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Autism SA has an eclectic and holistic approach
to service delivery. We believe that all people with Autism
Spectrum Disorder can learn, grow and develop.
Our programs are multi-disciplinary and are
aimed at improving the functional abilities of the people
we support using a range of interventions including the
following:
Holistic
Staff of the Association acknowledge
the whole person when determining intervention programs
and support services for individual clients. As far as
possible, all aspects of the person’s life are considered
in consultation with parents/carers, teachers and other
important people.
Functional
Goals for the people we support
focus on the development of functional skills that can
be used in everyday situations, e.g. teaching a non-verbal
person to give a picture or symbol cue card to ask for
a drink. Functional tasks taught depend upon a person’s
needs and capabilities.
Developmental
Programs are developmentally based.
The current abilities of each client are considered and
goals are set based upon the next developmental step.
These steps are broken into simple stages if necessary.
Applied Behaviour Analysis / Behaviour
Management
Principles of Applied Behaviour
Analysis and behaviour management are used flexibly
within all Autism SA programs.
Behaviour analysis examines what causes
a particular behaviour and the consequences of that
behaviour. Our focus is on positive and proactive strategies
to support people with their behaviours, using least
restrictive alternatives.
Visual Cueing
Most people with Autism Spectrum Disorder
have better visual than auditory skills and approximately
50% of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are unable
to achieve functional speech. Therefore, visual cues
(for example pictures, compics) are used to assist clients’
understanding of language and their environment and
to help them to express themselves.
The use of visual cues does not stop the
development of speech in people who are able to talk,
but rather can, at times, take pressure off speech mechanisms,
thus enabling speech to be produced. Additionally, the
use of visual cues enables people without speech to
make their needs known and helps them to understand
language. The use of visual cues in everyday situations
also helps individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
to follow instructions, understand what is happening
in their environment and understand what is expected
of them.
Sensory Integration
Many people with Autism Spectrum
Disorder have sensory integration difficulties, with some
over-reacting and others under-reacting to sensory input.
The use of sensory integration techniques helps these
people to learn to cope with sensory information in a
relaxed and reassuring environment.
Relaxation Techniques
Many people with Autism Spectrum
Disorder become quite tense and anxious, particularly
in unfamiliar settings and circumstances. Teaching them
to recognise their body state and learn to control it,
can be of enormous assistance to them.
Relaxation programs may vary from simple
programs of massage, calming music and relaxing visual
stimuli, to the use of biofeedback mechanisms. Through
the use of technology, such as biofeedback, individuals
can be taught to monitor their body functions, including
heart-rate and body temperature, in an effort to control
anxiety and aggression.
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