Your launchpad to success

Early intervention support for children with diverse needs

About Us

Empowering individuals

Lift Off Early Intervention is specialised support for children with disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay and other diverse needs. Early detection and intervention are critical to significantly reduce the impact of developmental delay, ASD, speech delay and other disorders

The earlier the better. The connections in the brain are more adaptable in three years to five years of life and are the foundation for learning and behaviour. Our aim at Lift Off is to alter the trajectory of your child’s development. We help to provide a launchpad for their success, in collaboration with your family.

Lift Off Early Intervention is specialised support for children with disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay and other diverse needs. Early detection and intervention are critical to significantly reduce the impact of developmental delay, ASD, speech delay and other disorders

The earlier the better. The connections in the brain are more adaptable in three years to five years of life and are the foundation for learning and behaviour. Our aim at Lift Off is to alter the trajectory of your child’s development. We help to provide a launchpad for their success, in collaboration with your family.

Read more

For your child,
it will feel like play

Our Services

Comprehensive support solutions

Our multi-disciplinary early intervention service is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for every child.

ESDM

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an evidence-based early intervention approach specifically designed for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 12 to 48 months.

Developmental Education

Developmental Educators are multi-disciplinary disability specialists with expertise in fostering the skills, independence, and quality of life of individuals with developmental and/or acquired disabilities.

Speech Pathology

A Speech Pathologist can help infants, toddlers and young children by providing specialised therapies and interventions to improve communication skills, such as using visual aids and augmentative communication devices.

Occupational Therapy

Paediatric Occupational Therapy or OT focuses on helping children of all ages with physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges be as independent as possible in all areas of their lives.

Positive
Behaviour Support

Early Intervention Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a proactive and evidence-based approach which aims to promote desirable behaviours by reducing challenging behaviours in young children…

Parent Training Sessions

Help your child with ASD to connect, communicate and learn like never before! 

Schedule your consultation today!

Our Shop

Available for purchase in clinic

Astro

Rocky

Beanies

Caps

Why choose us?

Reasons to choose Lift Off

Our early intervention program follows the Early Start Denver Model, a holistic, evidence-based model. All our therapists are trained in the model and incorporate the principles into their session, whether accessing Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Behaviour Therapy.

Each week, children participate in individual sessions with a Certified ESDM therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, educators, or behaviour therapist dependant on the service your child accesses.

Self-help skills

Fine motor & gross motor skills

Communication skills

Focus & Cognitive Skills

Play & social skills

Long-term wellbeing for child & family

Success Stories

Changing lives together

Our service is committed to collaborating with and empowering families by providing them with knowledge, resources, and support they need. We offer parent training, workshops, and support group to help families navigate the early intervention process.

Contact us

Ready to Lift Off?

Find out how we can support you and your child on a path to success. Contact us today to arrange an appointment with our team of early intervention specialists.

Meet Voula

Founder & Director

Voula is the Founder and Managing Director of Lift Off Early Intervention. She is a dedicated pioneer in the realm of special education. With over 25 years of unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering children with diverse needs, she stands as a beacon of compassion and expertise. Through the years she has completed Bachelor of Teaching, Bachelor of Education, Master of Special Education, and a Master of Autism. While Voula holds her Certification as an ESDM therapist, she has ceased booking appointments to prioritise her involvement in Lift Off’s expansion, keynote speaking engagements, fostering innovation, and continuing her mission of positively influencing lives through various avenues.

Driven by a vision of creating a more inclusive society, Voula has established her own early intervention centre. With meticulous planning and unwavering determination, she founded Lift Off EI, dedicated to providing comprehensive support and resources to children with developmental delays and disabilities. Moreover, she holds the position of Board Advisory chair.

Voula’s unwavering dedication extends beyond the walls of her centre. She actively engages with the wider community, currently holding a Board position at The Embrace Kids Foundation. She has also founded Mums Matter, a movement dedicated to the empowerment, value, and connection of mothers around the world, with a special focus on those navigating challenges. Her journey is not merely about accolades or accomplishments but about the countless lives positively impacted and transformed along the way.


Voula is a passionate keynote speaker who delivers content pertinent to her expertise to deliver the message around inclusivity, interactions, embracing and overcoming challenges.

Meet Jacob

20+ years growing and coaching businesses across Australia, Asia, Germany, the USA and Singapore, from start-ups, to SMEs, corporates and multinationals, listed and unlisted, government and private.

Leadership experience spans Strategy, Sales and Marketing, Retail Operations, International Expansions, Management, HR, to Technology and Systems and Transformations.

Industry experience spans Print, Packaging, Media, Retail to Banking, Consulting, to Manufacturing. Possesses advanced product/service knowledge relating to Printing, Consulting Programs, Retail Equipment and solutions, to Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, and Mentoring.

Renowned by industry and peers for passionate, inspirational and inclusive leadership, and depth of management experience. Recognised by Boards for strategic prowess in developing business plans, business models and product/service offerings, for exemplary execution to plan and strategic management of stakeholders and customers.

Partners with CEO/Boards in building brands, outwitting competitors, to opening and dominating new markets.

Meet Peter

Peter contributes a rich perspective to boardroom discussions, drawing from his extensive expertise in the property and construction markets, cultivated over two decades as the founder and managing director of a leading construction services firm.

Currently, he serves as chairperson of the board at Structum Pty Ltd and holds board positions at Atlas Investment Corporation and 1v1 Gamefight. Additionally, he dedicated eight years to the Property Advisory Group of not-for-profit organisation YWCA NSW, five of which he led as chairperson.

His professional journey encompasses ventures in startups, private companies, and the not-for-profit sector. Peter serves as a dedicated mentor and advisor, leveraging his broad experience to collaborate effectively with fellow board members, offering incisive questions and strategic insights to drive success.

He earned a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from the University of Sydney. Born in Australia from a migrant family of the 1960’s European Diaspora, he currently resides in Sydney with his wife and three teenage children.

Meet Chris

As an Entrepreneurial Leader with a strong and proven background of innovative transformation across a number of Financial Services organisations, Chris has over 25 years leading global technology teams working across senior leadership roles including at the C-Suite level.

Beyond Chris’ leadership roles in Barclays Global Investors, Blackrock, Macquarie Bank, Challenger and Cuscal, Chris also served on the SWIFT User Group of Australia, and Chaired the FSC Technology and Innovation Expert Group. 

Recently, Chris has taken up a board seat for an innovative technology start up company, GameFight, and has advised other boards with their business strategies. Having joined the board of Lift Off Early Intervention in 2024, Chris is excited to join Voula and the leadership group in guiding the strategy for such an inspiring and purposeful business

Meet Kate

During the first 20 years of her career, Kate worked in senior leadership roles in the Australian and Asia Pacific region including positions with Citibank, ANZ Banking Group and Commonwealth Bank generating revenue and building business relationships.

In 2001 she joined the Not for Profit industry as Head of Fundraising at The Smith Family, CEO/Executive Director at YWCA NSW and CEO at Learning Links. She was also on the National Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia for 5 years.

During 2015/6 she travelled extensively throughout the world and when she returned, she shared her experience volunteering and coaching MBA students at UTS and senior women in banks and NFP organisations.

In 2016 she formalised her consulting business, joining Active Directions, a niche consulting company, offering practical and pragmatic support to businesses at every stage of their development, delivering effective strategies focused on growth, operational improvement and investor readiness.

There she focussed on supporting the MD and developing the business consultants as well as undertaking commercial consulting projects specialising in Indigenous and NDIS focussed Not for Profit organisations.

Whilst Kate is now semi-retired, she continues to be passionate about transformational and organisational change management, relationship building, and revenue generation to support increased returns on economic, human and social investment. She has a personal focus on and involvement with the theory and practice of supporting young people and their education focussing on early intervention and lifelong learning.

Meet Veta

Certified ESDM Therapist

After sixteen years as a dedicated primary school teacher with an interest in behaviour, Veta joined Lift Off EI and trained in the ESDM through to Certification at the University of Wollongong.

She is passionate about making a difference in children’s lives and creating a positive and empowering environment for all families at Lift Off EI. Veta is part of the management team and is Lift Off EI’s second in charge. She is friendly, innovative, funny and a problem-solver.

Meet Issa

Certifying ESDM Therapist

Studying a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Humanities) and ESDM trained through the University of Wollongong. He is passionate about making a positive contribution in people’s lives. 

He has previously worked as a teacher and a support worker assisting young children and youth with diverse needs. Issa is fluent in both Arabic and English and keeps busy outside of work as a member of a choir and singing classic Arabic songs.

Meet Irena

Certifying ESDM Therapist

With over twenty years of dedicated experience as an educator, Irena has passionately focused on catering to the unique needs of students with special needs. She has worked in mainstream classrooms and in the support unit as a teacher and Assistant Principal.

Armed with a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the University of Sydney, and ESDM trained at the University of Wollongong, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the realm of early intervention therapy for children with autism and special needs.

Committed to fostering positive transformations, she is enthusiastic about utilising her educational background and hands-on experience to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families. She is passionate about unlocking the potential of every child by providing a nurturing and caring environment where children love to learn, play, and grow.

Meet Angel

Administration

After starting her career at the airport, where she honed essential customer service skills in a dynamic environment, Angel ventured into various administrative and coordination roles within the construction and banking sectors, each offering unique lessons. Additionally, she spent time in childcare, fostering her nurturing side.

Angel’s lifelong dedication to sports, particularly soccer, instilled in her a deep appreciation for teamwork.

 

After joining the Lift Off Team, she has found immense fulfillment in working with families and children, supported by a passionate team.

Working as an all-rounder, you’ll find Angel smiling at the reception desk, a friendly voice over the phone, running our social media accounts and as a supporting therapist during rocketeer sessions.

Meet Katy

Administration

Katy is a dedicated administration professional with a passion for allied health and a commitment to improving patient experience. Her journey in allied health began in 2021 within the aged care field and then moved over to the NDIS sector in 2023. Prior to finding her niche within the Allied Health sector she worked in the Banking & Finance field for 23 years

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their families and taking her spoilt little Moodle dog for walks. She is driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and the broader community.

Meet Kristina

Certifying ESDM Therapist

With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, Kristina has seamlessly transitioned her love and care for children into the early intervention field, discovering a profound passion along the way. Holding a Bachelor of Education, she is currently advancing her expertise at the University of Wollongong, training in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) to better support families and children with Autism and special needs.

Kristina is dedicated to building strong, meaningful relationships with both families and children. Her commitment to fostering these connections shines through in her daily interactions, making a positive impact every single day.

What is ESDM?

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an evidence-based early intervention approach specifically designed for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 12 to 48 months. Developed by Dr. Sally Rogers and Dr. Geraldine Dawson, the ESDM is a holistic therapy that integrates developmental and relationship-based approaches to foster communication, social skills, and cognitive development in young children. ESDM is designed to be flexible and can be delivered in various settings. The ultimate aim is to improve the developmental trajectory of young children with autism, promoting their ability to communicate, learn, and engage socially.

Key Features of ESDM
Comprehensive Intervention

ESDM targets a wide range of developmental domains, including language, social skills, imitation, motor skills, and adaptive behaviour.

Play-Based and Relationship-Focused

The model emphasises naturalistic and play-based interactions to create engaging and enjoyable learning experiences. The goal is to build positive relationships between the child and their caregivers or therapists.

Individualised Curriculum

ESDM uses a developmental curriculum tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs. Goals are set based on the child’s current developmental level and progress is continually monitored and adjusted.

Family Involvement

Parents and caregivers are considered essential partners in the intervention. ESDM includes training and support for families to implement strategies in daily routines and activities.

Naturalistic Teaching Methods

ESDM focuses on teaching skills in the context of everyday activities, making learning relevant and meaningful for the child.

Empirical Support

Research studies have shown that children receiving ESDM interventions demonstrate significant improvements in cognitive abilities, language skills, and adaptive behaviour compared to children receiving other types of interventions.

What we do and how we help
Assessment

We assess children first using the ESDM Curriculum Checklist for Young Children with Autism. This is a comprehensive play based developmental checklist that is used for the purpose of assessing the child’s current skill level and formulating 2-3 objectives from each developmental domain for a termly 10-week intervention program, to target developmental gaps.

Goal Setting

Development of individualised goals based on the assessment in collaboration with parents/caregivers.

Intervention Sessions

Regular sessions with trained therapists, incorporating play-based activities and naturalistic teaching strategies.

What is Developmental Education?

Developmental Educators are multi-disciplinary disability specialists with expertise in fostering the skills, independence, and quality of life of individuals with developmental and/or acquired disabilities. As allied health professionals, Developmental Educators have a practical approach and work holistically across the life span to address issues which may affect the function, independence, and social inclusion of individuals with disability, their families, and carers.

Developmental Educators implement and develop methodologies that enable the application of effective strategies to support the individual developmental learning goals of people who experience challenges such as acquired brain injury, physical and neurological disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and other disabilities. Developmental Educators also work closely with families and caregivers, and other allied health professionals who may be involved in the support of an individual.

  • Promoting the physical and emotional well-being of people with disabilities
  • Undertaking developmental and functional behavioural assessment
  • Developing and implementing positive behaviour support programs
  • Teaching functional life skills including social, communication, self-care, daily living, recreation, and employment
  • Assisting people with a disability to set and attain individual goals
  • Working and liaising with families, service providers, allied health professionals, and community members to enhance the choice, social inclusion, and quality of life for people with disability
  • Facilitating self-advocacy and / or advocate on behalf of people with disabilities
  • Helping families, caregivers and individuals with disability understand the impact of disability on a person’s daily functioning
Developmental Educators can offer supports such as:
  • Assisting with specific skills development that will enhance the ability of the participant to travel and use public transport independently.
  • Development of daily living and life skills (e.g., developing routines, dressing, play, toileting, sleep, personal hygiene, behaviour, social skills) focusing on training and development activities undertaken by the participant and/or their carer to increase their ability to live as autonomously as possible.
  • Training for carers/parents.
  • Short and long-term supports that focus on strengthening the participant’s ability to coordinate their supports, and to assist them to live at home and participate in their community.
  • Assisting participants to participate actively in community, social and civic activities; includes supporting participants during these activities and developing participants’ ability to partake in these activities (e.g., playground skills, road awareness, social skills, behaviour).
  • Provision of assistance with and/or supervising tasks of daily life in a shared living environment, which is either temporary or ongoing, with a focus on developing the skills of each individual to live as autonomously as possible.
  • Life transition planning, including mentoring and peer support, focusing on individual skill development.
  • Strengthening the participant’s ability to undertake tasks associated with the management of their supports.
  • Training, development, and therapy, where needed, to assist a participant to acquire or increase their skills in independence and community participation.
  • Provision of assistance to enable a participant to attend and participate in school or educational programs.
  • Ongoing assistance with transition from school and into, and throughout, further education.
  • Transition into and through school and to further education.
  • Provision of a mix of early childhood intervention therapies (e.g., dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, play, behaviour, social/emotional skill development, sleep), and undertaking the role of a key worker for the family.
  • Transdisciplinary early childhood intervention.
  • Specialised individual therapy for early childhood
  • Supports provided to assist their functional skills to improve participation and independence in daily, practical activities in areas such as language and communication, personal care, daily living, interpersonal interactions and community living.
  • Specialised assessment of skills, abilities, and needs. Provision of specialised assessment where the participant may have complex or unclear needs or requires long term and/or intensive supports (e.g., individual assessment of daily living skills, developmental assessment; functional behaviour assessment).
  • Multi-disciplinary team intervention.
  • Social skills development.
  • Behaviour support and intervention that includes a plan developed that aims to limit the likelihood of behaviours of concern developing and /or increasing.
  • Intensive behavioural intervention, development, and monitoring of management plan.
  • Behaviour management plan / training in behaviour management strategies

What is Speech Pathology ?

A Speech Pathologist can help infants, toddlers and young children by providing specialised therapies and interventions to improve communication skills, such as using visual aids and augmentative communication devices.

They can also work on improving social skills, such as initiating and maintaining conversations, and addressing any feeding or swallowing difficulties. Through individualised treatment plans, a Speech Pathologist can help children improve their overall communication abilities and quality of life.

COMMON CONDITIONS WE MANAGE:
  • Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation and Phonological Disorders)
  • Language Delays and Disorders
  • Stuttering (Fluency Disorder)
  • Voice Disorders:
  • Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia):
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
  • Developmental Disabilities:
What we do and how we help
  • Assessment and diagnosis
  • Individualised treatment planning
  • Speech therapy
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Utilisation of assistive technology
  • Visual aids and communication tools
  • Parent/Caregiver education
  • Collaboration with other professionals
  • Early intervention programs
  • Swallowing therapy
  • Monitoring progress and adjusting therapy
  • Improving the clarity of speech
  • Social skills

What is Occupational Therapy?

Paediatric Occupational Therapy or OT focuses on helping children of all ages with physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges be as independent as possible in all areas of their lives.

As mentioned previously the word ‘occupation’ can be a little misleading, and perhaps even align with something that is just for adults. After all, children do not have occupations. But a child’s main ‘job’ is playing and learning. Occupational therapists can evaluate your child’s skills in a variety of areas that include play, school performance, and other daily activities.

What we do and how we help

Through a variety of play-based activities, an occupational therapist can assess and provide therapy for the component areas in the performance of daily activities:

  • Sensory: You child’s ability to interpret and organise information from the senses about their body and environment.
  • Motor: Your child’s tone and strength, patterns of movement, posture, gross and fine motor function and hand-eye coordination.
  • Cognitive: Your child’s arousal level and attention skills, initiation and planning of activity, problem solving and safety awareness.
  • Psychosocial: The child’s self-esteem, motivation and social interaction.
    By helping children improve their cognitive, physical, sensory, and motor skills; occupational therapy can enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
COMMON CONDITIONS
  • Cerebral Palsy;
  • Down Syndrome;
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD);
  • Global Developmental Delay;
  • or may not yet be diagnosed or have a specific disability.

What is Positive Behaviour Support ?

Early Intervention Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a proactive and evidence-based approach which aims to promote desirable behaviours by reducing challenging behaviours in young children through consultation with the person their carers, families, and other support systems.

What we do and how we help

In early intervention PBS, strategies typically involve functional behaviour assessments (FBAs) to understand the underlying causes of challenging behaviours, followed by the development of behaviour support plans (BSPs) that outline proactive strategies, teaching alternatives, and reinforcement strategies to promote desired behaviours. The goal is to create supportive environments that foster positive behaviour change, enhance social skills, and improve overall quality of life for individuals and their families.

Our Positive Behaviour Support service aims to reduce challenging behaviours by:

  • Understanding what the person is communicating through their behaviours,
  • Increasing the person’s quality of life,
  • Making changes in the environment,
  • Teaching the person new skills, and
  • Helping families and support people with effective strategies to respond to the behaviours
COMMON CONDITIONS
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD)
  • Developmental Delays
  • Communication Disorders
  • Sensory Processing Disorders
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury
  • Family Dynamics and Environmental Factors

What is Parent Training Sessions?

Help your child with ASD to connect, communicate and learn like never before!

5 X 1.5 HOUR WORKSHOPS, DESIGNED FOR PARENTS & CARERS

Focused on daily routines and play, the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) integrates both behavioural and developmental principles to empower children with ASD to become active participants in the world around them.

Research has found that ESDM can significantly improve cognitive and social and communication skills in children with ASD, as well as reducing maladaptive behaviours.