Helping Your Child Build Resilience
At Change for Life, our team of disability psychologists supports children and young people with developmental, behavioural, and emotional challenges to better understand and manage big feelings.
Through evidence-based psychological and behavioural interventions, we help children build emotional regulation, social understanding, and resilience — essential skills for participating confidently at home, in school, and in the community.
We recognise that every child’s experience of disability is unique. That’s why we work closely with parents, carers, and support teams to create individualised NDIS-aligned strategies that promote wellbeing, independence, and positive everyday experiences.
Common Issues We Work with
At Change for Life, your child will be supported by an experienced Child and Adolescent Psychologist who specialises in working with children with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and other disabilities.
Our counselling, assessment, and diagnostic services are tailored to meet each child’s unique needs and NDIS goals.
Our interventions help children and young people to:
- Develop emotional regulation and manage big feelings such as anger, frustration, or anxiety
- Build social understanding and communication skills to improve peer and family relationships
- Cope with changes in routine or environment, including transitions between home, school, or therapy
- Manage sensory and behavioural challenges in a safe and structured way
- Recover from stressful or traumatic experiences with gentle, supportive care
- Strengthen attention, focus, and learning readiness to support school participation
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- Build confidence and self-esteem through achievable goals and positive reinforcement
- Support parents and carers with strategies to respond to emotional or behavioural challenges at home
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Therapy Options
At Change for Life, our psychologists use a range of disability-informed, child-centred approaches that are tailored to each child’s individual goals, abilities, and NDIS plan.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Children with Autism and Other Disabilities
Our clinicians use Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies adapted for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Sessions focus on helping each child recognise the link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in ways that are concrete, visual, and meaningful.
Through structured and supportive guidance, we help children identify unhelpful thinking patterns, understand emotional triggers, and learn alternative ways to respond that build confidence, flexibility, and emotional regulation.
CBT is also used to support parents and carers to reinforce these strategies at home, promoting consistency and progress across all settings.
Play Therapy for Children with Autism and Other Disabilities
Our skilled clinicians use Play Therapy to create a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where children with autism and other developmental disabilities can express themselves in ways that feel natural and meaningful.
Through play, children are supported to communicate their thoughts and emotions, develop social and emotional understanding, and practice new skills such as turn-taking, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
Play Therapy helps children learn and connect in a way that matches their developmental level, sensory needs, and communication style — making it a powerful tool for growth and confidence building.
Mindfulness
Our clinicians use mindfulness-based strategies tailored for children with autism and other developmental disabilitiesto support calmness, focus, and emotional regulation.
Through structured and sensory-aware mindfulness activities, children learn to notice their thoughts, emotions, and body sensations in a safe and supportive way. These practices help them slow down, manage stress, and build coping skills for everyday challenges.
Mindfulness can also reduce anxiety and repetitive thought patterns while improving attention, self-awareness, and confidence — supporting greater participation in home, school, and community life.
Social Skills Training
Our clinicians help children with autism and other developmental disabilities build the social communication skillsneeded to connect confidently with others.
Social skills training may be provided through individual therapy or group programs, depending on each child’s needs and NDIS goals. Sessions focus on understanding social cues, taking turns, initiating and maintaining conversations, and developing skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
We use structured, strengths-based approaches that help children practice real-life interactions in a safe and supportive environment — building confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Parent and Carer Support
We understand that supporting a child with autism or other developmental disabilities can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our team partners with parents and carers to build practical skills and confidence in supporting their child’s emotional, behavioural, and social development.
Your clinician will work closely with you throughout the therapeutic journey, ensuring that you feel supported and informed every step of the way. Together, we’ll create consistent strategies that can be used at home, school, and in the community — helping your child apply what they learn in therapy to real-life situations and achieve meaningful, lasting progress.
Please feel free to contact Change for Life for any further questions you may have about our child and adolescent services. We are dedicated to matching your child or teenager with the psychologist who best suits their individual needs.
Its easy to book with us
At Change for Life, booking an appointment is simple and stress-free. Whether you have a referral from your doctor or a third party, or you’re seeking support for yourself, our welcoming Client Relationships team is here to assist you.
They will provide all the necessary details and connect you with a skilled clinician who can help address your specific needs.
