Early intervention - the best medicine for autistic children

An early intervention program to commence at The Children's Hospital at Westmead next week is set to extend the best possible care and advice for autistic children and their families. The program, run by the Child Development Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in collaboration with the Autism Association of NSW, aims to work with families with children aged two to four years who are newly diagnosed with autism.

This model of intervention by the Autism Association is established and successful. This initiative by the Child Development Unit and The Children's Hospital at Westmead gives priority to children and families who are Hospital patients and who have had no opportunity for such intervention.

Each two-hour session within the early intervention program will have a two-fold purpose. First, the children are taken into a therapy room to concentrate on developing skills they require to participate in a preschool setting. There is a maximum of six children in a group and each child is provided with an individualised program in the key learning areas of communication, social development and play.

Secondly, the parents attend a support and information session which is run simultaneously with the session for children. An early intervention service psychologist or special educator facilitates the parent information sessions, encourages discussion on relevant topics and provides opportunities for parents to raise issues that may be pertinent to them.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as two to six in 1,000 individuals.

Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world.

Doctors at The Children's Hospital at Westmead anticipate that they will be able to assist 20 families per year through the early intervention program. This will prepare these autistic children for integration into a regular pre-school setting and will introduce them to a variety of play activities from different curriculum areas. This program will also provide doctors with a unique opportunity for research and teaching in the area of early intervention and autistic spectrum disorders.

For further information, or to gain access to a family as a case study, please contact:

Julie Stromborg
Public Relations Officer
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
(02) 9845 3580