Autism Assessments and Treatment

AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

Sally-Ann is recognised by Autism SA as a very experienced qualified diagnostician of Autism Spectrum Disorder . She is also an approved provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. In South Australia a person is required to be diagnosed by two different professionals either as a joint assessment or individual assessments (i.e., paediatrician, psychologist or speech pathologist) in order to be accepted as a client of Autism SA.

Sally-Ann can provide one of these assessments, either as a first or second opinion with a Paediatrician, Child Psychiatrist or Psychologist of the parents’ choice.  Sally-Ann  provides a comprehensive diagnostic report that is required for recognition of the diagnosis by Autism SA and can also be used in the application for funding by the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

In order for a child with ASD to receive additional funded support within their school (either public or private), he/she will require 2 diagnostic reports as well as registration of the diagnosis of ASD with Autism SA. This report can also be used to qualify for support under the NDIS- National Disability Insurance Scheme.

See:http://www.ndis.gov.au/

AUTISM TREATMENT

Sally-Ann has a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of children aged 0-7 years with ASD. Currently 95% of her clients have different severities of ASD. She has extensive experience working with children who have Autism with or without Global Developmental Delays. She also is able to work on Social Pragmatic Skills difficulties including problems in comprehending  Theory of Mind (The ability to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings).

Sally-Ann provides individualised treatment programmes for each child. She is also able to treat children with complex communication difficulties.

Wherever possible, Sally -Ann tries to arrange overlapping sessions for children who might be functioning at a similar level. Each child has his/her own lesson, but overlap for a certain period of time (approximately 15 minutes), so that they can practise their social pragmatic skills and imaginative play. Sally-Ann uses dress-ups, cooking, craft-making to encourage appropriate communication in  ‘real-life’ situations. She also uses her ‘therapy dog’,Remy to demonstrate to those children who are reluctant to participate, how to carry out the activities.