Diagnostic Services
Early Development Program
School Program
Spectrum Advisory Services
Community Services
Resources, Training and Development
Community Relations

Click here to download an Outline of Services pamphlet

Diagnostic Services

To access services from Autism SA it is necessary for individuals to be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Currently in South Australia there are several options for families or adults seeking an assessment for autism or Asperger syndrome, that meet the international recommendations for best practice adopted by the Office of Disability and Client Services and the Board of Management of Autism SA. Assessments are made by professionals who are experienced in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders and who work in a multi-disciplinary setting. Autism SA is funded to conduct diagnostic assessments and is one of the major centres for the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in South Australia.

A diagnostic assessment of children at Autism SA involves:

• a play/activity based assessment, involving both interaction and observation. With the consent of the parents / caregivers this assessment is videoed.
• an interview with the parents / caregivers documenting the child’s developmental history and current behaviours.
• A questionnaire completed bt the child’s teacher or a relevant adult who the parents feel knows their child well.

Adults are assessed through a conversation based assessment conducted with the person and anyone they wish to bring and two members of the Diagnostic Team.

Assessments in the community can be accessed at the Child Development Units at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Lyell McEwin Health Service, and at the Children’s Assessment Team at Flinders Medical Centre and through a number of practitioners in private practice.

Individuals from interstate or overseas who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are eligible for services from Autism SA after the Diagnostic Team has sighted copies of diagnostic report(s) detailing the assessment tools and how the person met the criteria.

For further information, please contact the Coordinator Diagnostic Services at Autism SA on 08 8379 6976

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The Early Development Program

The Early Development Program provides support for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders who are not of compulsory school age. In the metropolitan area, services are provided through group programs and consultancy programs.

The group program focuses on the development of communication, social and play skills, as well as skills each child will need for preschool and school settings. It is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team including speech pathologists, occupational therapits and education staff. Children attending groups are still eligible to attend regular preschool sessions through the Department of Education & Children’s Services, Catholic Education or the private system.

The consultancy program is available for families whose children are not attending the group program. Again a multidiciplinary team provides consultancy which is available for the family at home, kindergarten and/or childcare setting. Phone consultancy can also be accessed. A Senior Family and Information Services Officer is available to provide support to families in the Early Development Program in the metropolitan area.

For preschool children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who live outside the metropolitan area, services are offered through Autism SA's School Program. Staff from this program visit each country region twice a year. Children outisde the metropolitan area are also eligible for services theough the Early development Group Program. However, it is the responsibility of parents to transport their child to centre-based programs.

For further information, please contact the Coordinator Early Development Program at Autism SA on 08 8379 6976

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School Program

Autism SA provides support to schools for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder through the multidisciplinary School Program.

Priority of service is given to metropolitan schools dealing with issues relating to:
Newly diagnosed students
Transition support
Risk of placement
Bullying and harassment
Physical risk to self**
Social skills
The need for expertise support in assessments /training

** Support regarding self harm/suicide will be of a non clinical nature and will involve information regarding referral to appropriate services

Other services available from either the School Program include:
Professional development sessions
Attendance at Review meetings
Fee for service support
Specific one-to-one short term programs

Support is provided to Department of Education and Children’s Services, Catholic and Independent Schools. Support to inner country schools/preschools consists of two visits per year. A maximum of three visits per year can occur for new clients and clients transitioning to a new setting or whose placement is at risk. Support to country schools/preschools is limited. Visits to country areas occur twice a year for individual schools and training and development opportunities.

For further information, please contact Cathie Johnston, Coordinator School Programs at Autism SA on 8462 0639.

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Spectrum Advisory Services

Post Diagnostic Appointments: Spectrum Advisory Services arranges appointments with families/individuals in the metropolitan area and phone contact to families and adults in the country to provide additional information about Autism Spectrum Disorders, relevant services, intervention and treatment programs.

Info Line: The Autism SA Info line, 1300 AUTISM (1300 288 476), provides non-clinical information about Autism Spectrum Disorders and offers referral internally to Autism SA staff and externally to other agencies or professionals. It is available 9am-4pm Monday-Friday.

Training and Development: Autism SA provides a range of training options including scheduled training for parents and professionals and flexible fee-for-service workshops. A training schedule is available from Autism SA or you can discuss your needs with the Coordinator of Spectrum Adisory Services.

The Mentoring Program: The peer mentor program assists people between the ages of 12 and 25 by providing trained peer mentors. The mentors and mentees meet fortnightly for social activates supervised by the coordinator.

Brief Clinical Support: Time-limited centre-based assistance is available to families and individuals to assist them to work through issues within structured sessions. Referrals are received through the Autism SA Info Line.

Parent Support Networks: ‘ Someone to turn to...’ ™ provides one-on-one telephone support to parents who are dealing with new a diagnosis, family issues or emotional stress and is provided by parents who also have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are a number of family support groups in the metropolitan and country areas Further information is available on the website and through the Info Line 1300 AUTISM (1300 288 476).

Resource Centre: Library and information services are provided at the Resource Centre to people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families. other agencies, Autism SA members and the public. The Resource Centre has a range of books and videos on autism and Asperger syndrome and subscribes to journals from around the world. Internet access is also available for research. Literature searches are also available to assist in finding information. The catalogue of resources is available at http://webdb.central.sa.edu.au/aasa.htm. Publications produced by Autism SA are on display and are available for sale.

Social Development Program

Entry to all social development groups listed below is by referral only. Please enquire regarding waiting lists that may be in place.

Per Aspera Ad Astra (AAA): AAA is a group for adults dedicated to the expressive arts and finding creative solutions to problems they face. They meet on a weekly basis to explore social issues through theatre, music, writing and other art forms. There is also a social element to the sessions for those who wish to meet others and form friendships. The group is open to adults 18 years and over with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.

Voices of Experience - Public Speaking Group: This group is open to adults with Asperger syndrome who can demonstrate commitment to public speaking opportunities. The fortnightly sessions are aimed at refining public speaking techniques and generating new speaking material.

ALPHA: ALPHA is a group for people over the age of 16 years with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The group has been meeting for the past 18 years. The aim of ALPHA is broaden the social horizons of participants through fortnightly community outings and to offer practical skill development opportunities on a bimonthly basis.

For further information please contact the Coordinator Family & Information Services on 8379 6976.

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Community Services

Day Option Programs

The Kandu ( Clovelly Park) and Kandu II (Craigmore) programs are specialised day options services tailored to meet the needs of young people and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who no longer attend school. The aim is to enhance lifestyles by providing support in a range of recreational and prevocational experiences and opportunities.

 Respite Services

Respite will operate out of two Variety Respite Houses, one at Craigmore and the other in the southern suburbs. Each house will cater for approximately 50 clients a year and operate every weekend. Respite provides a planned break for children with disabilities and their families.

Priority for respite is given to children with challenging behaviours. Each service supports four children at a time, using skilled staff and a program tailored to meet the needs of the children. The Craigmore house is operational and Autism SA hopes to have both houses fully operational by the end of 2008. Until the Southern house is established Autism SA is providing an Interim Respite Service. This consists of centre-based day support on weekends during term time and day trips during school holidays.

For further information please contact the Coordinator Community Services on 8379 6976.

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Resources, Training and Development

Autism SA provides a range of training options including scheduled training for parents and professionals and flexible fee-for-service workshops. A training schedule is available from Autism SA or you can discuss your needs with the Coordinator Spectrum Advisory Services.

Training topics include:
Information sessions for new families
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
Working through difficult behaviours
Facilitating social skills
Sensory issues
Communication
Teaching strategies
Behaviour management

For further information please contact the Coordinator Family & Information Services on 8379 6976.

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Community Relations

The Community Relations Department’s main role is to ensure that Autism SA engages in effective fundraising to supplement annual government funding and to attract grants and other major gifts to directly assist with service provision and special one-off projects.

Fundraising: The main fundraising activities of Autism SA are an Annual Giving Campaign (new donor acquisition and renewals), Major Gifts Program and a Bequest Program. Gifts to Autism SA are tax deductible.

Applications for Non-Government Grant Funding: Often Autism SA will have a need arise within its client group that is not covered by annual government funding. The Department makes all applications to non-government funding bodies such as private and corporate trusts and foundations.

Financial Membership: The Community Relations Department is also responsible for the acquisition of new Financial Members to Autism SA as well as the renewal of existing Financial Members and associated correspondence.

Public Relations: Increasing community awareness is also a key goal of the department, which oversees a range of Public Relations activities and publications including National Autism Awareness Week (annually in May), quarterly newsletter, promotional brochures, Annual Report, signage and other promotional materials.

For further information contact the Manager Community Relations at Autism SA on 8379 6976.

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