GV Developmental Clinic

31/10/2025

Teens with disabilities say they might end up losing contact with friends and online communities due to being banned from social media.

31/10/2025

Good news from the about changes to take place from tomorrow [1 Nov]

For over a year, we have been raising concerns about the change to Better Access starting 1 November, which states that a Mental Health Treatment Plan allowing Better Access sessions can only be prepared by a client’s ‘MyMedicare’ registered practice or their ‘usual GP’, with some strict definitions. We knew this would be harmful, as many people either don’t have a usual GP who meets the definition, or seek out a different GP to access a psychologist under Better Access.

After a significant body of work and many meetings, AAPi and other key stakeholders who shared our concerns have achieved significant positive change in the usual GP/My Medicare practice requirement regarding mental health. We greatly appreciate the Department’s openness to hearing our concerns and making these changes.

The reforms due to start on 1 November were structured so that clients had to use the same GP or practice for all their health management, a significant barrier to care for many minority groups, young people, and rural and remote clients. Due to the changes that AAPi fought for, clients will be able to nominate any GP or GP clinic that they consider to be their usual GP/medical practitioner for their mental health only, separate to the GP or practice they consider to be their usual GP for their general health management. A client can also be registered under MyMedicare but see a different GP outside of that practice for their mental health care. This change allows clients to structure their physical and mental health care in line with personal preference, which can commonly look like seeing a different medical practitioner for mental health support needs for a wide variety of reasons.

This change represents a significant advocacy win for AAPi and for the thousands of Australians who rely on accessible mental health care. By ensuring clients have the freedom to choose the GP or practice that best supports their mental health, these updates remove unnecessary barriers and restore flexibility, choice, and continuity of care.

AAPi is proud to have played a key role in achieving this outcome through sustained advocacy and collaboration with the Department of Health and other stakeholders. We thank our members for sharing their experiences, which helped strengthen our case for reform.

Read our full update including example Q&A’s, here: https://ow.ly/gWlt50XkIMX

24/10/2025

Parenting is a bit like improv comedy. You’re making it up as you go, smiling, and hoping nobody notices the occasional distress or panic in your eyes. And nothing highlights this more than birth order. Because raising your first child vs. your third? It’s like comparing a Pinterest board to a pile of laundry, or something like that [or not like that].

👶 **Firstborns**: The “Pilot Episode”
You sterilized pacifiers, tracked sleep cycles, and read parenting books like they were sacred scrolls. You whispered around nap time and cried when they ate something off the floor. You were determined to raise a high achiever, a Nobel Prize winner — or at least someone who could recite the alphabet by age two, and be assessed for giftedness.

🧒 **Middle Children**: The “Peace Negotiators”
They grew up in the shadow of the firstborn’s achievements and the youngest’s chaos. They’re fluent in compromise, and skilled in disappearing during family arguments. But don’t worry — they’ll probably be the most emotionally intelligent adult in the family. [Yes, we are kidding]

👧 **Youngest Children**: The “Plot Twist”
By now, you’ve given up on matching socks and your parenting motto is “Meh, they’ll figure it out.” The youngest gets away with everything, and thinks bedtime is a suggestion. They’re raised by a combination of exhausted parents and overly helpful siblings. They’re feral — and adorable.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 And the only child? They are all in one, the full cast of a sitcom!

💡 The truth is, birth order gives us patterns, but every child is their own wild, wonderful mystery. And every parent is just trying to survive the ride with rewards, bribes, consequences, and hopefully a lot of love.

If you are interested in our Growing Together parenting program, go to https://gvdevelopmentalclinic.com.au/group-programs-2026 and/or send us an email to admin@gvdc.com.au.

Grounded in the Circle of Security model and attachment theory, the group helps parents better understand their children’s emotional needs and strengthen their relationships. Each monthly 1-hour Zoom session (Wednesday afternoons) combines practical psychoeducation on topics chosen by the group—...

21/10/2025

💗

21/10/2025

GROW TOGETHER - 2026
Grow Together is a warm and supportive online parent group for those raising children aged 2–12.
Grounded in the Circle of Security model and attachment theory, the group helps parents better understand their children’s emotional needs and strengthen their relationships.
Each monthly 1-hour Zoom session (Wednesday afternoons) combines practical psychoeducation on topics chosen by the group—such as emotional regulation, anxiety, friendship development, screen time, self-care, or parenting neurodivergent children—with open discussion and shared support for current parenting challenges.
Facilitated by Tracy Dunkley, Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in child and parenting work and trained COS-P and COS-I facilitator, Grow Together offers a safe space to learn, connect, and feel understood. Small group size ensures meaningful connection.
Billing: NDIS Plan Managed, NDIS Self-Managed, and private
To register, please call 5858-1757 or email admin@gvdc.com.au

16/10/2025

Follow the links to the report

16/10/2025

Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids is a video project funded by the State of California to give caregivers clear, evidence-based strategies to help children thrive.

16/10/2025

For the millions of victim-survivors around the world, it can be hard to stop seeking acknowledgement. Here's what might help.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/why-wont-my-abusive-parent-admit-they-were-wrong-and-apologise-267420