The Child Development Institute

What The Child Development Institute does

The Child Development Institute (CDI) is a multidisciplinary paediatric allied health provider operating from a purpose-built facility in Northmead, Western Sydney (New South Wales, Australia). Founded in 2018 by Keith and Narelle Hills following their son's autism diagnosis, CDI delivers evidence-based early intervention services to children aged 1-6 with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, Fragile X, Down Syndrome, and related learning impairments, with some services extending to school-aged children. The service portfolio spans speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, diagnostic assessments (ADOS-2, ADI-R), feeding therapy (SOS Approach), an Early Childhood Social Therapy Group, an ESDM-in-Mainstream outreach program delivered in childcare and preschool settings, and a School Readiness program. CDI's central differentiator is its integrated, multidisciplinary delivery coordinated through a dedicated Key Worker model, with families able to observe sessions via CCTV in clinic rooms.

The therapeutic framework is anchored on the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a play-based early intervention approach targeting communication, play, personal independence, emotional regulation, and behavioural skills. Each family is assigned a single Key Worker who coordinates across disciplines, tracks progress against NDIS goals, and serves as the sole point of contact. Group programs operate at a 2-3 therapist to 5 children ratio, with typical enrolled children attending 6-7 hours per week across two days. The organisation uses gold-standard diagnostic instruments and structured assessment/reporting workflows aligned to NDIS plan goals.

CDI operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market, acquiring families through organic search, educational content (blog, video), social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and referrals from paediatricians, GPs, and educational professionals. Revenue is generated from four streams: NDIS-funded services (the dominant channel, with no out-of-pocket cost to participants operating within the NDIS price guide), Medicare rebates (Chronic Disease Management, Helping Children with Autism, Better Access to Mental Health Care plans), private health insurance rebates, and private/out-of-pocket payments. CDI is founder-owned with no disclosed external private equity or venture capital investment; it is mid-way through a corporatisation process initiated in July 2024 (targeted completion 1 July 2025) to strengthen NDIS compliance and governance, including the appointment of Brooke Lockett as General Manager. CDI previously operated a second site at Beacon Hill (Northern Beaches), which is now closed, consolidating operations to Northmead.

Name

The Child Development Institute

Legal name

Child Development Institute

Website

https://cdinstitute.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Child Development Institute is a Western Sydney-based multidisciplinary allied health provider delivering evidence-based early intervention—speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, and ESDM therapy—for children aged 1-6 with autism and developmental delays, primarily funded through the NDIS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Therapy Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Therapy (ABA/ESDM/Positive Behavior Support) (EDACAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG)

Keywords

• Paediatric allied health
• Early intervention therapy
• Autism therapy services
• Speech language pathology
• Occupational therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Northmead

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. NDIS Funded Services: Services funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). CDI supports both self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. For NDIS-funded services, there are no out-of-pocket expenses as CDI operates within the NDIS price guide.
2. Medicare Rebates: Medicare health care plans including: Allied Health Services under Chronic Disease Management plans, Helping Children with Autism program, and Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan. Rebates available with a GP referral.
3. Private Health Insurance: Private Health Insurance rebates may be available depending on the policy. Rebates typically cover speech therapy and psychological services.
4. Private/Out-of-Pocket Funding: Families may choose to privately fund services if they do not have NDIS funding. Out-of-pocket expenses apply when families want to commence therapy without NDIS coverage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Child Development Institute (CDI) is a multidisciplinary paediatric allied health centre delivering integrated early intervention and therapy services for children aged 1-6 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delays. Its core offering is built on the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), combining Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Feeding Therapy, Diagnostic Assessments, and School Readiness programs under a coordinated Key Worker model at its purpose-built Northmead (Western Sydney) clinic.

Product overview

The Child Development Institute is a multidisciplinary therapeutic centre offering a unified portfolio of allied health services for children with autism and developmental delays. The core offering centres on the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) as an integrated therapeutic framework, with services spanning Speech & Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology Services, Early Intervention Clinics, Early Childhood Social Therapy Group, ESDM in Mainstream Program, School Readiness Program, Feeding Therapy (SOS Approach), and Diagnostic Services. All programs are coordinated through a Key Worker model with multi-disciplinary team collaboration, and families can access NDIS support services to navigate funding. The centre operates from purpose-built facilities in Northmead, Western Sydney.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Speech & Language Pathology Paediatric speech pathology service addressing speech sound delays, language disorders, social communication challenges, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs for children of all ages, including those with autism and developmental delays.
• Occupational Therapy Paediatric occupational therapy focusing on fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, cognition, and self-care activities for children with developmental needs.
• Psychology Services Comprehensive psychological services for children, adolescents, families, and adults, including therapy (CBT, ACT, DBT) and assessments for autism, ADHD, and intellectual/cognitive testing.
• Early Intervention Clinics Multi-disciplinary early childhood intervention clinics providing speech pathology, occupational therapy, and behavioural therapy integrated through the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) approach, individualised to child and family goals.
• Early Childhood Social Therapy Group Group-based early intervention program running 9am-12pm with 2-3 therapists supporting up to 5 children, focusing on social skills, peer relationships, and developmental goals in a natural peer setting.
• ESDM in Mainstream Program Early Start Denver Model therapy delivered in mainstream childcare and preschool settings, providing specialist training and coaching for educators specific to each child's needs, delivered as a 10-11 week program aligned with school terms.
• School Readiness Program Program led by Early Childhood Teachers and Occupational Therapists trained in ESDM, designed to prepare children with developmental delays for mainstream or supported school settings with improved social skills and confidence.
• Feeding Therapy Program Evidence-based SOS Approach to Feeding program addressing feeding challenges through exploratory play, oral motor skill development, and mealtime skills training for children with food aversions and texture sensitivities.
• Diagnostic Services Comprehensive diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and intellectual/cognitive testing using gold-standard tools including ADOS-2 and ADI-R to provide clarity on neurodivergence and learning differences.
• NDIS Support Services Individualised assistance helping parents apply for NDIS plans, prepare documentation, and access preliminary ESDM assessments for NDIS planning meetings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children develop functional skills in communication, play, social interaction, and personal independence through ESDM intervention
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Footprints AdvocacyminorOthersFootprints Advocacy was originally established as a department within the Child Development Institute but transitioned into an independent entity several years ago. Both organisations maintain a professional relationship and occasionally collaborate. The Privacy Policy discloses shared directors and investors across both entities, with active steps being taken to address potential conflicts of interest through a corporatisation process targeting completion by July 1, 2025.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect): Australia's largest autism-specific service provider delivering multidisciplinary early intervention, school-age programs, and diagnostics across multiple states. Directly comparable to CDI on mission, target population (autistic children and families), and therapy modalities, but at materially greater scale and geographic reach.
• Lizard Centre: Australian provider of ABA, speech pathology, occupational therapy and early intervention for children with autism and developmental delays. Closely comparable to CDI on services, customer segment, and NDIS funding model, with a stronger ABA framing versus CDI's ESDM emphasis.
• AEIOU Foundation: Queensland-based not-for-profit delivering centre-based early intervention for children with autism using ESDM-aligned approaches. Comparable to CDI on therapeutic methodology (ESDM-style), age range, and NDIS-funded model, though structured as a non-profit with multiple centres.
• Noah's Ark: Not-for-profit early childhood intervention provider supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities across NSW, including therapy, key-worker models and NDIS support. Highly comparable to CDI on service portfolio and target population within the same NSW market.
• Royal Far West: Sydney-based paediatric allied health organisation providing speech, OT, psychology, and developmental assessment services to country and metro children. Comparable on multidisciplinary paediatric services and diagnostic assessments (including autism), with a rural outreach angle CDI does not currently offer.

Broad incumbents

• Cerebral Palsy Alliance: Major Australian disability services provider offering allied health, early intervention, diagnostics and accommodation across NSW and beyond. Comparable on multidisciplinary paediatric therapy and NDIS funding, but broader scope (CP, disability, research) and not autism-specialised like CDI.
• Northcott: Large NSW and national disability services provider delivering therapy, accommodation, and NDIS plan management. Comparable on paediatric allied health delivery and NDIS customer base, but operates as a diversified incumbent rather than an autism-focused specialist.
• Kairros: Australian allied health and employment services provider delivering paediatric therapy, disability employment, and NDIS support across multiple states. Comparable on NDIS-funded paediatric allied health delivery, though more diversified into adult and employment services.

Emerging players

• CliniKids (Telethon Kids Institute): Research-driven clinical service in Western Australia delivering early intervention for children with neurodevelopmental conditions including autism, often referencing ESDM. Comparable on clinical methodology and target population, but WA-focused and tied to an academic medical research institute.

Regional players

• Possibility Pathways / Therapy Pro Group providers: Network of NDIS-registered allied health clinics across Australia providing paediatric speech, OT and psychology including autism early intervention. Comparable on service mix and NDIS funding model, but distributed across multiple states and not concentrated in Western Sydney like CDI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/childDevelopmentInstituteSydney
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/child-development-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdi_early_intervention

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Child Development Institute