9-12 Years: Beyond Early Childhood Intervention
Moving schools, new grades or other environments.
Read moreNDIS Developmental Education
Supporting young people and their families navigate life's transitions.
Driving Positive Developmental Change
At Everyday Independence, developmental educators help young people and their families navigate key life transitions—from later childhood to independent adulthood*.
Our developmental educators are trained to assess, plan and deliver supports to empower young people to transition through school, build meaningful peer connections, and prepare for independence, further education, or employment.
As leaders within a broader team of occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, behaviour support practitioners, and habit coaches, developmental educators coordinate discipline-specific supports to navigate each new developmental challenge.
By understanding every aspect of a person’s support network and aspirations, developmental educators work directly with people in their homes and communities, serving as guides and partners in developing independence, well-being, and inclusion in everyday life.
* This service is currently offered by the Central Adelaide, Southern Adelaide and Bayside therapy hubs.
Who are Developmental Educators?
Developmental educators are qualified professionals who hold a degree in disability studies. At Everyday Independence they use their knowledge of disability and development, environmental barriers, social perceptions and peer dynamics to help youths and young adults gain new abilities and more confidence in their everyday functional life skills.
They are recognised by the NDIS and listed in the Pricing Arrangements under Capacity Building Supports.
What to Expect from Developmental Educators
Your developmental educator will serve as your main therapist, leading and coordinating your therapy journey. They will:
- Assess your goals, life challenges and therapy needs to develop your therapy plan
- Deliver most of your therapy
- Organise services from other allied health practitioners and links to external supports like education, mental health, welfare, community and employment services.
Life Stages Supported by Developmental Educators
Read how our developmental educators can support young people to achieve more than they thought possible with dedicated team coordination and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have never heard of a Developmental Educator (DE) before. How can they help me?
A Developmental Educator is a specialist in disability. They have a university degree in disability, and they are accredited through DEAI (Disability Educators Australia Incorporated), as recognised in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements.
Your DE will support you to streamline services, ensuring a coordinated, high impact and cost-effective service. They provide therapy, assess developmental and behavioural needs, and collaborate with you, your family and support networks to develop personalised strategies that build your capacity.
What is the difference between a Developmental Educator (DE) and an Occupational Therapist (OT)?
Our Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Developmental Educators (DEs) work as part of a therapy team. Both work on improving a person’s quality of life, so there can be times when the work of an OT and DE will cross over in areas such as life skill and social skill development.
DEs work with their participants and their supports to better understand and work towards their goals through structured support and teaching life skills, whilst also promoting social connections and community integration.
OTs work with their participants by focussing on that person’s ability to perform daily tasks and “occupations”, that can include self-care, work, or social activities. An OT will support participants with interventions that address both physical and cognitive barriers.
While both roles are centred around improving quality of life, OTs tend to focus more on functional independence in daily life tasks and physical abilities, whereas DEs are more focused on holistic life participation.
What is the difference between a teacher and a Developmental Educator?
Developmental Educators (DEs) have undergone relevant training in disability and are accredited with the DEAI.
Can a Developmental Educator (DE) go into schools?
Yes. At Everyday Independence we often work in everyday environments and with the people who you spend the most time with.
Will a Developmental Educator help me find work?
A Developmental Educator (DE) can link you with services and programs to support you in finding work. They can also help you build on the necessary skills you need to be job ready. Your DE has access to a broad range of practitioners such as Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Physiotherapists to support you to build your capacity and the right support team around you.
Where can I go to learn more about Developmental Educators (DEs)?
The DEAI website: DEAI is the registered professional body that provides DEs with accreditation.
Ready to get started?
To get started with developmental education, a developmental educator comes to your home to get to know you, your family and other members of your support team. They take a whole of life approach to set you on your pathway to positive change.
Not yet a NDIS participant? Visit our NDIS pages for information on getting your plan funded.
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