Frequently Asked Questions
As a parent, Natalie understands that you might have lots of questions in your journey to find the right solution for your child. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers that might help to set your mind at ease.
General Questions
Q: Can you travel to our home?
A: Unfortunately, Hidden Key does not provide a mobile service. We are conveniently located in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast and have an inclusive, air-conditioned, very child friendly clinic with all resources and amenities required to run the sessions.
Q: Do I need to stay for the appointment?
A: This is entirely up to you and your child. You are welcome to observe your child for the session. However, we do find that we often have better results with students when they are not under the eye of their parent or guardian, so we would encourage you to enjoy the break while we get to work! Regardless of your decision, we do encourage a very clear line of communication with the caregiver to ensure that there is a consistent approach between us to maximise the results for your child.
Q: How often are the appointments and how many times does my child need to attend?
A: Appointments are 50 minutes long in duration. As for the frequency of appointments, this depends entirely on the needs and progress of your child, however most students attend once per week. At our first appointment, assessments will be conducted to provide a benchmark of achievement. Most plans will be based on the length of a school term, with a new assessment and plan to be conducted at the commencement of each new term (if required). However, these plans will be discussed with you following the initial assessments.
Q: Do you offer general tutoring or just literacy intervention?
A: While Natalie specialises in literacy, she is also a qualified primary school teacher and therefore is qualified to provide tutoring across all areas of primary education. These sessions are provided at the same hourly rate as literacy intervention sessions.
Questions relating to your child's needs
Q: My child has dyslexia (specific learning disability of reading), can you help them?
A: Yes! Cracking the ABC Code was originally designed by Dr. Lillian Fawcett to cater to children with both diagnosed and undiagnosed dyslexia. The program was so successful that it was then extended to any child that struggled to read and write. This Code forms the foundation of Hidden Key’s approach to bridging the literacy gap. Natalie has also undertaken several courses to better understand dyslexia and has worked with many children that have had great success under her guidance.
Q: My child has ADHD, is this the right place for them?
A: Yes! Natalie has lots of experience with children which is why her clinic is a child-friendly environment and she is a qualified ADHD Coach. There are mini-tramps to keep the body moving while learning, there are a box of fidgets to keep the hands occupied while the brain is focusing and Natalie makes an effort to really connect with each child to make them feel comfortable and in the bests state of mind to learn.
Q: My child is neuro-diverse, is this the right place for them?
A: Yes! Natalie has a deep understanding of neurodiversity and lots of experience in connecting with children with a range of abilities. Natalie is incredibly patient, understanding and focuses on developing a warm and friendly environment for all students to ensure that they feel comfortable and look forward to their weekly sessions. Natalie is happy to work together with any support worker, OT or other carer to help ensure that the needs of your child are being fulfilled.
Q: My child has additional needs that will need to be supported, can this be achieved?
A: Absolutely. Natalie has created an inclusive environment with a range of seating options, adjustable tables and sensory options. If there are any additional needs that your child needs met to ensure that they are happy and safe while attending their sessions, please discuss these with Natalie.
Questions about ADHD Coaching
Q: Do I need a referral or an official ADHD diagnosis for my child?
A: No, and no. We do not require any referral and we do not need an official diagnosis. If you have noticed that your child has displayed ADHD symptoms (such as: poor executive functioning, impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor organisational skills, lack of motivation, poor emotional regulation), then we can help! All coaching is personalised to suit the strengths and weaknesses of each child, so a diagnosis is irrelevant to our cause.
Q: Does coaching replace therapy or sessions with the psychologist?
A: No. Coaching is a stengths-based, forward planning session that helps to equip your child with the skills that they need to overcome challenges that they face from having ADHD. While there can often be some overlaps between what we do and traditional counselling sessions, we are in no way a replacement for these types of therapeutic practices.
Q: Can I use my NDIS funding if I have a self-managed plan?
A: Maybe? It truly depends on the plan and the goals set within the plan. While we provide recognised capacity building as well as skill development and training, we in no way make any representation that our services are covered by your plan. We suggest contacting your support coordinator for further guidance.
Q: What kind of skills are covered in ADHD coaching?
A: We examine and help to develop a wide range of executive functioning and daily living skills across the categories of activation (motivation), focus, effort, memory and action. These skills are personalised and adapted to harness the strengths and passion of your child, and provide them with strategies that will serve them for the rest of their life.