About Us
In order to respond, one must understand.
Communication is multifaceted. Communication disorders are often detected when it’s too late when the child has made it into the juvenile justice system.
The Little Bugs Foundation vision is the early detection and intervention for children with speech and language disorders in socio-economic disadvantaged communities.
What is the Little Bugs Foundation?
The Little Bugs Foundation is a registered and approved charity managed by people with a passion to make a difference and who have existing experience in allied health. Its vision is the early detection and intervention for children with speech and language disorders in socio-economic disadvantaged communities.
Our mission is simple ‘Detecting Speech and Language delays in preschoolers’.
Why was it started?
We could see a need that wasn't being met. Over 70% of children who end up in the juvenile justice system are diagnosed with a speech and language disorder.
Government and related institutions are making progress but too much effort and resources are being taken up for people who have qualified for the NDIS. For those that have not and cannot afford private therapy there are not many options.
How can we nominate a childcare centre or kinder to provide the screenings?
Call 0417 026 990 or click here to complete the form.
How does it achieve this?
We use Speech Pathologists to manage the program and supervise the screenings as well as provide therapy as required. Our first step is to provide screenings for those families who cannot afford it, if we detect a speech or language disorder we make a recommendation for therapy. If the Little Bugs foundation does not have the capacity to provide the therapy, we will still make a recommendation to other providers.
Do you charge for your services?
We do not charge for screening services.
How are you funded?
The Little Bugs Foundation needs donations to keep it going. All donations are used to pay for speech pathologists and any direct related costs such as insurances and purchasing test forms for the screenings. Currently all the administration costs are being supplied and funded by private companies.
We really appreciate your donation, please click the button below to donate.
Meet the team
Dr. Ren
Ren has completed his doctorate in 2022 investigating health care professionals and online rating websites. He has completed an MBA at the Melbourne Business School and has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and various roles in organisations such as Telstra and Microsoft. To view Ren’s research click here, to contact Ren email ren@littlebugs.org.au.
Maria
Maria is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She trained at La Trobe University in Melbourne, and has been a practicing clinician for many years. She has worked in Paediatrics in a number of settings as a Speech Pathologist, trainer and consultant. She has worked in Early Intervention organisations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and at The Royal Children's Hospital in Mental Health and the hospital’s Communication Clinics. Maria has extensive experience in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).
Leo
Leo has been practicing as an accountant for over 30 years. He founded Vargiu Accountants in 1991 and has remained the Principal and overseen the firm’s steady growth since then.
