Autism Support
Contact us on Northcott's Autism Support Line: 1800 004 957 or autism@northcott.com.au
Northcott Autism Early Intervention Service offers services to any family or individual with an Autism Spectrum (ASD) Disorder who decides to purchase these privately or through the use of the ‘Helping Children with Autism’ package.
The Commonwealth government’s ‘Helping Children with Autism’ package supports young children who have a diagnosis of an ASD. All eligible children up to the age of six years have access to the early intervention funding regardless of whether or not they have commenced school. From the child’s sixth birthday until they turn seven years of age special consideration may be given, as determined by an Autism Advisor on a case-by-case basis. Through this package each family can access up to $12,000 in early intervention support across two years, with an additional $2000 for families in rural or remote areas.
Northcott is an approved provider on the ‘Early Intervention Service Provider Panel’, for children with autism and their families.
For further information please call the Helping Children with Autism Inquiry Line on 1800 289 177
Northcott offers a range of early intervention services across NSW for clients with Autism. These include the following:
Speech Therapy
Northcott speech pathologists work with children and their families to promote the child’s ability to communicate their needs and wants, and to interact socially with others. The Speech Pathologist also works to develop a child’s understanding of language, such as following instructions or simple conversations and developing their concept knowledge. In conjunction with the Occupational Therapist, a Speech Pathologist can also help your child with understanding change in their environment and daily routine and reducing the anxiety and frustrations that this can cause. All Northcott’s Early Intervention speech pathologists are trained in the use of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and other visual strategies that can help your child with their communication needs.
Occupational Therapy
The Northcott Occupational Therapist works with the child and their family to promote the child’s ability to independently participate in everyday activities. The Occupational Therapist has the capacity to work on sensory integration strategies, play skills to foster learning, play skills to promote integration with peers. In conjunction with the Speech Pathologist, the Occupational Therapist can also work with the child and family to develop adaptive techniques and strategies to assist the child function within their environments and cope with change to their daily routines.
P.L.A.Y. Project
The intervention, based on the Floortime approach, utilises techniques designed to help children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) resolve the core deficits in social skills, communication and stereotyped or repetitive behaviours. The P.L.A.Y. Project enables parents to meet the 20 hours recommended weekly intensive intervention for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Trained consultants teach parents techniques that are effective, fun and useful in day-to-day interactions with their child with autism. As the visits are in the family home the consultant see the child in an environment that is comfortable for the child and the parents do not have to travel with their child to an unfamiliar setting.
Trained home consultants provide this intervention through 10 home visits a year and are available for telephone support between these visits. These focus on supporting children with ASD to build emotional connections and engage in meaningful relationships with their family and others. It includes parent training useful in day to day interactions, which can be incorporated into daily routines. Parents will then be able to provide the ‘intensive’ support to children with ASD through their play interactions.
Preparation for School Groups
The groups are facilitated by an Early Educator, Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist. The program runs for 15-20 sessions in the terms leading up to the children starting school. The length of the program depends on the progress and needs of the children attending the group. The curriculum consists of a number of developmental areas including social skills, language cognition and fine motor skills. The sessions are structures by the Early Educator and are adapted to suit the group with input from the Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist.
Computer Assistive Technology Services (CATS)
CATS provide support regarding assistive technology options for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD and their families. CATS is staffed by Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists with a high level of expertise in Assistive Technology and Early Intervention. Assistive Technology can assist children with ASD in: communicating with others through low-tech and high-tech communication aides; accessing software programs that will facilitate their learning or assist with the child’s understanding of change in their daily routine or environments; independently participating in preschool activities through the use of handwriting alternatives.
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
The Positive Parenting Program is an evidence based parenting and family support program which is preventative in orientation. The international award winning Triple P system has been developed in response to the many unmet needs and unanswered questions from parents and practitioners, worldwide. Triple P is a system of easy to implement, proven parenting solutions that helps solve current parenting problems and prevents future problems before they arise.
Triple P is flexible, so you can do as little or as much as you want. You decide what you need and then pick and choose what suits you.
The program aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents, which therefore contributes to preventing behavioural and emotional developmental problems in children.
Northcott Intensive Family Support
A short term therapeutic intervention aimed at families who are experiencing high levels of stress. Working from a Strengths Based perspective Family Caseworkers support families to identify and achieve family goals. Through out of hours telephone support and flexible home visiting times Family Caseworkers can provide case management support, counselling and practical assistance as well as developing behavioural strategies, and building informal and formal supports for a family.
For more information on fees for the above autism services click here
