Commonly Asked Questions – Check these before referring…

  • How do I find the right help for my child or teenager?
    • Talk to your GP about your concerns and what help you may nee
    • Contact your Child and Family Health Nurse at your local Community Health Centre
    •  If your child is under 7 years old, contact BushKids to discuss early intervention supports https://www.bushkids.org.au/
    • Seek out these doctors, allied health professionals and educators
      • Psychologist – for help (parents or children) with your child’s emotional and social well-being, or to help support challenging behaviour
      • Speech Pathologist – for help with your child’s language development and communication
      • Occupational Therapist – for help with your child’s motor development and coordination, sensory processing needs, or independence in everyday life activities (e.g., getting dressed)
      • Private tutor – for help if your child is finding reading, writing, or maths difficult
      • Paediatrician – for help with your child’s physical and mental well-being
      • Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist – for help with your child’s mental health
  • Do you you make formal diagnoses?
    • Yes, where appropriate.  The goal of an assessment is to learn more about an individual’s brain type, including their strengths, challenges, and differences.  Through the assessment process it often becomes clear that a child or young person meets the diagnostic criteria for a particular condition and Dr Marnie will discuss this with parents and document the diagnosis in the report, where appropriate.
  • Do I need a diagnosis to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)? 
    • If your child is under 7 years old, you can contact BushKids to discuss support, without a diagnosis.
    • If your child is over 7 years old, you must be able to show NDIS that your child has a disability or diagnosis that causes them significant difficulty in everyday life.
  • What age group does Dr Marnie see?
    • Dr Marnie sees children and young people from the ages of 3 to early 20’s.
  • How long is Dr Marnie’s waitlist?
    • This can vary, but usually the wait to see Dr Marnie is about six months.  In the meantime, please do talk to your GP about the help you need, and seek out appropriate supports (see list above).