Inside - Novita Children's Services

Term 2, June 2011When just growing up needs help tooGrowing up with a brother orsister who has a disability canbe rewarding, but it can alsobe a cause of family stress.Novita recognises this and is runningworkshops to help siblings of Novitaclients and their parents to betterunderstand how a child relates to anotherin the family living with a disability.Novita psychologist Jenny Robb sayschildren who attend enjoy themselves.“Growing up with a child with disabilitycan enrich siblings’ lives and give theman opportunity to develop a number ofqualities such as compassion, maturityand an understanding of difference,”Jenny says.“However, just as with parents, therecan be a number of stresses. Siblinggroups give children an opportunity tohave fun and share with other siblings.”Novita Children’s Services applied fora Community Benefit SA funding grantthrough the South Australian Government’sDepartment for Families and Communitiesto establish siblings workshops in 2011and will run annual siblings workshopsin both northern and southernmetropolitan areas through to 2014.During the April school holidaysworkshops were held at Regency ParkCentre and Hamilton Secondary College.“Siblings spent the day getting toknow one another through activitiesand sharing their experiences. Novitaclients had the opportunity to go toTeenzone, an afterschool care programfor teenagers aged 12-18 years livingwith a diabiliy. The day ended with ashared family barbecue,” Jenny said.“The workshops were well attendedand the feedback from the siblings waspositive with most saying they wouldlove to come again.”Here is what some of the childrensaid about the day:“I got to know other siblings andlearn about what they were goingthrough” - Georgia A“It was awesome” - Michael“It was fun and I met lotsof people” - HarryWhile the children were entertainedparents attended a workshop with KateStrohm, Director of Siblings Australia.Kate says the parent workshopshelped parents consider what they cando to support their children.“Many parents are already doing agreat job of ensuring the needs ofsiblings are met. However, it was usefulfor them to consider how they might dothis more effectively.....More on page 2Inside• More money forchildren in need• Adele’s cooking up a treat• Save to give• Mobility andequipment care

2When play is3all that mattersWhen just growing up needs help continued...“We talked about a number of thingsduring the course of the workshop butkey issues included:• Providing siblings with information attheir level about the disability andwhat it means for the child with thedisability but also for other membersof the family. If children don’tunderstand they are likely to makeup their own interpretations for whatis happening.• Listening to what children say and2011 National Paralympic 7-a-side Football ChampionshipsBy Darcy ThompsonThis year was the first time theNational Paralympic 7-a-sideFootball Championships wereheld in SA. With our new soccer coachin charge and many months of trainingbehind us, we were hoping for our SAteam to do better than its ‘demolition’by the eastern states last year.Led by SA captain, Tom Goodman,we all arrived at West Beach where westayed for three days and nights withthe interstate teams. It’s a fantasticopportunity to catch up with old andnew opponents both on and off thesoccer ground.As it turned out, we were much morecompetitive on the field than previousyears, helped along by new recruitswho have joined us over the past fewmonths. We played the first gameagainst Victoria and although we lost3-1 we were unlucky and the resulttrying to ‘walk in their shoes’.• Giving siblings permission to talkabout the difficult feelings theymight experience.• Helping siblings learn ways tomanage their feelings.• Sharing as a family ways to copewith difficult situations such asstaring or teasing.• Providing children and parentswith relevant books about siblingexperiences (the Novita library hascould easily have turned into a 2-2draw. I played most of the game butnear the end I was knocked to theground full pelt and injured my arm,which put me out for the next two games.The matches against Queenslandand NSW were lost but not becauseof a lack of trying. All of our teamput in huge efforts against bigger,older, more experienced players.Games that we lost at previouschampionship by 10 goals werenow lost by only a few goals.We were looking forward to our nextgame against Victoria which turned outto be a really exciting contest. Wescored an early goal and later they gota dodgy penalty and kicked a goal toensure a draw. Then we played NSWagain and lost.The last day arrived. We were in theplay-off for a bronze medal and oncemore we had to play the Vics. The firsthalf was very tight and so was thesome and the Siblings Australiawebsite also includes lists ofrelevant age-appropriate books).• Ensuring that siblings takepart in community activities”.Novita plans to hold these workshopsagain in the second week of the Aprilschool holidays in 2012.To register your interest in theseworkshops or for further informationtelephone Melanie Dickson,Parafield Gardens Office, 81821000.second half until the Victorian captainscored a fluke goal, then he gotanother break and slammed though agoal. So, we lost 2-nil, but last year inthe bronze we were eight goals downwhen I stopped counting. So we aregetting much, much better.NSW won the championship afterthe match went to a penalty shoot-out.NSW was rapt and Queenslandwas devastated.It was a good week, especially beingaway from school. Although we have agreat rivalry, particularly with Victoria,we enjoyed catching up with all theteams. We will train and work hard fornext year’s event.Special thanks go to our coachJono, from Football Federation SA,and to Cathy from the ParalympicCommittee. Thanks as well to our teamphysio, Julie, for forcing us to get into afreezing pool after each game and forstrapping my injured arm.Kicking a ball, playing on aswing or just running arounda playground are things mostchildren take for granted, but thereare those for whom it is not so easy.Children with disabilities enjoy playas much as any child. Novita’sConnectABILITY program ensuresthat they can.ConnectABILITY provides aspecialised, supportive and practical‘link-up’ service between children withdisabilities and community sportinggroups. It helps break down barriersand open doors to a range of newrecreation and sporting possibilities.The ConnectABILITY page onNovita’s website contains informationon various opportunities, includinglinks to useful relevant recreationwebsites. This information is updatedon a weekly basis.It includes activities such as musicprograms, surfing, golf, tennis, cricket,soccer, netball and more. Go towww.novita.org.au. If you would like tovolunteer or you would like furtherinformation, contact Joy Marshall,ConnectABILITY Recreation Officer, on8172 9200 or joy.marshall@novita.org.auTennis ClinicThe Australian Paralympic Committeerecently combined with Tennis SA tohold a tennis program at TanundaTennis Club for participants with aphysical disability.Three Novita clients took part in thesix-week program and had a great timewhile learning new tennis skills. Theywere Brodie Healy, Jack Braunack andJoshua Grace.Are you looking for a unique andeasy way to support NovitaChildren’s Services, and love agood bargain?Novita has recently partnered withSoul Deal, South Australia’s new,socially responsible online group buyingchoice for businesses and consumers.Offering great daily discounted dealson South Australian services, productsand experiences such as restaurantmeals, spa and salon treatments,events and outdoor activities, Soul Dealsplits its per deal income significantlywith its charity partners, providingcharities a cost-free, no risk method ofincome generation.When you sign up to Soul Deal,select Novita Children’s Services asyour charity of choice, purchase agreat deal, and Novita will benefit also.How does it work?When you visit www.souldeal.com.auand register for free, select NovitaChildren’s Services as your charity ofchoice and receive daily deals straight toyour inbox. If you like the deal, you canchoose to buy it by safely and securelyuploading your credit card details.When you buy a Soul Deal, you notonly save money and get to enjoy theexperience, product or service, apercentage of your spend is given toNovita. The amount of money that iscontributed to the charity from eachSoul Deal is clearly displayed on the‘Today’s Deals’ page on the websiteand on your voucher.Sign up today, select Novita Children’sServices as your charity of choice. Themore you save on Soul Deals, the moreyou are supporting Novita.www.souldeal.com.au

4Understanding how children withdisabilities connect with theirworlds has been a focus ofresearch by Novita’s Manager of Researchand Innovation, Dr Pammi Raghavendra.We need to understand how childrencan better participate at home, schooland in the community.We want them to be able to takepart in leisure and recreationalactivities, especially using newtechnologies such as the internet.Pammi’s work has contributed tothat understanding in her 12 years withNovita, but the time has come for herto take on new challenges with heracceptance of a position as a SeniorLecturer with the Department ofDisability Studies at Flinders University.Her passion for augmentative andalternative communications (AAC) ledto a commitment to research thatsupports the participation and qualityof life of children with disabilities.Pammi’s work is highly respected andhas contributed to Novita’s reputationwithin Australia and throughout the world.Novita will continue to be involved inher research. We could also benefitfrom the stronger links with FlindersNovita ResearchResearchinga child’scommunicationwith their worldUniversity that might form with Pammion site.Asked about the highlights of hertime at Novita, Pammi spoke about herinvolvement in projects that had, or willhave, important outcomes for Novitaclients and families including:• The “Hopes and Dreams” project inwhich adults with cerebral palsywere asked about their pastexperiences as Novita clients. Theirrecommendations influenced theNovita strategic plan;• A recent completed project whichinvestigated how children withphysical disabilities, with and withoutcomplex communication needs,participated at school and in socialand recreational activities. Resultsshowed the critical importance ofgood communication abilities forall interactions;• Pammi’s current project ‘ConnectiveSolutions’ (see more in this issue ofNexus) is a world first and willexplore how the internet can helpchildren with disabilities to increasetheir friendships and social groups.“What motivated me to work at Novitawas its unique support of appliedresearch that reflects the issues andconcerns of clients, families andtherapy staff,” Pammi told Nexus.Before coming to Novita, Pammi hada long and varied career as a speechpathologist and researcher in India,Singapore, USA and Sweden.Time tocall yourmumNext time you go to call yourMum, think about those whocan’t, but wish they could.For some people, living with adisability just picking up the phone tocall home is impossible.That’s all about to change. Novitastaff in the Research and InnovationDivision have launched a website forpeople with complex communicationneeds and their supporters that willguide them to sources of help inusing the telephone.Known as the Newell Network(www.newell.org.au) this innovativewebsite is a one-stop shop that sharesinformation with people who havelimited or no speech and their supportersby helping them find solutions tocommunicating on the phone.It’s especially useful for those whofind it hard to speak or who find it hardto understand what others are sayingand those who talk with gestures,signs, pictures, words or spelling.They may even be using a speechgenerating device or computer.The website is easy to access andyou can contribute ideas, solutionsand comments.People can interact with others whohave communication needs and their5supporters. They can share informationabout tools and services that makeusing the phone easier and they canask questions or seek information onwhat is available to help them use thephone successfully.Rob Garrett and Toan Nguyen, ofNovita’s Research and InnovationOne stopshop for sharinginformationDivision have been funded by theAustralian Communication ConsumerAction Network (ACCAN) with supportfrom the Australian CommunicationExchange (ACE), Telstra and Novita,to develop the website.If you would like more information,or if you have complex communicationneeds or you are a supporter of such aperson and would like to share yourexperiences, contact Rob Garrett byemailing rob.garrett@novita.org.au orgo to www.newell.org.auMore money for children in needEligible children will be ableto access up $12,000 ingovernment funding andrebates from July.Extra money is to becomeavailable for eligible childrendiagnosed with Cerebral Palsy,a moderate or greater sight orhearing impairment, DownSyndrome, or Fragile X Syndrome.From 1 July 2011, they will haveaccess to funding and Medicarerebates under the AustralianGovernment’s Better Start forChildren with Disability initiative.Novita Children’s Serviceswelcomes this initiative, which willprovide needed support to manyof its clients. Highlights include:• Funding for additional earlyintervention services andtreatments for eligible childrenunder the age of six• Medicare items for thedevelopment of a treatment andmanagement plan for eligiblechildren under the age of 13• Medicare items for up to four alliedhealth diagnostic services and for20 relevant allied health services(in total) for eligible children up tothe age of 15 (provided thetreatment and management planis in place before the age of 13).Families living in outer regional orremote areas may also be eligible fora $2000 one-off support payment.The payment recognises thedifficulties that families living inremote and outer regional areas facein accessing services and will helpwith expenses such as travel andhome visits.From 1 July 2011, parents andcarers will be able to contact theirlocal Carers Association to registertheir child for the initiative via freecall1800 242 636. Further information onthe program will be available at www.carersaustralia.com.auChildren aged under six on 1 July2011 and who have been diagnosedwith Cerebral Palsy, moderate orgreater sight or hearing impairment,Down Syndrome, or Fragile XSyndrome can be registered toaccess early intervention funding ofup to $12,000 (to a maximum of$6000 per financial year). The fundingcan be used to pay for services suchas: occupational therapy,physiotherapy, speech pathology,psychology and audiology.As part of the Better Start initiative, apanel of allied health service providerswill be established. Parents and carersof eligible children will be able to seekthe early intervention services fromservice providers on the panel. Novitahas applied to be on this panel andhopes to offer additional servicesthrough Better Start.Families will have until their childturns seven to use the earlyintervention funding. This targetedearly intervention in the pre-schoolyears is intended to complementexisting Commonwealth and Stateand Territory services and help thesechildren to have the best possiblepreparation for transition to school.If you would like to speak to aNovita representative about thisexciting initiative please contactNovita’s Central Intake Team on1800 337 443.Further information is available viahttp://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about/news/2011/Pages/better_start_310012011.aspx

67Secret bond betweenchildren and animalsChildren and animals are oftendrawn to one another. Theyhave a bond all their own asthough they share secrets kept fromgrown-ups.No surprise then that nursing a furryrabbit and patting tame kangaroosbrought touching smiles to childrencamping on Eyre Peninsula in May.They were there as part of fourcamps organised by the CommunityAccommodation and Respite Agency (Cara).Other children were treated tofeeding tuna out at sea with help fromAdventure Charters before being takenon a picnic at Glen Forest Tourist Parkwhich is where they were able to patsome of the Park’s tame animals. Notsurprising then that the animalscompeted with one another for themost hugs and pats from theirdelighted young handlers.Local Pt Lincoln businesses and thecommunity swung their weight behindthe project to give 14 children amemorable time at Northshields LionsHostel. They were supported by studentsfrom Pt Lincoln’s St Joseph School.Three further camps gave childrenan opportunity to visit Royal AdelaideZoo and Cleland Wildlife Park. Othersenjoyed cinema entertainment, boattrips, nature walks and karaoke.Westminster School senior studentswere on hand to help out during thesecamps in April.Cara camps provide a challengingand exciting holiday option forchildren with multiple and severedisabilities and children with severephysical disabilities.Cara provides trained carers at eachcamp who support the children in theirhealth care needs. Community groupvolunteers back up Cara carers witheveryday care needs of the youngcampers. Consideration is given tocompatibility issues, taking intoaccount available resources.Upcoming Cara campsCamp 1 – Gladstone GaolMon 11 – Thirs 14 JulyCamp 2 – Seahaven, Outer HarbourMon 18 – Thurs 21 JulyCamp 3 – Port Hughes, Yorke PeninsulaTues 4 – Fri 7 OctoberCamp 4 – Adare, Victor HarborTues 10 – Fri 13 OctoberCamp 5 – Warradale, MetroSun 18 – Thurs 22 DecemberFor enquiries or enrolments,please contact Jessie Flavel, Campsfor Kids Coordinator, on 8243 5041or 0408 036 313, or jflavel@cara.orgJoin the fifth annual West End MightyRiver Run in November for a five-daytrip along the Murray, taking in many ofthis magnificent river’s spectacular sights.Novita Ambassadors John Riddell and Jason‘Snowy’ Carter invite you to join them in castingoff for a cause: Novita Children’s Services.Days and evenings are filled with activitiesand entertainment that everyone can enjoy.Your ticket to the West End Mighty River Runcomes with fundraising for Novita beforesetting off on the Run.The fun starts on 21 November at Waikerie,down to Blanchetown, Mannum, MurrayBridge and Goolwa to the river mouth on thelast day 25 November.It’s the ultimate in feel-good fun! More than$405,000 has been raised by the event forNovita Children’s Services since 2007.For more information, please contactNovita Marketing on 8243 8229 or visitnovita.org.au/riverrun

8Self-management of mobility and equipmentwith support from your Child and Adolescent Service (CAS) PhysiotherapistAFTER THE BAND STOPS…9The year is already moving alongat a rollicking pace and we areall flat out juggling schooldrop-offs /pick-ups, work, recreationalactivities and managing those dreadedwinter sniffles. There barely seemsenough time to get washing, cookingand cleaning under control, let alonekeeping tabs on your child’s everchangingequipment and mobility needs.Novita’s Child and AdolescentService (CAS) supports school-agechildren living with a physical disability,and their families, to provide servicesthat meet their individual needs. Asyour child moves into the Child andAdolescent Service, there will be anincreased focus on self-managementof concerns.Self-management is what you as theparent/carer can do, or where possibleyour child can increasingly do, tomanage the impacts of disability. It isnot self-treatment and requires goodself-management support to beeffective. Self-management support iswhat CAS staff provide.When your child turns 18 andtransitions to adult services, having theknowledge and skills to self-managewill be essential, so please use yourtime at Novita to learn how and whento ask for support when required.CAS services are “request based”– you need to ask for the services youneed. There are waiting lists for mostservices, so planning requests plays animportant part in obtaining the supportyou seek.As a parent/carer of a child with adisability we see you as experts onyour child’s individual needs. As youand your child move through your timewith CAS you will continue to developskills to assist you to recognise yourchild’s changing physical andequipment needs as they arise (orpredict them before they become issues).To help you along the journey,here are some tips on what to monitor,and when to request input from yourCAS Physiotherapist.EQUIPMENTFor equipment to offer support, comfortand assistance, it needs to fit well andbe safe. Growth and physical changes(muscle tightness, muscle weakness,spinal posture) can have a huge impacton the effectiveness of equipment.When you notice your child has grown(again!) and you need to buy moreclothes/shoes, it is the ideal time to havea look at them using their equipment.Seating: Whether looking at awheelchair, a pusher, a school chair ora kitchen chair, check the following:• Feet are flat – pointing forwards andwell supported on the footplates.• Knees are in a straight line with thehips – not rubbing together, floppedout to the side or at an uneven height.• Trunk and pelvis is in the middle– not leaning or shifted to one side.• Head is in the middle with chintucked slightly.• Elbows are at a right angle, or justbelow, when resting on armrests or tray.• Chest should be lifted, notslumped forward.Walkers: Walkers are prescribed toachieve a variety of goals. Whenlooking at your child in their walker,keep these goals in mind, as some ofthe following may/may not be relevantfor every child:• Trunk posture – trunk must beupright or leaning forwards slightly.• Arms, if used for weight-bearing,should be outstretched and straight(or only slightly bent) at the elbows.• Legs, when taking weight, should bestraight (or only slightly bent)at the knees.• Feet, when taking weight, should beflat and toes should not drag alongthe ground.If you have any concerns about the fit,support or effectiveness of your child’sequipment, please contact CAS torequest a physio review. Throughassessment, the physiotherapist will beable to determine the best way forwardto maximise the benefit your childgains from their equipment.A physiotherapist can also reviewany changes you notice or concernsyou have about the following:Muscle tightness/joint rangeof movementChanges can present as:• complaints of pain• increasing fatigue when walking• change in walking pattern• increase in falls• refusal/reluctance to wear AFO’s(Ankle Foot Orthoses)• red marks on skin on removal of AFO’sYour CAS Physiotherapist will expertlyassess the problem and assist withplanning of appropriate interventions.These can include a range ofoptions including:• development of a home stretchingprogram• serial casting, night splints• gait analysis• referral to an Orthotist (for newAFO’s, repairs, assessment)• referral to a Rehabilitation Clinic(further review, BoNT-A/Botox,surgical options).Manual HandlingYour back care as a parent/caregiver isvital – please request a review of yourpractices if you have any concerns orthere have been significant changes inyour child’s weight or health.If your child needs to be lifted orhoist assisted, at school/OHSC, tomove/transfer/toilet, an up-to-dateTransfer and Positioning Care Plan isrequired. These can be written/reviewed by your CAS physiotherapistand a review should be requested atleast a month before it is due to expire.Gross motor skills and recreationYour physiotherapist can advise of thebest ways to develop your child’sphysical skills, fitness, strength andcontrol in gross motor activities. This caninclude advice for schools on inclusion ofchildren with disabilities into activitieswith their peers (eg PE classes).Remember also that you canself-refer to ConnectABILITY bycontacting our Recreation Officer whowill assist you with linking intocommunity recreation activiities thatcan enhance your child’s physicalabilities and well-being (see articleelsewhere in this issue).For all equipment repairs, contactDomiciliary Equipment Service (DES)on 1300 130 302.P: CAS North – 8182 1000CAS South – 8172 9200E: child&adolescent@novita.org.auLong after the flash bulbs havestopped popping, the bandshave packed up and theendless social whirl has passed,happy memories of a time longgone reunite former Mrs SouthAustralia Quest entrants and theirfriends each year as they gather toraise funds for the many childrenserved by Novita.These quest entrants andsupporters have been working hardfor Novita, in some cases for up to40 years. They are joined by manyothers motivated to make a littlechild’s life better.Each year this lively communityraises in excess of $100,000through the staging of golf days,high teas, goods and servicesauctions, and girls’ nights out.Their commitment to one of life’smost noble causes: the welfare ofchildren living with disabilities,impels them to continue theirinvaluable work. Their only rewardis the happy smiles of the childrenthey reach out to help each yearand the joy of families whose livescan be transformed by Novita’scommitment to their little ones.Recognising the loyalty of itsauxiliary volunteers Novita stagedits annual luncheon for them inearly May. Coinciding withVolunteers Week, 65 AuxiliaryVolunteers from around SA enjoyedone another’s company andentertainment provided by Lindi-Jane and Fluffie-Feline fromSnappy Productions.It was Novita’s way of saying:Thank you very much for a jobsuperbly and faithfully done!

Diary datesYou are invited to attend any of the followingevents. Please visit novita.org.au/events orcontact the Novita Events Team on 8243 8229for more information.Larry CrowneSunday 3 July, Chelsea CinemaTransition to Adult ServicesInformation SessionsTuesday 26 July, Location TBCTuesday 2 August, St Marys OfficeShadowlandsWed 3 August, 444 Brighton Rd, BrightonNew Era Auxiliary’s 21st BirthdayCelebration LuncheonSunday 7 August, Mount Osmond Golf ClubLollipop MarketsSunday 7 August, Shores Complex WestBeach, Novita is sincerely grateful to be thebeneficiary of donations made at this eventCity-Bay Fun RunSunday 18 SeptemberWalk With MeSunday 11 SeptemberWest End Mighty River RunMonday 21 - Friday 25 NovemberEVERY WEEK – Novita Bingo!Visit novita.org.au/bingo for session details.For sale12/2005 XC Holden Combo4 cylinder registered until 23 August 2011.5-speed manual, air-conditioned, tintedwindows, keyless central locking.Seats wheelchair passenger + driver + 3passengers. Wheelchair access, modified byLes Brasier Pty Ltd. Spring-loaded ramp,retractable securing belts, silver metalliccolour, 38,000 km (approx). Regularmechanical maintenance. Current femaleowner purchased the vehicle brand NEW fiveyears ago. Asking price: $29,990 (private sale)Location: Para HillsContact: NATHAN (08) 8281 8289 or0439 264 385Please note: It is your responsibility to check thesuitability for your child of any equipment listed.Novita’s Toy andResource Centreopening hoursTuesdays 8.30am to 4.30pmWednesdays 8.30am to 12.30pmThursdays 8.30am to 4.30pm2011-2012Entertainment BooksFor just $65, the Entertainment Bookis your guide to the best restaurants,accommodation, attractions andleisure activities, all with 25% to 50%off or 2-for-1 offers. $13 from eachbook sold through Novita goes toour fundraising.Kids Around Townfamily voucher booksThis family-friendly voucher bookbrings great ideas and savings tofamilies for just $20. The current editionis valid from July 2010 until 31December 2011. Purchase yoursthrough Novita Marketing and Novitawill receive $6.50.Please contact Novita Marketingon 8243 8229 to order your copiesof the Kids Around Town andEntertainment Books.Network with NovitaStay in touch with Novitathrough Facebook andreceive daily updates. ‘Like’our page at www.facebook.com/novitachildrensservicesNovita is also on Twitter– follow us atwww.twitter.com/novitastarYou can tune in to Novita’sYouTube channel as well athttp://www.youtube.com/novitacsNovita Children’s Services171 Days Road Regency Park SA 5010PO Box 2438 Regency Park SA 5942T 8243 8243 F 8243 8238enquiries@novita.org.auwww.novita.org.auCentral Intake Team171 Days Road Regency Park SA 5010T 1800 337 443 F 8243 8377central.intake@novita.org.auwww.novita.org.au/registrationRehabilitation Service171 Days Road Regency Park SA 5010T 8243 8270 F 8243 8377rehabilitation@novita.org.auwww.novita.org.au/rehabilitationChild and Adolescent ServiceNorthern Office422 Salisbury Highway,Parafield Gardens SA 5170T 8182 1000 F 8182 1010Southern Office15-31 Ayliffes Road, St Marys SA 5042T 8172 9200 F 8172 9201child&adolescent@novita.org.auwww.novita.org.au/childandadolescentEarly Childhood ServiceNorthern Office171 Days Road Regency Park SA 5010T 8243 8311Southern Office15-31 Ayliffes Road, St Marys SA 5042T 8172 9200 F 8172 9201Central Office5 Darley Road Paradise SA 5075T 8207 8940 F 8207 8941earlychildhood@novita.org.auwww.novita.org.au/earlychildhoodRegional Services15-31 Ayliffes Road, St Marys SA 5042T 8172 9200 F 8172 9201regionalservices@novita.org.auwww.novita.org.au/regionalservicesEditor: Arndrae Luks T: 08 8243 8234E: arndrae.luks@novita.org.auThe opinions expressed in Nexus are those of theindividual authors and do not necessarily reflectthe views of Novita Children’s Services. Whileevery care has been taken in the preparation ofNexus, the information contained within is of ageneral nature only and does not constitute advice.Articles from Nexus may be reproduced in otherforums, provided the information is produced in full,with written acknowledgement of its source.Privacy Statement: Novita Children’s Services usesyour personal information for the purpose ofdistributing Nexus to you each term. Yourinformation is strictly confidential and will not bedisclosed to any external party. If you no longerwish to receive Nexus, please contact NovitaMarketing on (08) 8243 8229.ABN: 53 137 537 636