Autism Association of WA: Introduction to First Steps for Autism Early Intervention

7 | First Steps for Autism Early Intervention

Therapy sessions Our qualified Speech Pathologists, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists can help your child through direct therapy sessions to increase their skills and independence and achieve their goals. Therapy sessions can be conducted in a range of settings including therapy centres, in your home, at school, or in the community and can support across a wide range of goal areas and skills including: • Play skills • Sensory processing • Self-care and everyday living skills • Mealtime management • Fine and gross motor skills • Accessing the school curriculum • Reading and writing • Communication and social skills • Emotional regulation • Building positive behaviours Developing your child’s skills across a range of settings Utilising your therapy supports via a mixture of therapy sessions, at home and school visits, group sessions, parent training, resources and consultative support, allows your child to practice their skills across a number of environments with a number of people. Consultative support and training ensures that the people who are spending the most time with your child, such as teachers and family members, are trained to build therapy supports into your child’s life all throughout the day. Home visits/day care visits

Providing therapy support in your child’s home or a day care setting is not only a convenient way to access therapy supports, but it can be a great way to build everyday skills in a natural environment. Accessing this therapy can provide opportunities to work within a familiar setting, with the resources and people your child is familiar with. Home or day care therapy is also a great way for the important people in your child’s life, such as parents, siblings, and day care workers, to become involved and learn key strategies to support work on your child’s goals each day.

“I have noticed that Elijah is such a happier boy and I am glad he can build his confidence here. ”

Parent of Elijah,3 years old

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