Child Development and Behaviour Service

The Child Development and Behaviour Service is a community-based, multidisciplinary health service involved in the assessment and management of children aged 0 to 10 years referred with problems of development, such as:

  • communication
  • movement
  • emotions
  • behaviour or
  • socialisation.

CDABS work with families to clarify the reasons for the child’s developmental problems and offer assistance through parent education sessions, screening clinics and multidisciplinary assessment.

Our services

CDABS offers three different programs:

  1. Early Intervention and Prevention Program (EI&P) sees children aged 0 to 4 years who demonstrate early developmental problems in one or more area.
  2. Multidisciplinary Assessment and Intervention Program (MAIP) sees children aged 4 to 10 years with complex developmental and learning problems requiring the involvement of three or more health professionals.
  3. Families Program (FP) focusses on the interaction between the child and their environment, and how this affects the child's development.

CDABS programs are available to children and their families who live within the Gold Coast Health Service District (from the NSW border to the Albert /Logan Rivers).

CDABS Parent Programs

1.      Contact the CDABS Intake Officer on 5570 8553) for the following:

TODDLER TALK

This is a two session education program for parents of children under two and half years. The first session is for parents only to inform about normal communication development and how to stimulate these skills with their child. The second session is for parents to practise these strategies with their child in a playgroup setting.

KIDS’ TALK

This is an education program for parents of children aged between two and half years and four years of age. The aim of this education session is to inform parents about normal communication development and indicators for possible difficulties. There is also a large focus on the power of the parent in facilitating communication development in their children. This program aims to be interactive and gives parents the opportunity to have their questions answered by the Speech Pathologists. 

TODDLER/PRESCHOOL BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

The Toddler/Preschool Behaviour Management Talk is for parents of children aged 18mths to 4 years who are concerned about their child's behaviour. The talk is two hours in duration, presented by a psychologist and provides parents with some basic strategies to address common behavioural problems in this age group.

 

2.      Contact Child Psychologists Julie on 5525 5647 or Clare on 5570 8506 for the following:

ANXIETY INFORMATION AND EDUCATION SESSION

This is a one off education session for parents of children aged 18 mths – 7 years who are concerned about their child’s anxious behaviour.  Areas of concern may include difficulties with separation, socialisation, general worries or specific fears.  The aim of this session is to educate parents about the development of anxiety and the factors that maintain anxiety.  It will also provide parents with some basic strategies to help reduce and manage their child’s anxious behaviour.  The talk is two hours long and is presented by a psychologist.  The anxiety education session is free of charge and parents are required to arrange their own child care during the session.

3.      Contact the CDABS Administration Officer on 55708553 for the following:

KIDS ON TRACK (KOT)

"Kids on Track" is a 4 hour parent education session that targets children 3 to 10 years of age whom are overweight. It helps parents address their children’s health problems via three key areas of nutrition, physical activity and family behaviour change.

The program is free and run by a multidisciplinary teams including a Paediatrician, Dietitian, Occupational therapist, Child Health Nurese, Social Worker, Physiotherapist and Psychologist.

4.  Contact the CDABS Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists on 55708553 for the following:

Maximising Your Child's Potential/ Practical Tools for Preparing for School (1-5 years) (we changed the name but think that it is to be hopefully advertised somewhere under both names, hope to find out very soon) 

The experiences in the early years of your child’s life are crucial in shaping your child’s future.  Staff from the Community Child Health team will share fun ideas with you, to use in preparing your child for school and life beyond. Parents and carers of children 1 – 5 years of age are welcome to attend, bookings required.  Please note this is a session for parents only, childcare is not provided. 

The referral process

Referrals for each program are accepted as follows:

Early Intervention and Prevention Program (EI&P) referrals are accepted from parents, carers, Child Health Nurses or Paediatricians who are concerned about the child’s development.

Multidisciplinary Assessment and Intervention Program (MAIP) referrals are only accepted from a Paediatrician, Paediatric Psychiatrist, Gold Coast Hospital Registrar or Medical Officer.

Families Program (FP) referrals are only accepted from health professionals within CDABS.

Our staff

CDABS is staffed by health professionals who specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of developmental issues in children including:

  • Paediatrician/Medical Officer
  • Psychologists
  • Speech Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Social Workers
  • Dieticians
  • Administration Officers.

Our research

CDABS has a strong commitment in conducting best practice evidence based clinical research. We believe that this optimises our knowledge and skills in clinical practice, teaching and training. CDABS has developed strong pathways with local universities, hospitals and Non government agencies.

Current projects include:

Career opportunities

Please contact the discipline specific senior to enquire about any vacancies or post graduate university placements (07 5570 8553).

Locations and contact information

Bundall Community Health Centre
Level 6, Zurich House
8-10 Karp Court
Bundall Qld 4217

Palm Beach Community Health Centre
9 Fifth Avenue
Palm Beach Qld 4221

Helensvale Community Health Centre
105 Lindfield Road
Helensvale Qld 4212

Contact
Reception: (07) 5570 8553
Fax: (07) 5570 8595
PO Box 5699
Gold Coast Mail Centre Qld 9726