At Alliance Clinics, we know that progress happens through consistent practice and supportive guidance. That’s where Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) come in – helping your child or teen get extra hands-on support, while staying closely connected to their Occupational Therapist (OT).

What is an AHA?

An AHA works across different allied health professions (e.g. OT, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy), supporting therapy programs designed by your child’s clinical team. They don’t replace your OT but they’re a vital part of the therapy journey, turning goals into everyday practice.

Why choose a therapy assistant?

• More therapy time
  AHA sessions are billed at a reduced rate, making it easier to fit in more frequent sessions.
• Consistent practice for real results
  Daily living skills like organisation, handwriting, and more improvement with consistent repetition.
• Building confidence
  By practising in fun, real-life settings, kids and teens helps to foster independence and gain confidence.

Is it right for me?

Therapy assistant programs are great for:

• Children, teens and adults who are already have an OT and would benefit from extra practice to make progress on their goals.
• Families looking for more therapy time at a budget-friendly rate.
• Teens and adults learning independence through everyday skills.

We understand that everyone’s therapy journey is unique, your OT can discuss the suitability of an AHA for your specific situation.

How does it work?

Your child’s program begins with an initial OT plan, where your Occupational Therapist creates a report outlining the therapy goals and strategies. To get started, there will be joint sessions with your OT, the therapy assistant, and your child. These first sessions focus on building rapport and setting everyone up for success and are billed at your OT’s standard rate. After this, ongoing AHA sessions commence, providing your child with more opportunities to practise their skills and continue progressing. If further joint sessions are needed along the way, these will be billed at both providers’ rates.

Staying connected with your OT

You don’t lose access to your OT – they remain actively involved every step of the way. Your OT designs the initial plan, stays in regular contact with the therapy assistant, and checks in with you to review progress and adjust goals as needed. They are also available for parent meetings, updates, and guidance, ensuring therapy stays on track and continues to support your child’s growth over time.

Supervision & team support

Our therapy assistants aren’t working alone. They’re part of our professional team, attending supervisions, team meetings, and professional development. Your OT oversees their work, reviewing progress and refining strategies so your child gets the best of both worlds: extra practice plus expert clinical oversight.

Ready to get started?

Let’s chat about whether an AHA program is the right fit for your family. Together, we’ll help your child or teen grow in skills, independence, and confidence.