FOR CHILDREN AGED 0–9 · SYDNEY & MELBOURNE

Early Intervention for autism that helps your child build the skills they need for everyday life.

If you are worried about your child’s development, you are not alone. Our experienced clinicians build personalised Early Intervention programs that help children develop communication, social, emotional and everyday life skills, including children with more complex support needs. We support your family at every step.

🏆Australia’s Most Outstanding Behaviour Supports Provider 2025

✅Registered NDIS Provider

🎓BCBA/CBA Qualified Behaviour Support Specialists

📍Melbourne · Sydney · Brisbane · Adelaide

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is therapy and support provided to children with autism during the early years of their development, when they are learning and growing the fastest. Starting support as early as possible helps children build the skills that everyday life asks of them: communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence.

Every child develops differently, so Early Intervention is tailored to each child’s strengths, needs and goals. With the right structured support in place early, children build confidence, develop new skills and take a fuller part in life at home, in childcare, at school and in their community.

Who we help

At the Lizard Centre, our Early Intervention programs support children with autism aged 0 to 9 who may:

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Have a developmental delay

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Find communication difficult, including children who are non speaking or minimally speaking

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Need support with behaviour or emotional regulation

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Struggle with everyday skills such as sleeping, eating, toileting or play

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Have more complex support needs — intensive, multidisciplinary or behaviour support led therapy

Children with complex support needs are welcome here.

Some children need more than an hour of therapy a week. Where a child has significant communication barriers, behaviours that place them or others at risk, or several areas of delay at once, our Behaviour Support Specialists and multidisciplinary clinicians build a program with the intensity and structure those needs call for.

We support families using NDIS funding for Improved Daily Living and Therapy Supports.

If you are unsure how your child’s funding can be used, our team will walk you through it.

How does Early Intervention work?

Our Early Intervention programs target three areas of development that shape a child’s everyday life.

Improved communication

We help children express themselves with confidence, building communication skills, developing language and supporting social interaction. Strategies are evidence based and matched to the individual child, including children who communicate without speech.

Building social skills

We support children to develop meaningful relationships, building confidence in play, in social interactions and in the ordinary situations that make up a childhood, through guided practice in a supportive environment.

Strengthening behaviour management

Our experienced Behaviour Support Specialists work closely with families to understand the reasons behind a behaviour, then develop personalised strategies that build new skills, remove barriers to participation and help children thrive at home, at school and in the community.

How Lizard can help

Every child is different, so we begin by understanding your child’s strengths, challenges and goals, then build a personalised therapy plan around them.

Your family works closely with our Behaviour Support Specialists and clinicians to build practical skills that make everyday life easier, and to help your child become more confident, more independent and more engaged in the things they do each day.

Why families choose the Lizard Centre for Early Intervention:

✓Individualised therapy programs, with the intensity matched to your child’s needs

✓Experienced multidisciplinary clinicians and Behaviour Support Specialists

✓Evidence informed approach

✓Parent coaching included, at no additional cost

✓Therapy at our centres, and at home, childcare and in the community where available

✓Regular goal reviews and progress tracking, so you can see what is changing

“Highly professional staff with comprehensive and up to date knowledge. I was recommended to the centre by another parent and I too now recommend this service to others. It’s a game changer. Lives are improved.”

"My son has been attending lizard children centre for over 4 years. All the therapists he’s had have been professional, engaging and dedicated to every goal we have set for him. The team at lizard have been monumental in helping him with his self regulation, independence and communication. I’m forever grateful to them. If you have a child with a learning disability don’t hesitate to get in contact with their team."

"We love Lizard and would recommend their services to anyone with a young children on the spectrum. The improvement we have seen in our child has been out of this world. He has learnt so many valuable skills that will stay with him for a lifetime. The staff are so friendly, supportive and helpful. As parents we have learnt so much and have been able to apply our knowledge to our every day life which helps keep consistency for our child."

"I can’t speak highly enough of Lizards Centre and their exceptional therapy team, led by Therapy Supervisor Nancy. From the start, the team has provided us with high-quality, timely support that genuinely cares for both the client and the family. Lizards Centre has ensured that Maisha has made remarkable progress while also being incredibly respectful of our funding, guiding us on how best to use it."

Frequently asked questions

Is my child too young for Early Intervention?

Almost certainly not. Early Intervention is designed for the years when children learn most quickly, and support can begin long before school age. There is no need to wait and see. If something about your child's development is worrying you, that is reason enough to have a conversation with us. Our programs support children from birth to nine years of age.

Does my child need an autism diagnosis before Early Intervention can start?

No. You do not need a formal autism diagnosis to begin a conversation with us. If you have concerns about your child's development, our team can talk through what support might help and guide you on the next steps.

Can I use my NDIS funding?

Yes. We support families using NDIS funding for Improved Daily Living and Therapy Supports. If you are unsure how your child's funding can be used, our team will walk you through it.

My child has more complex support needs. Can you help?

Yes. Where a child has significant communication barriers, behaviours that place them or others at risk, or several areas of delay at once, our Behaviour Support Specialists and multidisciplinary clinicians build a program with the intensity and structure those needs call for.

Where does therapy happen?

Therapy is delivered at our centres, and at home, in childcare and in the community where available, so support fits naturally into your child's everyday life.

How often will my child have therapy?

It depends on your child's goals and needs. Some children benefit from a few hours a week, while others need more intensive support. We design a schedule around your child and review it regularly with you.

How soon can therapy begin?

We aim to start as soon as possible. Once you reach out, our intake team will guide you through the next steps and let you know current availability in your region.

How do I get started?

Simply talk to our team. Call us or make an enquiry, and our friendly intake team will guide you through every step.

Regions We Cover

Early Intervention across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Find your region below.

📍 Melbourne

City of Melbourne

Footscray · Camberwell · Box Hill

Melbourne North

Essendon · Hadfield · Northcote · Heidelberg · Greensborough

Bayside & Monash

Brighton · Mentone · Keysborough · Dandenong · Glen Waverley · Doncaster

Melbourne West

Manor Lakes · Wyndham Vale · Truganina · Point Cook · Melton

📍 Sydney

Northern Beaches

Mosman · Manly · Seaforth · Frenchs Forest

Inner West

St George · Canterbury · Bankstown

Campbelltown, Liverpool & Bankstown

Austral · Leppington

Parramatta & Blacktown

📍 Brisbane

Brisbane South

Coorparoo · Mount Gravatt · Forest Lakes · Parkinson · Springwood · Sunnybank

Brisbane North

Aspley · Northgate · Hendra · Windsor · Stafford · Arana Hills · Boondall · Geebung

Moreton Bay

Caboolture · Burpengary · North Lakes · Redcliffe · Strathpine

📍 Adelaide

Adelaide regions

Salisbury · Prospect · Rostrevor · Henley Beach · Seacliff · Woodcroft · Seaford

Therapy is delivered at our centres, and at home, childcare and in the community where available.

Every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Whether you have recently received a diagnosis, are waiting on an assessment, or are only just beginning to wonder whether your child needs support, our team is here to help you take the next step.

Or call us on 1300 752 617 · Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5pm (AEST)