Programs

SHINE a division of the Andrew Dean Fildes Foundation aims to assist people in overcoming Language- Learning Disabilities by offering the following activities.

• To provide Screening Programs for young children to ensure that they have adequate hearing, vision, speech, language, and literacy skills to ensure they can develop normally and learn.
• To provide comprehensive assessments of speech, language, and literacy skills to provide a proper diagnosis, seek funding for support, and to assist in establishing appropriate teaching and therapy treatment goals.
• To provide resources / materials and specialist programs (based on proper assessment) that can be used by parents / teachers / teacher assistants to improve the speech, language, and / or literacy skills of the child with a Language-Learning Disability.
• When appropriate, to provide intensive multidisciplinary treatment programs for children with Language-Learning Disabilities.
• To provide educational programs for teachers, teacher assistants, and professionals on the nature, cause, consequences, and treatments for Language-Learning Disabilities.
• To provide information programs for parents and young people with Language-Learning Disabilities to assist them in understanding the nature, cause, and treatment options for people with Language-Learning Disabilities.
• To assist parents to establish support groups in their local community for parents and children with Language-Learning Disabilities.

Andrew receives requests from rural regions, communities, schools, and individual families. He then explores with the local community, professionals, local universities and schools on how to best meet the needs in a particular area. Andrew, through his Foundation, then facilitates a plan and often provides the funding to develop a model program. The focus of his programs is to show local groups how they can get things done by working together. His programs are often used as “best practice models” for quality service delivery that is cost effective and locally achieved.

Out comes of our work - the past 15 years

Transforming the lives of Children with Language- Learning Disabilities.

• Provided over $20 million of therapy and assessment services to the Australian community.
• Over 7,000 children with Language-Learning Disabilities have benefited from the Screening Programs, In-depth Assessments, Specialised Education Programs, and Intensive Multidisciplinary Treatment Programs.

Education professionals & supporting parents.

• More than 10,000 families benefited from the intensive Programs, Workshops and Parent Support Groups. As well as teachers and teacher aides who have benefited from the Professional Development workshops held on Language-Learning Disabilities.
• Over 600 University students who have assisted in the various programs have benefited from their experience. These students often gain valuable clinical and practical experience that may help them after they graduate.