Benevolent launches In Sync to help children with disabilities play, connect and grow

The Benevolent Society (Benevolent) has introduced a new early intervention program to support children with a disability and their families in New South Wales and South Australia. 

Based on proven support delivered through Benevolent Early Supports program in Queensland, the In Sync program recognises that a child’s greatest asset is their relationship with their parents/caregivers. 

Over three to six months, practitioners help parents/caregivers learn how to implement useful strategies and techniques that families can integrate into their daily routines. Sessions are play-based, leveraging the parent / caregiver and child relationship to target the specific needs and goals of the child and can help build a child’s vocabulary, manage behaviour or sensory challenges, recognise cues and support them with development milestones. 

“Through our work in the Early Supports Program, we could see that the therapies to assist children who had missed key milestones were more effective when supported by a parent’s relationship with their child,” Jeremy Halcrow, Benevolent Executive Director, Disability, Ageing, Carers & Business Development, said.  

“To test the efficacy of this approach more broadly we took a research and development approach to pioneering a new intervention. In Sync aims to strengthen parents’ responsiveness to their child’s unique cues, so they can interact with them in ways that support their development.” 

The program combines the clinical research work of Benevolent Consultant Occupational Therapist Dr Jacqui Barfoot and Psychologist Dr John Callanan, which identifies that children learn and grow best within their natural environments and are more receptive to learning through play-based activities with their parents/caregivers.  

“When we work with parents in ways that strengthen their interactions with their child through these play settings, children get many more opportunities to practice their skills across their routine at home with their parents’ help, compared to when a therapist interacts with a child in sessions,” Dr Barfoot explained.  

“Strengthening these parent child interactions helps create a strong platform for development that often makes it easier to try other things that will support a child’s development.” 

Families supported through The Benevolent Society’s In Sync program have reported significant improvements in goals for their children after three to six months of therapy. 

“We work to harness the power of the parent, caregiver, and child relationship to achieve functional gains,” Eden Diggle, Occupational Therapist and Benevolent Project Implementation Lead shared. 

“We have found this model not only helps children learn and reach their developmental goals, it also builds the capacity of the family to continue to support their child in real-life settings as they grow.”  

The program is tailored to children aged 0-7 years of age who have a NDIS Plan under Developmental Delay. If individuals don’t have this funding, they are welcome to contact Benevolent for support.  

Sessions are provided for three to six months however if further access to support is required, Benevolent will work with the parents/caregivers to ensure support is available. 

The In Sync program is available in South Australia (Melrose Park, Elizabeth Vale and Port Pirie) and NSW (Tamworth and the Illawarra region) with the potential to expand in other locations.  

For more information, fill out the referral form or contact The Benevolent Society on 1800 236 762 and visit benevolent.org.au