The Role of Allied Health Assistants in Supporting Child Development
When it comes to helping children achieve their therapy goals, consistency and collaboration are key. While clinicians such as psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists provide essential assessment and treatment, an important part of the team often works behind the scenes – Allied Health Assistants (AHA’s).
AHA’s deliver carefully designed therapy programs developed by our qualified allied health professionals. These programs explicitly target each child’s individual therapy goals, ensuring focused and effective support tailored to their unique needs.
What is an Allied Health Assistant (AHA)?
An AHA is a trained professional who works as part of a collaborative team, delivering therapy interventions under the direct guidance of allied health professionals. AHA’s focus on implementing therapy programs in a hands-on, engaging way, ensuring that children have the opportunity to practise and develop their skills.
What Do AHA’s Do?
The role of an AHA is to deliver specific, targeted programs that address the goals identified by an allied health professional during assessment and treatment planning. These programs are designed to help children make measurable progress in areas such as:
- Speech and Communication: Supporting language comprehension, articulation, or communication techniques designed by a speech pathologist.
- Motor Skills: Practising gross or fine motor skills with guidance from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
- Emotional Regulation: Helping children implement strategies developed by a psychologist to manage emotions and improve social skills.
- Daily Living Skills: Building independence through targeted activities such as dressing, feeding, or handwriting.
Every session is aligned with the child’s therapy goals, ensuring purposeful and effective interventions that drive progress.
How Does the AHA Program Work at The Daisy Clinic?
At The Daisy Clinic, our Allied Health Assistants are an integral part of the therapy team. Here’s how the program works:
- Initial Assessment
An initial assessment is conducted by a clinician to identify the child’s therapy goals. - Individualised Therapy Plan
The clinician develops a tailored therapy plan based on the child’s needs and progress. - AHA Implementation
The AHA delivers the therapy plan either in-clinic or at school, focusing on explicit goals and activities designed to support the child’s development. - Collaboration and Feedback
The AHA provides regular updates to the clinician, ensuring progress is monitored and the therapy plan can be adjusted as needed. - Program Review
Every 6–10 weeks, the child’s therapy program is reviewed by the clinician. This review ensures that goals are being met and adjustments can be made to maintain progress and address any new or evolving needs.
Who Benefits from AHA Support?
AHA’s can be a valuable addition to the therapy journey for children who:
- Benefit from regular practice and reinforcement of specific skills.
- Thrive in structured, hands-on, and play-based environments.
- Are working toward developmental milestones or long-term therapy goals.
Get Started with the AHA Program
The Allied Health Assistant program at The Daisy Clinic is designed to help children achieve their goals in a fun, supportive, and engaging way. With sessions available from just $50 (excluding travel), it’s an excellent option for children requiring theraputic support.
📅 Interested in learning more? Register your child for our AHA program today:
👉 https://thedaisyclinic.com.au/new-client-registration/
