On the 11th June 2019, Learning Links will officially open a new Learning Centre at SOMA Wellness health hub in Gledswood Hills.
From this new location, Learning Links professionals will provide services in schools and early childhood settings to help children who are falling behind due to learning difficulties such as ADHD, dyslexia, high functioning autism, speech and language disorders as well as mental health issues including anxiety. Parents can also access these services for their children at the centre at a fee.
Learning Links is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1972 by parents concerned about the lack of appropriate education and support services to meet their children’s needs. The Gledswood Hills centre will be Learning Links first centre in the Macarthur Region, with another six locations established across east, south and north western Sydney.
Learning Links takes a supportive and holistic approach to helping children with learning difficulties. Services range from educational and psychological assessments to targeted literacy, numeracy, behavioural and therapy interventions including counselling, speech and occupational therapies. They address problems with reading, writing, spelling, comprehension and maths.
Many Learning Links programs in schools are funded through the generosity of community partners and delivered free of charge.
Oran Park Public School recently received support for some of its students. “We worked with Learning Links on school-based programs,” said Jodie Bland, Deputy Principal. “The program ran with ease and we hope to continue to work with Learning Links in the future.”
Learning Links also delivers a range of professional learning for teachers and early childhood professionals building their capacity and providing the most current industry knowledge and standards to work with children with learning difficulties and disabilities. As part of the launch, Learning Links will be supporting 50 teaching professionals from the Camden LGA with a funded professional learning workshop on the 30th May at SOMA Wellness.
“Learning Links is passionate about working with the community to bring vital children’s services to where it is needed most. The Camden LGA is one of the fastest growing areas for young families in Sydney and in all of Australia,” said Birgitte Maibom, CEO Learning Links.
“With up to 15% of all children in Australia having learning difficulties, there is a real need for additional support to ensure these children have the best possible future. We know from recent international and Australian reports that way too many Australian children are struggling to keep up and meet the educational standard needed to secure their future and wellbeing.”
Learning Links is now taking registrations of interest for children to start educational support, speech and occupational therapy as well as learning assessments.