2021 Annual Report

Regional Services

The Regional Therapy Program continues to support families

Training and support were provided to families, teachers, allied health professionals and community organisations across Western Australia, including webinars and online training for families. This year, the Autism Advisors delivered a number of workshops to families and providers in Narrogin, Katanning, Albany, Denmark, Manjimup, Margaret River, Busselton and Bunbury. Workshops included ‘Getting to Know the NDIS’ and ’Understanding Autism’. The Intensive Holiday Program for regional families also continued in high demand this year including the First Steps Early Intervention Program for children up to 7 years of age and the School Age Therapy Program for students ages 8 to 18. The focus of the Program is equipping families with the support and resources they need. It includes the development of an individual program plan for each child with coaching to families to implement the plan at home. The Program also includes support to families to advocate for their child at school and in the community. Very importantly, all of these programs assist families to establish strong connections with other regional families so they can build natural support networks.

"This is the third time we have attended the regional program at Little Stars. My daughter loves it there. Throughout the year, out of no where, she often asks when she’s going to Little Stars again” Family from Kununurra

in regional and remoteWestern

"It brings us so much joy and happiness to finally start seeing our child slowly emerge from his shell, from being non- verbal, to ending the program with 4 new words added to his vocabulary. This program is the best thing we have done, not only for our child but for our family as a whole" Family from Port Hedland

Australia. Services include intensive holiday programs, online training and youth diagnosis via telehealth and teletherapy for those in remote areas.

Kununurra Broome Port Hedland South Hedland Babakin Geraldton Jurien Bay Dongara Kalgoorlie-Boulder Katanning

Newman Warmun Wagin Muntadgin York Aldersyde Bunbury Esperance Tom Price Denmark Derby Northam

"Such a fantastic week. Thank you all so much. Such a fantastic set up and service you offer. We were so very lucky to have you as our therapists." Family from the Kalgoorlie

“This is the first time that I have felt supported in a long time” Family from the Wheatbelt

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2021 33