is managed by the City of Greater Bendigo's Children and Family Services.

To contact your local MCH service for an appointment click on the link below:
http://www.bendigo.com/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=1109&h=1

 

  • Specialist Information and Referral Team (SIRT)
    Department of Human Services

SIRT can offer a wide range of assistance to families:

  • Information on child development
  • General information on disabilities or developmental delays
  • Information on support services for families
  • Information on specialist services for children
  • Referral to Early Childhood intervention services
  • Help with including children in community programs such as pre-schools and childcare centres.

SIRT is happy to provide phone consultations to families.  You can call them on
Ph: 1300 36 35 14.

Please note:  You will need to be referred by SIRT before your child can gain access to any local early childhood intervention services.

  • Pre-School Field Worker 

St Luke’s Family Care Service is only available to children attending pre-school.

For referral, parents need to first discuss their concerns with their child’s pre-school teacher.

The Pre-School Field Worker is qualified in Early Childhood Education, experienced in working in an Early Childhood Centre, and skilled in working with children who have additional needs – and their families.

Please click on the link for more details: http://www.stlukes.org.au/services/children/preschool.asp

 

  • Autism Assessment Team Coordinator

Bendigo CAMHS – (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)  – has a triage service that takes calls and refers on to the Coordinator of the Autism Assessment Service when it is appropriate.

Autism Disorders include Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

This service is for both pre-school and school-age children, up to 18 years of age.

The Autism disorder assessment service is a regional service and is free of charge.

The Triage number is Ph: 1300 363 788.