Helping Children with Autism Package (HCWA)

Transcription

1 Helping Children with Autism Package (HCWA) Autism Advisor Program (AAP) Early Days Workshops PlayConnect Playgroups Raising Children Network Medicare Items Positive Partnerships Workshops $ You can apply for up to $12,000 funding to spend on approved therapy programs For children under 6 years with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Workshops for parents/carers to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) These are free Playgroups for children (0-6 years) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their parents/carers These are free A website with information about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), services, supports and types of therapies Medicare has 4 options for helping parents/carers to get money back for private therapy programs for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Face to face and online workshops and learning modules for parents/carers who have a school aged child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Phone autismadvisor@autism spectrum.org.au You can speak to an Autism Advisor to get information, answer questions and to help you apply for the funding rg.au/content/autismadvisor-program-nsw Go to: Please contact Early Days to register your interest for a workshop. (02) You can find out more information about the workshops at au/earlydaysworkshops Phone admin@playgroupnsw. com.au A playgroup may be running in your area. If not, when there are enough families registered one may be organised a.com.au/nsw Go to: t.au/autism Follow the links to: Learning about autism Service pathfinder Guide to therapies Parent forum Phone autismadvisor@autism spectrum.org.au To ask an Autism Advisor for a Medicare Information Factsheet Phone Find out all about workshops and information sessions to help you to work closely with your child s school ps.com.au For a language interpreter call Developed by The Picture Communication Symbols by Mayer-Johnson LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Used with permission. Boardmaker is a trademark of Mayer-Johnson L Programs are funded by Dept of Social Services (DSS), Dept of Health & Aging (DoHA) and the Dept Education, Training & Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

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3 Last Updated: February 2014 Autism Advisor Program (AAP) $ Autism Advisor South Western Program Sydney (NSW) NSW Autism Advisor Program List of approved organisations for spending Autism Advisor funding Organisation contact details (include consortium members) ABA Link ABA Link & Respite Services Address: Suite 5, Level 1, Hampden Road, Artarmon Phone: Web: Kellie Knapton Psychologist: Early Intervention Services Address: 3 Flowerdale Road Liverpool Phone: [email protected] Website: Momentum Learning Services Address: Alexandria Phone: [email protected] Web: Approach Programs Area coverage Applied Behavioural Analysis ABA Approach ABA Approach Functional ABA Program Free initial consult with families Behaviour consultancy and assessment to determine goals for individual treatment plan Therapist and Parent training on ABA Supply of senior and junior ABA therapist when possible Kellie Knapton Psychologist: Early Intervention Services: Autism spectrum symptom severity tracking Social skills training, anger and anxiety management, improve memory, following instructions, understanding and expressing emotions, self-regulation for attention and task completion. Home based intensive ABA programs Positive behaviour support for challenging behaviours Tailored programs to suit highest priority needs School Support ABA Individualised ABA programs Behaviour management plans School consultation services Parent training SPOT (Specialised, Prioritised Occasional Treatment) Toilet training Difficult mealtimes Sleep issues Peer interaction/social skills Sydney-wide please contact to discuss your location Liverpool Statewide

4 AMR Therapy Centre Gift of Speech- Thi Minh Nguyet Nguyen Phone: Address: 60a Smart St, Fairfield Autism Assist Dorothy Debono Borg Phone: or Liverpool Natalina Diwakar Address: 3 Flowerdale Rd, Liverpool Phone: [email protected] Vietnamese and English speaking Speech Pathologist Low Tech communication aids Assessment and individualised program setting DIR Floortime Home based/ School based (including Pre-Schools and Child Care Centres) therapy services Comprehensive Assessment which includes a detailed report Individualised therapy sessions Parent training and support Centre based only Fairfield LGA Fairfield LGA South West Sydney Autism Connections Autism Connections Elizabeth Ponce Barboza Location: Liverpool and Campbelltown Phone: Web: RDI RDI Program Parent training that teaches parents how to remediate the parent / child relationship so that their child can develop as best as they can. Consultant works with child to model for the parents how they can be effective guides in helping their child apply their knowledge in the real world Parent workshops ½ day practical workshops that gives strategies on how to understand and manage their child s difficult behaviours Liverpool and Campbelltown Aspire Early Intervention Aspire Early Intervention Address: Suite 107, 3 The Crescent, Wentworth Point, NSW 2127 Phone: Web: [email protected] m Multidisciplinary EIBI (Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention) / Speech / Psychological Services ~ Home or Centre based Multidisciplinary team including Psychologists, Speech Therapists, Early Childhood Educators, and Play Therapists. Behaviour Management Home based therapy services Literacy Programs Workshops (visual schedules, toilet training, behaviour management) Play Therapy Statewide

5 Bankstown Community Resource Group (BCRG) Bankstown Community Comprehensive Resource Group (BCRG) Address: Level 2, 23 Marion St, Bankstown Phone: Web: Functional Communication Training (Verbal Behaviour) School Visits and Consultation Incidental Consulting Services at home (toilet training, eating/sleeping) Occupational Therapy/ Individual therapy Communication, social skills or fine motor targeted. Family participation is encouraged, with parent support and training during sessions. Centre based, school or preschool available Transition to School programs Multidisciplinary assessment Shaping our surroundings Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist work collaboratively to identify and develop goals and strategies for children. Can target activities in community life or daily living skills Group Interventions Relationship based parent and child therapy group (conducted over 2 terms) Up to 6 families per group Focuses on building positive meaningful relationships with parents, siblings and family members Parents are supported in developing skills to work with their children. Hanen More Than Words Bankstown Capable Kids Capable Kids Address: Shop 13a Corner Fifteenth and Edmondson Ave, West Hoxton Phone: Web: Catherine-Ann Crestani Gotcha Talking Address: Level 1, 114 Argyle St, Camden Phone: Web: [email protected] Home or preschool based A written summary and take home activities provided with each session Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Mobile service Social Skills Groups, Feeding intervention, Literacy skills Hanen More Than Words and Talkability Transition to Kindergarten programs Visuals and communication aids area area

6 Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Building Blocks Location: Frenchs Forest Phone: Web: Diagnostic Assessment Service Location: Families have to travel to Frenchs Forest Phone: Web: Multidisciplinary Assessment and information service Making the Connection - Introductory service for families at home - Includes planning, preparation and provision of a written report. - Building the Foundations - A series of fortnightly sessions designed to implement and review the progress of your child s Early Intervention Plan. - Therapy addressing areas such as play skills, communication, social interaction, behaviour, sensory regulation, motor skills, transition to school and key pre-academic skills - Occupational Therapy/ / - Home based or School based (conducted in classroom with playground support as needed) - Transition to School - Transitional support for children going to schools and other educational settings - Parent Training - Hanen More Than Words appropriate for non-verbal and early verbal stages - Hanen Talkability is for children who have higher functioning verbal skills and looks more at pragmatics - Centre Based Program (State funded program admin fee can be FaHCSIA funding) - Child and Parent components Comprehensive Assessment for Intervention/Transition Planning A comprehensive evaluation of a child s functioning across multiple domains. The assessment provides specific information about the child in terms of cognitive abilities, social skills, communication and behaviour, in order to guide and generate an individualized intervention and/or transition plan. Metro Sydney Frenchs Forest Education Outreach Location: Across NSW dependent on availability Phone: Web: School consultation School Based Educational Outreach - Intensive consultation including observations and report of recommendations - Professional development for staff - Review consultation Statewide

7 Catholic Care Catholic Care Address: 625 Cabramatta Road, Cabramatta Phone: Transdisciplinary model Centre/home/preschool/childcare centre sessions Assessment, written recommendation and on-going treatment plan Social and communication skills therapy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, language and speech pathology Fortnightly sessions of 30, 45 or 60 minute duration Liverpool Bankstown Occupational therapy Individual sessions including assessment and therapy plans Home/ school/ preschool/ childcare based sessions Sensory profile Self care, social skills, pre writing and writing skills Fortnightly sessions of 30, 45 or 60 minute duration Fairstart Address: 1 Pevensey Street, Canley Vale Phone: Play based and family focused therapy Autism Early Intervention Group Maximum 6 children in each group 2 hour group per week during term time only The group is led by an early childhood educator, an occupational therapist and a speech pathologist Children from 3 years to school age assessment Individual therapy at home, early learning centre or family day care Group therapy Hanen More Than Words training program for parents Fairfield Chatabout Speech Therapy Chatabout Speech Therapy Address: Suite 3, Unit 18/ Hume Highway Casula Phone: [email protected] Web: Assessment Centre based/ school/ preschool based therapy Hanen trained Casula Communicate Pty Ltd Communicate Pty Ltd Address: Mobile Service Phone: [email protected] Web: Comprehensive approach Individualised approach Assessment and therapy for language and social skills with a focus on meaningful and functional communication. Home, Pre-school and school based therapy Flexible approach when working with families identifying how the family would like the service structured. Early Start Denver Model trained (ESDM) Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Hanen trained Parent capacity training Mobile Therapy service throughout South West Sydney

8 Community Support Professionals Real Disability Care Address: Campbelltown Phone: Address: suite 118/Level 1, Hyde Parade, Campbelltown Web: Behaviour Support Services Centre based, with home visits and school visits available Parent training Staff/professional development South West Sydney Disability Services Australia Disability Services Australia Address: Queen Street, Campbelltown 400 Chapel Road, Bankstown Phone: Web: Transdisciplinary Services Home based/pre-school/school based Behaviour management Social skills training Model is ABA approach (Applied Behaviour Analysis) Transition to school on an individual or group basis Assessment and support available to help plan goals for a child. Regular weekly appointment not available South West Sydney Jigsaw Autism Services ABC Alan Denes Address: 2/36 Walder Rd, Hammondville Phone: [email protected] Initial Speech and Language Therapy Assessment and report Individual therapy sessions Centre based and home based services Liverpool Koorana Koorana Address: 22 Philip Street, Roselands, Phone: [email protected] Web: Address: Chapel Rd, Bankstown Phone: Family Centred approach and Occupational Therapy Individual therapy sessions Centre based and home based Services Cognitive and developmental assessments Positive behavior support Individual therapy One year home visiting program Children under 4 years of age who are not enrolled in early childhood education Special educators visit the family in their home to support the early learning needs of the child Bankstown

9 Playlinks 12 month small group intervention program staff include a Special Educator, Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist Two days a week Focuses on developing social, emotional and communication skills Parent Training KU Children s Services Camden - Geraldine Vyse & Meredith Oxley Address: 43 Broughton Street, Camden Phone: Glenda Browne Speech Pathology Address: 138 Thunderbolt Drive, Raby Phone: Speech Pathology Speech Pathology Centre based sessions Centre based speech pathology Preschool/ school therapy sometimes available Camden Jan Dunshea Address: 64 John St Camden Phone: [email protected] KU Early Start Denver Model Clinic Liverpool Address: 90 Memorial Avenue Liverpool NSW 2170 Phone: KU Starting Points Address: 14 Waterhouse Place, Airds Phone: Web: [email protected] Early Start Denver Model Multi- Disciplinary Centre-based only Emotional / social skills programs Parental support and education Assessments-developmental, educational, behavioural and with report and recommendations Psychological Consultation Behaviour management Anxiety and anger management Play Therapy Early Start Denver Model Therapist Individual educational/developmental assessment session including program development and report writing Individual one hour therapy sessions over a 10 week period Individual learning program Home visiting program Transition to school support or early childhood support program Step ahead play program 10 week program (2 hours each session) Individual family support program developed for each child Psychologist Behaviour management and assessments Psychologist Parental support and education Assessments developmental and educational Behaviour management Centre or home-based Liverpool

10 Leaps and Bounds Occupational Therapy - Sarah Deeth Address: 6 Station Street, Menangle Phone: Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy sessions in a centre based environment Works closely with other group members Paediatric OT Address: 138 Thunderbolt Drive, Raby Phone: [email protected] Web: erapy.com.au Mater Dei Address: 229 Macquarie Grove, Camden Phone: [email protected] Web: Simone Radman Address: 70 Springmead Dr. Denham Court Phone: Start Write Occupational Therapy Melissa O Grady Address: 22 Hill Street, Camden Phone: Occupational Therapy Multidisciplinary Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Centre based therapy Preschool, school and home visits available School readiness groups Hand writing groups and Occupational Therapy Assessment and report Fortnightly centre based individual sessions Home and preschool cased sessions available if required Therapy Playgroup (funded program through Mater Dei) Birth-2 years Therapist available in the group 90 minute sessions once a month Early Learning Group and Family Group (funded program through Mater Dei) Weekly 2 hour sessions Maximum 9 children Groups based on child s age and stage of development Can be transition to school focused Team Around the Child Meeting Meeting arranged twice a year to discuss child s progress and ongoing support Report and assessment Home, clinic and school-based therapy Occupational Therapy Centre-based, school, pre-school and home based Handwriting Camden

11 Lizard Children s Centre Lizard Children s Centre Address: Level 3, 126 Greville Street, Chatswood Phone: Web: ABA ABA Intensive early intervention programs covering all developmental areas based on the principles of Applied behaviour Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy and Social Skills group programs In-home and in- school or preschool behaviour consultations Training for parents Workshops throughout the year in regard to behaviour management, language development and toilet training Parent support functions are scheduled several times a year Statewide Learning Links Learning Links Address: 1/46B Reservoir Road, Mount Prichard Phone: [email protected] Web: Transdisciplinary Early Starters Program 2 hour per week group program at Mount Pritchard and Milperra Up to 8 children per group and parents stay during the group Includes 1 home visit per term Transport may be available Staffed by a range of therapists and Occupational Therapy Individual centre based, preschool, school or home based sessions Hanen trained therapists Liverpool Bankstown Children s Developmental Clinic Children s Developmental Clinic Address: Shop 6/38 Exchange Parade, Narellan NSW 2567 Phone: [email protected] Multi- Disciplinary Developmental Comprehensive Children s Assessment Multidisciplinary team assessment consisting a speech pathologist, psychologist and occupational therapist. Includes a full report with feedback from all 3 therapists as well as a management plan. Educational Assessments (Multi-Disciplinary team) and Occupational Therapy and Individual assessment including a report and management plan. Individual therapy Group Therapy Social skills group 1 hour session per week held in school term (held within the clinic and the greater community environment) School readiness program (combination of speech pathology and occupational therapy) 1 hour session per week held in the school term Handwriting group for children aged 4-6. Aims to strengthen and develop fine motor skills Feeding Program A program to assist children with feeding/sensory difficulties or fussy eating Toileting program Designed to assist children and their families who require additional needs/support

12 Early Learning Program for children from 6mth to 3 years designed at facilitating early speech and receptive and expressive language skills Intensive Multidisciplinary intervention Individualised multidisciplinary Intervention program. 10 week program with 10 hours/week. Includes psychology, speech pathology and occupational therapy intervention. This program needs to be recommended by the team at CDC Parent Program 10 week program focused of developing positive behaviours Mission Australia Early Childhood Intervention Service (MECIS) Address: 5 Kingsclare Street, Leaumeah Phone: Miller Pre school Address: 88 Shropshire Street, Miller Phone: Rossmore Community Preschool Address: 631A Bringelly Rd, Rossmore Phone: Trans- Disciplinary Multi- Disciplinary Key Worker Program Group program for 8 weeks at Leaumeah or home based session with a key worker Key workers work within a team of therapists to support each child and Occupational Therapy Individual centre, home or preschool based sessions Session range from minutes Hanen trained therapists, Occupational Therapy and Special Education Outreach and Occupational Therapy Rossmore Miller Northcott Northcott Local Address: 3 Chamberlain Street, Campbelltown Phone: Web: Speech Pathology Occupational therapy and Occupational Therapy Assessment to plan program Home based/ Centre based / Pre School/School based Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Social Stories, Hanen Transition to school groups Computer Assistive Technology Services CATS provide assessments, training and support regarding assistive technology options for children with ASDs. Options may include low tech or high tech communication aids to assist the child in communicating with others, software to help the child understand change and increase their independence.

13 Parks Clinic Nadine Bakka Address: Mobile services in the Bankstown and Canterbury LGAs Phone: Early Start Denver Model Hanen Arabic speaking Speech Pathologist Home/ pre-school based therapy sessions Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Bankstown Canterbury Serena Dubois - Alpha OT Address: 11 Coachwood Cres, Picton Phone: Shine Early Intervention Address: Area Phone: Speechworks Speech Pathology Location 1: 11B Chamberlain St, Campbelltown Phone: Location 2: 114 Family Practice, 114 Moore Street, Liverpool Phone: [email protected] Web: Stephanie Bath, Stepping Stones Address: 25 Delfin Drive, Wattle Grove Phone: [email protected] Website: Occupational Therapy Family Based Speech Pathology Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Pre-school/ school/ centre based Self care and life skills Works with Physical/Sensory difficulties Cognitive and learning skills Social and emotional development and Occupational Therapy Mobile service attending home and preschool Specialising in children with developmental delays within a family based model Assessment Individual Therapy Group Therapy In-School Therapy Preschool Therapy Playgroups Occupational Therapy Assessment including report. Duration is usually one hour. The report includes lots of practical strategies to help with addressing the therapy goals Centre based therapy. Therapy includes sensory and play based intervention. Home based/ School or childcare based therapy Picton South West Sydney Liverpool Talk of the Town Speech Pathology Address: 320 Camden Valley Way, Narellan Phone: [email protected] Website: Behavioural Approach Speech assessment Provide therapy in a one on one setting or in a group setting. Support for culturally and linguistically diverse families Wollondilly Shire

14 Quynh To Location: Bass Hill Address: 62 Cann Street Phone: Speech Pathology Fluent in Vietnamese Assessment Individual Therapy Home, school or clinic based Augmentative and Alternative Communication available Bass Hill Rebecca K Summers Camden Child and Family Therapies Address: 35 Elizabeth St, Camden Phone: Web: Rebecca K Summers Address: Suite 4, Level 2, 171 Bigge St Liverpool Phone: Web: [email protected] Behavioural Emotional management Behavioural Intervention relating to issues such as oppositional behaviour and self-injurious behaviour Assistance with sleeping and toileting issues Socials Skills Training Emotional management Behavioural Intervention relating to issues such as oppositional behaviour and self-injurious behaviour Assistance with sleeping and toileting issues Socials Skills Training Camden Liverpool Revesby Revesby Local Address: 124 Beaconsfield Rd, Revesby Phone: Speech Pathology Therapists speak Cantonese and Greek Assessments and individual therapy In clinic/ Pre-school based/ school based therapy Revesby South West Kids Clinic P/L South West Kids Clinic P/L Address 1: 1/46 Rose St, Liverpool Phone: [email protected] Web: Address 2: 9 Margaret St, Picton Phone: [email protected] Web: Occupational Therapy Speech Pathology Hanen PECS Occupational Therapy Centre based/ home/ pre-school/ school based therapy Individual and group programs Assessment and therapy Aquatic therapy Self care skills training (toilet training, dressing and feeding) Play date social skills programs Sensory based assessment & interventions Developmental therapies Speech Therapy Centre based/ home/ pre-school/ school based therapy Individual and group programs Assessment and therapy Play date social skills programs Liverpool Picton

15 Developmental therapies Picture Exchange Communication Systems Hanen - More Than Words Feeding therapy Kids Konnect Psychological Services - Briget Gurton Address: 1/46 Rose St, Liverpool Phone: [email protected] Web: Behavioural Approach Centre, home and school based services Individual and group programs Assessment and therapy Positive Behaviour support Social skills programs Parent training Liverpool St Anthony s Family Centre Apex Address: Suite G05, 1 Centennial Drive, Campbelltown Phone: (central Burwood office number for bookings) Website: [email protected] Developmental Support/management of behavioural problems Individual therapy for children with Aspergers The Autism Specialist Clinic Leaps and Bounds OT Address: Daniel Street, Wetherill Park Phone: Mindcare Psychological Services Address: Daniel Street, Wetherill Park Phone: Talking in Steps Address: Daniel Street, Wetherill Park Phone: [email protected] Website: DIR Floortime DIR Floortime ABA Hanen Occupational Therapy Sensory Room DIR Floortime trained Psychologist who has a focus on working with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Assessments for planning Specific services available to focus on areas such as Toilet Training, Bullying and Behaviour. Social Skills groups 6 Speech Pathologists High support for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse clients Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Computer programs Makaton Wetherill Park Wetherill Park Wetherill Park

16 The Learning Clinic Centre The Learning Centre Address: Suite 33, Level 3/1-7 Jordan Street Gladesville NSW 2111 Phone: (02) Web: ABA Home and Centre based Pre/school visits available Individualised programs School shadowing Parent and teacher training Access to online individualised programs Statewide

17 Autism Advisor Program (NSW) NSW Autism Advisor Program List of workshops available to families as a part of the Helping Children with Autism package These workshops are free Workshop Details Contact Information Phone (02) Workshops for parents/carers to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Early Days Workshops An Early Days workshop runs over one full day. It is intended for mothers, fathers and other family carers of children who have recently been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or who are starting the assessment and diagnosis process. Workshops are kept to small groups of 4 10 people. Families will gain information to help them in the early days of their journey, including: learning about autism spectrum disorder and what it means for their child and family learning how the everyday things they do can make a difference to their child s development learning how to choose between therapies and get the most out of services. Closest upcoming workshops A workshop may be running in your area. If not, when there are enough families registered one will be organised Web earlydaysworkshops Workshop Details Contact information Positive Partnerships Workshops Face to face and online workshops for parents/carers who have school age children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) By participating in the workshops as parents or carers you will gain- The latest information on ASD and how this directly impacts on your child s learning at school An understanding about the processes and strategies for effective parent, school and teacher partnerships; Specific strategies on how to advocate to support your child s participation at school and ongoing learning needs; and, Information about your local school s processes to support learning at all stages of the educational pathway; Web m.au

18 Autism Advisor Program (NSW) Play Connect Playgroups Local Playconnect Playgroups available to families as a part of the Helping Children with Autism package These playgroups are free Region: South West Sydney Playgroup Location For Details Contact Information Campbelltown Parent/carers and their child with an ASD. Hurley Park Hall Dumaresq street, Campbelltown Greenacre Siblings are also welcome to attend. Parent/carers and their child with an ASD. 202 Waterloo Road, Greenacre (the Greenacre Citizens Centre) Siblings are also welcome to attend.

19 Medicare Programs (Money back for private services) Name of the Program Who can use the Program How many times can I use the Program? Who do I need to speak to? Which private services can I use? Helping Children With Autism (HCWA) Under 13 years 4 assessment sessions to assist with the diagnosis and treatment plan in total not every year Paediatrician Psychiatrist Speech pathologist Optometrist Occupational therapist (OT) Physiotherapist Psychologist Orthoptist Audiologist (Important: Check that your therapist is registered with this item before starting therapy) Helping Children With Autism (HCWA) Under 15 years 20 therapy sessions in total not every year Paediatrician Psychiatrist Speech pathologist Optometrist Occupational therapist (OT) Physiotherapist Psychologist Orthoptist Audiologist (Important: Check that your therapist is registered with this item before starting therapy) Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan Any age 5 therapy sessions in total every year GP (local doctor) Speech pathologist Occupational Therapist (OT) Psychologist Physiotherapist Dietician Aboriginal Health Worker Audiologist Chiropractor Diabetes Educator Exercise Physiologist Osteopath Podiatrist (Important: Check that your therapist is registered with this item before starting therapy) Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan Any age 6 (+ 4 extra with referral) individual therapy sessions and 6 (+4 extra with referral) group therapy sessions in total GP (local doctor) Occupational Therapist (OT) Psychologist Social Worker (Important: Check that your therapist is registered with this item before starting therapy) every year

20 Medicare is the name of Australia s health care system. Medicare gives people some money back after they have paid to see a doctor or other health related service. Doctors and other health services can be found in a hospital or in the community. Who do I need to speak to? Paediatrician A Paediatrician is a medical doctor who specialises in the medical care of infants, children and teenagers. Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist Clinical and other Psychologists are experts in personal counselling to help a person improve themselves and their interaction in groups. They can help to reduce an individual s difficult behaviours while working to develop and promote new behaviours and social skills. They raise a child s awareness of their emotions, while working with the parents to develop strategies to effectively deal with difficult behaviours. They are sometimes just called psych s. Speech Pathologist / Therapist Speech Pathologists, also known as speechies, provide a wide range of services for both individuals and families. They provide advice for the treatment and management of speech and communication disorders. They are specialists at identifying whether a child s language and communication development is delayed or different from other children. Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapists help improve motor function and reasoning, assisting people to live independently. A child s play is their occupation so an OT can help children learn to play. They can help a person who has sensitivities to their environment. They can also help with other life skills including toilet training, holding a pencil and learning to climb. Social Workers Social workers aim to develop the potential of people they work with to improve the person s quality of life. Social workers can provide counselling and provide or develop emotional support. Audiologists Audiologists are specialists trained to diagnose, manage and treat hearing and balance problems. They are also trained in counselling and sign language. Physiotherapists Physiotherapists diagnose and treat people of all ages to help them move and function better. Psychiatrist A doctor who has special training in helping people with a mental illness. For more autism information and support call the Autism Advisor Program [email protected] For a language interpreter call The Picture Communication Symbols by Mayer-Johnson LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Used with permission. Boardmaker is a trademark of Mayer-Johnson L Developed by