We achieved Public Benevolent Institution status 11/11/15. This means that all donations are tax deductible. The group was formed by Dr Kim Pedlow and his wife Annie, who recognised that there were gaps in the services and support available for children with specific learning and behavioural difficulties. After multiple discussions with health and educational professionals it became apparent that many cases of neurodevelopmental disorder were not being picked up or having much delayed pickup.

Neurodevelopmental disorders consist of autism, ADHD, learning disorder (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia). These conditions are often inherited, cluster together and overlap. If not addressed they frequently are associated with learning and behavioural problems.

Telethon Kids Institute estimates 89% of children in Banksia juvenile detention centre in Perth have neurodevelopmental disorder.

Anecdotal reports from the adult Greenough prison outside Geraldton guesstimates 50 – 75% have neurodevelopmental disorder.

These conditions are treatable with either therapy, medication or both. Early diagnosis is essential.

We are pleased to report that we now have timely access to autism and psychometric assessments. This is courtesy of our rekindled relationship with Professor Stephen Houghton’s Department of Educational Psychology at UWA.

He recommended Dr Anne Angelkovska (PhD assessment and management neurodevelopmental disorder). She has been regularly visiting Geraldton since February 2019.  Also uses telehealth and online tools.

Dr Angelkovska has been visiting Geraldton since February 2019. She lives in Perth and regularly does telehealth and uses online tools. Visits Geraldton every six weeks for one week.

As of January 2023

• 340 new cases seen, 12% aboriginal.
• 219 psychometric assessments.
• 120 new autism cases. many of these had been in the health and education system for many years with undiagnosed autism being the underlying problem of multiple behavioural and learning difficulties.
• The total expenditure for the Abrolhos group from establishment to the present is $86,867.45.

Dr Angelkovska measures IQ, learning strengths and weaknesses, specifically dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, autism, ADHD.

This is achieving timely and valuable diagnosis of various learning difficulties. This enables targeted assistance at school, often with increased funding from the education department. Many schools in Geraldton are now benefiting from these new arrangements. Cases of autism and global intellectual disability often receive NDIS funding.

Our inaugural conference ‘Teach them how to catch fish’ was held at WACRH in Geraldton 06-07/05/2021. 43 attended, mostly health and educational professionals. Presentations were mainly face-to-face with 4 being Zoom.