Expert Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Screening & Support for Children

Does your child face learning challenges?
We can help.

Could your child’s self esteem get a boost from easily reading?
Would your child feel happier if they were competent writers?
Would your child like to be able to read back their own handwriting happily?
Would your child love to feel confident in their spelling capacity?
Would your child like to feel more enthusiastic and competent in their Maths skills?
Would your child feel better about school if they were making progress to catch up with their friends? (Reading, Spelling & Math.)
Would your child like to feel confident, empowered and understood with their school attendance challenges?
Would it be beneficial to further understand your child through detailed assessment?

The Rookery Road Mission p

Rookery Road believes that every person has the right to learn the way that works for them, and we're passionate about making sure that happens. We offer teaching and support focussed on connection so you can help your child with their reading, writing, spelling, maths, emotional or social development.

Our sessions are designed around the learners' needs, so whether you're looking for one-on-one support, want to join a group session, or wish to engage in some school-based professional learning, our specialist educators can help!

Most sessions are run from Rookery Road HQ in the Inner West of Melbourne but we also support students in their school environment or online.

Humour, connectivity, and explicit instruction are strengths Rookery Road leverage while working with children and adults alike. The team meet together each week for reflection and professional learning.

Cathy Harrison, a leading expert in the specific learning difficulties field, skillfully leads the team. Rookery Road supports hundreds of families and students to succeed and develop confidence all year round.

Our Team

Our team has the highest recommendations and expertise to ensure our clients are met with exceptional professionals. Cathy brings 25 years of specialising in learning differences to the team. She has worked in early intervention (0-6) right through to working with adults. She specialises in Literacy Intervention, parent advocacy and school training. The team is now up to 11 - including our Accounts Manager, working in an array of hybrid options.

We are proud to support a neurodiverse workspace for clients and staff alike. With constant refining of our focus for the team, we are fostering a neuroinclusive culture.

Who we are:

Educators with Bachelor of Teaching & Education (Primary and Secondary)
Bachelor of Social Work
3rd Year Pre-Service Primary Teacher

Some of our additional training:

Advanced Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties through Oxford University, UK
LETRS training face to face with Dr. Carol Tolman & Dr. Mary Delgren
MSL through Australian Dyslexia Association
Sounds Write
Orton Gillingham basic, advanced & maths with Ron Yoshimoto
Mini Lit - through Macquarie University
Barton Reading Program
Sound Walls with Dr. Mary Delgren
Plus a multitude of smaller courses
Two are currently studying their Masters in Education through LaTrobe University

Assistive Technology sessions

Face to face

Ongoing weekly sessions

Touch Typing, Voice-to-text, Text-to-speech, basic computer orientation, and setting up documents and files. 1:1 or small groups.

Assistive Technology Health Check (ATHC)

Our ATHC is for families wanting to identify the basic skills held by their child relating to their laptop knowledge. We take a thorough screen of your child's skills with the session also being a discussion with your child to help with their own self advocacy. You will receive a summary report and specific recommendations for future directions.

Laptop Review

We are offering sessions for our students who are new users to their laptop (perfect for Year 7 Students) or for those who have had a upgrade to their system and need a revision (Secondary Students or even parents!)

Literacy Assessment - Full profiling

Face to face

For many of our families they have not had any intervention or guidance about their child's difficulties other than following their observations (or intuition) to seek out extra help. To which we acknowledge a parent's insight is worth gold.

The full profiling takes less than 2 hours,
Identifies exactly your child's strengths and gaps
Explicit recommendations for intervention
Provision of a proactive strategy for parents
Clear accommodations & adjustments for schools.
An extensive report is prepared with parental feedback

Kate Bertoncello is available for assessment on Thursdays & Fridays.

Maths Profiles are available upon request.

Social Work

Face to face or online

Help is available from our Social Worker - Tiffany Westphal each Monday. Tiffany looks at each family uniquely and helps to devise the best plan to ensure support is accessed.

This may be in the form of explaining how the nervous system works, identifying school stressors or building parent capacity and understanding.

Tiffany has been a pivotal part of the inquiry lead into School Cant and holds a place on the board for this group.

School Stress Investigations are also available upon request - https://www.studentstressinvestigation.com.au/

These two programs have been designed specifically to support the transition process for year 6 students who are often worried about how they will go in year 7.
We purposefully constructed the 4 session program to give students experience to front load strategies and boost confidence for a smooth start to the year.

Success for Secondary School: Executive Function

19th December 2023 : Meet and greet.

17th, 19th, 22nd & 24th January 2024

Strategies for making friends
Executive function strategies for organisation
Managing expectation
Advocacy
Assistive technology
Small Group: 8 places

Assistive Technology - Parent Workshop Masterclass

Sunday 4th May 2025
from 3pm to 5pm

We are proud to be introducing the: Sunday Series - Learning Sessions for busy families! Kicking things off with the lens on Assistive Technology.

It is acknowledged that children are often a few steps ahead of adults with the AT tools, so we are thrilled to be offering an afternoon sesh to catch you up.

This exclusive event is just for 10 lucky peeps.

Come join Cathy and Lachie for a hands on event (you will need your own devise) for a walk through of our favourite apps and platform.

Future teacher sessions TBA in 2025! PLUS

Wanting further up-skilling? Advanced Level 2 workshop with extended hands on practice in development.

Brick Buddies

HOLIDAY PROGRAM JAN 2025

LEGO® program with Lachie, our trained LEGO Therapy Facilitator now has dates for 1:1 sessions in the school holidays to be held in your home (in Melbourne)!

NB: we will NOT be offering group sessions during the break. Do drop us an email though if you are interested for term 1.

Benefits of the Brick Buddies

Promotes social development
Encourages collaboration
Develops problem solving
Enhances communication skills
Boosts self confidence
Flexible and outside the box thinking
Fosters creativity
Increases focus and attention
Celebrates diversity
Supports emotional regulation
Encourages persistence
Provides positive reinforcement

All sessions are NDIS covered

We invite you to book a time with one of our senior therapists, who will listen to your concerns, provide feedback, and make clear recommendations to direct your next steps.

Please email from the contact us form below clearly stating your concerns, age of your child and reasons for the booking.

Do note that our initial consultation is 60 minutes at $220 and does not require your child to attend. The consultation can be held online or in person at our headquarters. We look forward to helping you!

Rookery Road HQ

29 Hope Street, Spotswood VIC 3015

The Education & Support Your Child Deserves

WE HAVE NEW LITERACY 1:1 AVAILABILITY TO START IMMEDIATELY!

Join us in 2025

Professional Learning

Specialising in:

Does your child face learning challenges?
We can help.

The Rookery Road Mission p

Our Team

Current Availability