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Early Intervention Services
Annie´s Centre offers a family-centred, multi-disciplinary approach to early intervention for children with disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. We draw on a number of evidence-based treatment models, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), the Early Start Denver Model, It Takes Two to Talk® and More Than Words® from the Hanen Centre, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communications-Handicapped Children (TEACCH). By selecting strategies and principles from several evidence-based programs, we are able to structure an intervention that meets the unique needs of each individual.
Treatment Models
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What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?
ABA is a set of principles and techniques for teaching skills and modifying behaviour. It involves breaking down a skill into small, teachable steps that can be mastered one at a time. At its core, it is based on the idea that what happens before and after a given behaviour determines how likely it is that the behaviour will occur again. If a particular behaviour is followed by something positive and rewarding (praise, a treat, the chance to play with a favourite toy), a child is more likely to repeat the behaviour in the future. On the other hand, if the behaviour is followed by something negative (toys being packed away, nobody paying attention), a child will learn that the behaviour is not a good way of relating to the world around them, and will be less likely to engage in the behaviour again. Using these principles, key skills (e.g. responding to instructions, making eye contact, dressing) can be promoted, and harmful or maladaptive behaviours (e.g. tantrums, obsessive routines) can be reduced. ABA is most widely known as a treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders, but it is also an effective therapy for behavioural and learning difficulties associated with Fragile X Syndrome and Down Syndrome.
What is the Early Start Denver Model?
The Early Start Denver Model is a relationship-based approach to early intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It has a strong focus on the development of social and communication skills, and emphasises the role of parents as the primary teachers in a child´s life. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders miss out on many opportunities to learn from the people close to them, because these disorders affect their ability to connect with others. By focusing on relationship-building and the use of everyday activities as opportunities to teach new skills (e.g. imitation, turn-taking, asking questions) The Early Start Denver Model aims to minimise this loss.
What is It Takes Two to Talk®? What is More Than Words®?
These programs originate from the Hanen Centre in Canada, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping parents take on a primary role in their child´s language development. The programs focus on teaching parents practical strategies for aiding children in the development of language skills during everyday activties. It Takes Two to Talk® is designed for parents of children aged five years and under who have been diagnosed as having a language delay, which is frequently an associated difficulty for children with disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. More Than Words® is specifically designed for parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
What is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?
PECS is a non-verbal communication system widely used for both adults and children with a disability. The goal of the program is to promote an understanding of the nature of communication as an exchange between two people. Initially, a child learns to make requests by exchanging a picture of something they want for the item itself. Later stages teach expanded communication skills such as making comments and asking questions.
What is Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communications-Handicapped Children (TEACCH)?
The goal of the TEACCH model is to develop skills by using the strengths that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders already possess, such as dealing with visual information. An example of this approach is the use of visual schedules. These sequences of pictures that show the order in which things happen can be used to teach self-care skills like dressing, washing, and brushing teeth. They can also help children better understand daily routines. By creating a structured environment and establishing clear schedules, TEACCH aims to help children on the Autism spectrum achieve more independence in their everyday life, both at home and at pre-school or primary school.
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Accessing our services
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Intake form
The first step is to contact us and make an appointment for an initial consultation. We will then send you an intake form via post or email, for you to complete and return to us before you come to the centre for your first consultation. The intake form enables us to gather important information about you and your child prior to your appointment, so that we can make the best possible use of the time available during the first consultation to discuss your needs and concerns.
Initial consultation
You and your child will meet with our Speech Pathologist and one of our Senior Behaviour Therapists or Psychologists to review your child´s developmental history and to discuss your goals. Our team members will spend some time observing and interacting with your child to gain insight into their existing strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the consultation, we will put together a proposed therapy schedule with you, based on your needs and on activities your child may already be involved in.
Parent program
At Annie´s Centre, we believe in a family-centred approach to therapy. We want parents to be closely involved with their child´s program, and to become the primary teachers and therapists in their child´s life. A core component of our Early Intervention Service is a parent program consisting of ten, one-hour modules, conducted by our Psychologists, Senior Behaviour Therapists, and Speech Pathologist. The aim of this program is to equip you with the essential skills needed to assist in your child´s development. The content of the program will depend on your child´s diagnosis, but topics covered may include:
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Teaching new skills through structured play (e.g. eye contact, requesting, turn-taking)
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Making your home a learning-rich environment (e.g. use of daily routines, visual schedules)
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Strategies to promote communication and language development (e.g. what kind of language to use with your child, what motivates them to communicate)
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Managing challenging behaviours (e.g. tantrums, feeding issues, anxiety surrounding routines)
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Teaching your child daily living and self-help skills (e.g. dressing, washing hands, brushing teeth)
Depending on your needs, these modules can be taken as a ten week course, or we can provide a more intensive program of twice-weekly sessions.
Intensive child program
Once you have started the parent program, one of our Senior Behaviour Therapists will design and co-ordinate an individualised intervention program for your child, based on information and observations gathered during your initial consultation. Specific skills and behaviours will be chosen as targets for therapy. Depending on your child´s age and individual strengths, these could include:
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Language skills, for example making requests and asking/answering questions
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Social skills like greetings, eye contact, and turn-taking
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Responding to their name
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Oppositional behaviour, for example tantrums
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Issues around eating, sleeping, and toileting
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Pre-academic skills, for example recognition of shapes, numbers, and letters
The program will be implemented by the Senior Therapist and one or more Junior Behaviour Therapists.
Senior Therapy
Senior Therapy sessions are held at our centre on a weekly basis. These sessions are designed to be fun and rewarding for your child, but also structured and challenging. Skills are taught through a variety of interactions, including toy play, art and craft activities, and songs, as well as tasks incorporating flashcard-style visuals designed to teach pre-academic and other skills. During these sessions, the Senior Therapist will run through the activities in your child´s program, monitor their progress, and make any necessary changes. These sessions also allow the Senior Therapist to look over the notes and data taken during Junior Therapy sessions, and provide feedback to the other therapists working with your child.
Junior Therapy
Junior Behaviour Therapists conduct home-based sessions three to four times per week. They can also work with your child at daycare or pre-school if required. At Annie´s Centre, parents are not required to find and hire their own Junior Therapists. We maintain a roster of therapists, and your program co-ordinator will arrange for one or more to join the program as required. Our Junior Therapists are typically university undergraduates studying psychology or another discipline related to child health and development. They are trained at our centre, giving them the practical experience necessary to work with children with a range of developmental disabilities.
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Case conferences
Once the program is up and running, regular meetings with parents are held at the centre to evaluate progress, discuss ongoing goals for therapy, and to ensure consistent implementation of the program. These case conferences also provide you with an opportunity to discuss any new behaviours or issues with your program co-ordinator and to provide valuable feedback on how your child is developing outside of regular therapy sessions.
Ongoing Speech Pathology and Psychology services
Our Speech Pathologist is available to help you build on the strategies introduced in the Parent Program through regular sessions at the centre, and can also provide a range of services including individual communication and language therapy, standardised assessments, working with the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), help with feeding issues, and literacy support. We also provide a variety of Psychology services, including diagnostic assessments, family counselling, social skills groups, anxiety support and individual therapy.
Funding options
The Commonwealth Government provides funding to families for early intervention through FaCHSIA (The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) under the Better Start for Children with Disability and Helping Children with Autism initiatives.
Medicare rebates are available for Psychology and Speech Pathology services. Your child must have a treatment and management plan from a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist in order to claim rebates for eligible services.
You can find out more about funding options here.
You can also call Autism Spectrum Australia on 1300 978 611 to speak to an Autism Advisor, or the Better Start Helpline on 1800 989 530.
Want to find out more?
Contact us on 9314 5793, or send an email to info@anniescentre.com and ask for an Early Intervention Information Pack.
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