Autism
Finding the right intervention.
EarlyEd can provide a range of services that can help both children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or children about whom there may be concerns regarding the Autism Spectrum.
Often children with Autism can also have learning difficulties or an intellectual disability. It is important to consider this, when deciding on an early intervention service. EarlyEd is able to offer a variety of supports so that intervention suits your child’s specific needs.
All EarlyEd services are:
- Evidence based best practice
- Individualised
- Family centered
- Collaborative and person centered for goal setting and planning.
Services can include individual sessions, playgroups, targeted groups or coaching and training at home, in the community or at your centre.
What is Autism?
“Every person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is different to another and has their own way of seeing the world, which makes them interesting and unique. When someone has ASD, it means that their brains are wired differently to other people. However, the symptoms of ASD vary enormously from person to person.” – Autism QLD
ASD affects many areas of a child’s life and how they cope in everyday situations. Diagnosis should only be conducted by a developmental paediatrician, a specialist or psychologist who is experienced with ASD.
Children affected by ASD usually display communication, social interaction, behaviour and sensory difficulties. Ongoing early intervention together with behaviour supports can help:
- develop their skills
- with their readiness to learn
- interactions
- engagement
- communication and
- quality of life.
Autism Services at EarlyEd
Evidence Based
EarlyEd uses evidence based approaches, focused on the functional development of social and communication skills, and emotional regulation.
Families are provided with intervention strategies that support their child to be ready to learn and to join in.
EarlyEd’s staff including special educators, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, behaviour specialists are trained in specific autism transdisciplinary approaches.
Benefits
At EarlyEd all families receive
- collaborative person-centered planning and goal setting (Individual Family Service Plan)
- family centered, inclusive service delivery.
Collaborative planning provides a whole view of the child that can address any sensory, behavioural, interactional, social and communication issues.
Collaborative planning also ensures consistency across all settings and with the child’s significant personal relationships such as:
- grandparents
- extended family
- early childhood centre staff
- school staff and peers
- out of school activities staff
- leisure and recreation staff
New skills will:
- reduce challenging behaviours
- reduce stress on families
- help the child feel safe and comfortable
- create a sense of belonging in their community.
Real Life Situations
Early intervention creates opportunities for children to learn in real and meaningful situations. These can be developed through play based activities or during routines times such as interacting with others, playing, drinking and toileting.
In partnership with families, intervention staff can plan and provide explanation and information on intervention. EarlyEd staff coach and model strategies with families, whilst trialling and practicing new strategies. Together, we reflect on outcomes and adjust strategies and resources
This approach empowers parents/carers to:
- feel confident carrying out the strategies
- be skilled in their interactions
- know how to change strategies to make them more effective
- reflect, analyse and evaluate outcomes and strategies
- make informed decisions
A Variety of Methods
EarlyEd staff use individualised interventions based on:
- Hanen® programs and principles
- positive behaviour support
- augmentative communication
- sensory management
- social skills and inclusion support
- developmental and motor support
- self help skills to help children be active participants in family and community life
- early childhood approaches such as learning through play and following the child’s lead
EarlyEd staff have expertise and training in the use of:
- Picture Exchange Communication system
- Complex augmentative communication systems
- More Than Words® by Hanen®
- SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) approach to feeding program
- Sensory processing management
- Stepping Stones Triple P
- Positive Behaviour Support and
- Are You Ready Toilet Training.
EarlyEd Can Help
If you are worried about your child, speak to someone who could help. At EarlyEd, we encourage you to trust your own feelings. You are the parent/carer, and you know your child best! Children learn the most from those who are closest to them.
- EarlyEd (9927 2323)
- Early Childhood Intervention Infoline (1300 656 865)
- Your GP (Doctor)
- Your local Early Childhood Nurse
Early intervention works best when it is early. If you are worried about your baby’s development or if their birth history means they might be at risk of being delayed – contact EarlyEd as soon as possible.
Online Autism Resources
Raising Children Network have produced an app for Android and iOS devices to assist families of children with autism. See more on the app here.
Helpful Websites:
There are many websites available to learn more about ASD. It can be quite overwhelming and confusing, so here are a few that we recommend: