Friendships and relationships

Assistive technology and equipment options can enhance the process of learning how to communicate and move.

These friendships are often a primary source of influence during adolescence, so it is helpful to get to know your teen’s friends, their personalities and their values. Encouraging and supporting friendships in teenagers is a great way to help them develop important life skills needed during adulthood, including tolerance, empathy, care and compassion, problem solving and negotiation.

Teenagers at this time are working out who they are, who they want to be, and how to achieve that. They may seek information and start exploring sexual feelings, emotions, dating, gender identity, and romantic relationships. A strong parent-child relationship based on open communication is important during this time. Teenagers need parents for love and support – staying connected and available means teenagers know they have access to stable, trusted and non-judgemental support.

To learn more about how we can support you, please contact our friendly team

How we can help

What we help with
  • Building communication and conversation skills
  • Building social and emotional skills
  • Joining in groups
  • Making friends and joining in
  • Positive play and participation
  • Social communication to build and maintain friendships and relationships with others
Who can help

Our trained and dedicated staff support teenagers and their families.

You can work with our:  

  • Exercise physiologists
  • Occupational therapists  
  • Physiotherapists  
  • Speech pathologists  
How we can help

We offer a blended model of services to meet the individual needs of teenagers and their families. 

Appointments may be arranged: 

  • At your local centre; 
  • In your home; 
  • In your local community
  • At camps, outings and intensives
  • Or via Telepractice 


A small group session may be recommended. Groups can be attended in person or via Telepractice.

Funding supports
    • If you have a funding package from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), we can work with you to maximise the benefits. You can purchase supports using your: 

      • Capacity Building budget 
        • Improved Daily Living (15)
        • Increased Social and Community Participation (9)
        • Improved Relationships (11)

Tell me more

We will respond as soon as possible, between Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

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