| ASD CHALLENGE |
INTERVENTIONS
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1. Understanding the implications of an autism diagnosis
Post diagnostic discussion (s) and individualised counsellingThe provision of good quality education and information packs for individuals, families/carers along with appropriate verbal discussion at time of need. Use of visual props if needed. Signposting to useful websites and forums. |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- Lay Diagnostic services for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome
- Library stocked with various books and information relating to autism
- Provision of leaflets relating to other services available locally
NHS Tayside provides:
- Birch Avenue Day Hospital has an autism specialist
Perth and Kinross Council provides:
- An Introduction to Autism course and other training opportunities are offered. Contact ASD coordinator Zoe Robertson on 01738 477888 for further information
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Parent Packs, which contain a wide variety of information including information about other services
- A book list which is available to borrow for two weeks or read within the PAS building
- “I am Me” - a 6 week programme aimed at secondary school aged children, looking at the different issues young people may face surrounding their diagnosis
- Introductory interACTION courses for parents with follow on workshops
- SMART Parenting programme in partnership with CAMHS and NHS Tayside.
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2. Development of effective means of communication
Individualised language therapy assessment. Updated as required. Alternative and augmentative communication systems introduced where required. Work to ensure language system (regardless of form) is used functionally and is therefore effective on an individual basis. Teaching/learning on internet etiquette and supervision. |
Autism Initiatives Number3 One Stop Shop provides:
- 1:1 work with adults focusing on communication skills
- Work in conjunction with Number 6 One Stop Shop focusing on social networking
- Access to the One Stop Shop computer room with three internet accessible computers
Perth and Kinross Council provides:
- NAVIGATE is an off-site service for Secondary School Pupils from S1-S4 offering support to young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Working in partnership with secondary schools Navigate provides an individual package of additional support and education for young people whilst the young person remains on the school roll. They have a team of Teachers and Senior Social Care Officers who support the young people during their time at Navigate.
- Allstars in Almondbank House is a Specialist Educational Provision in in Perth city for children with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs in primary provision
- ASD Coordinator in post until July 2015
- Introduction to Autism Course - Contact Zoe Robertson
- Education provides:
~ Assessment and implementation of the use of visual supports
~PECS where necessary and Work stations structured around teh TEACCH approach
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Communication Worshops -interACTION: Communication - a course delivered in partnership with Speech and Language Therapy, NHS Tayside and focuses on supporting children to develop communication skills
- Internet Safety Workshops
- Social Skills Development within children’s activities
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3. Social communication
Targeted social communication programmes delivered either individually or in a group setting as required and appropriate to the individual to include internet etiquette and promotion of online safety. |
Autism Initiatives Number3 One Stop Shop provides:
- 1:1 work with adults focusing on communication skills
- Access to the One Stop Shop computer room with three internet accessible computers
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Intensive interaction
- Talking Mats for decision-making
- LEGO therapy session to develop soccial communication in a co-operative learning model
- Pupil Council Forums
- Anger management groups
- Social skills groups - focussing on Independent life skills
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Monthly Outreach Meetings
- interACTION: Outreach - an introductory level course delivered in partnership with NHS Tayside Speech and Language Therapy and Perth and Kinross Council Early Years Inclusion Team and provides information about communication difficulties for children with an ASD diagnosis
- Internet Safety Workshops
- interACTION: Communication workshops
- Social Skills Development within children’s activities
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4. Developing and maintaining relationships
Work to assess the understanding of relationships and promotion of skills to develop relationships including sexuality issues and intimate relationships. Access to social groups, friendship circles etc |
Autism Initiatives Number3 One Stop Shop provides:
- Service provided 6 days a week which includes various activity groups
- Drop in session for adults with Autism
- Spectrum Drop in - for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism
NHS Tayside provides:
- Nurse at Birch Avenue Day Hospital specialising in learning disabilities does specific work round sexual health and autism
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Lunchtime clubs to facilitate positive experiences for vulnerable pupils at unstructured times
- Buddy groups and interest groups
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Various term time and holiday activities
Ship and Splash provides:
- The name SHIP stands for Support, Help and Integration in Perthshire, for children with complex special needs, including autism.
- Currently SHIP runs two Youth Clubs for children with special needs each week. The groups are split by age, with one group for those age 5-12, and the other age 12 and over. Social inclusion is very much a priority, and children are always matched up 1:1 with non-disabled volunteers who support them during Youth Club (SHIP) and the holiday play schemes (SPLASH).
- Their popular club run during school holidays is called “SPLASH”. This runs at Easter, summer and during the October holiday.
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5. Social isolation for individual with autism
Accessible social groups and opportunities, support in the community. Befrienders. Respect the need to be alone at times. Acceptance by families that friendships can take many forms |
Autism Initiatives Number3 One Stop Shop provides:
- Service provided 6 days a week which includes various activity groups
- Drop in sessions for adults with Autism
- Spectrum Drop in for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism
Perth and Kinross Council provides:
- Woodlea Cottage provides curricular ‘residence experience’ and respite provision for young people within the age range of 7 to 18 who have complex, multiple and enduring needs, including autism.
- Child Health Team which provides assessment, and as appropriate, service programme referrals for children diagnosed with a profound physical or learning disability, or an illness which is chronic or life threatening
- We Care Perthshire, a programme that matches pre-screened volunteers with children and young people who are either disabled, or would beneift from a positive role model
- Fairview School is the Authority’s Additional Support needs school for children and young people with severe and complex and enduring additional support needs. They cater for pupils with severe social communication difficulties including those on the autistic spectrum.
- NAVIGATE is an off-site service for Secondary School Pupils from S1-S4 offering support to young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Working in partnership with secondary schools Navigate provides an individual package of additional support and education for young people whilst the young person remains on the school roll. They have a team of Teachers and Senior Social Care Officers who support the young people during their time at Navigate
Ship and Splash provides:
- The name SHIP stands for Support, Help and Integration in Perthshire, for children with complex special needs, including autism
- Currently SHIP runs two Youth Clubs for children with special needs each week. The groups are split by age, with one group for those age 5-12, and the other age 12 and over. Social inclusion is very much a priority, and children are always matched up 1:1 with non-disabled volunteers who support them during Youth Club (SHIP) and the holiday play schemes (SPLASH)
- Their popular club run during school holidays is called “SPLASH”. This runs at Easter, summer and during the October holiday.
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6. Social isolation for family
Family/ Partner/ Carer support, opportunity for respite. Access to autism friendly environments |
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Parents’ social groups
- Monthly Outreach Meetings
- Mindful Moments - parents’ relaxation classes
- Short Breaks Service
- Sibling Weekends
Perth Playhouse provides:
- Autism Friendly Screenings
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7. Learning to learn skills
A functional assessment of the person’s cognitive abilities and learning style leading to a planned programme both directly with the individual and indirectly with the family, carers etc. Formal psychometric testing may be conducted if appropriate to inform intervention |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- 1:1 work with individuals on an as required basis
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Learning sytles assessment
- Training for staff in “Reducing levels of anxiety int he mainstream”, “Mind Mapping”, “Using colourful semantics and experiential learning”.
Perth Autism Support provides:
- interACTION: Education - a course delivered in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, Education and Children’s Services which focuses on visual supports which may help children in the classroom environment and beyond
- Full interACTION series
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8. Predicting and managing change
Timely individual direct work with individuals to teach methods where required. Family/carer /employer guidance/education in these methodsVisual supports; timetables, timers, text alerts, choice boards etc to be used as appropriate |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- 1:1 work with individuals on an as required basis
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- How to help me/Behaviour support plan” written form the pupil’s perspective
- Enhanced transition planning for pupils with Autism, creating visual transition booklets and Powerpoint presentations
- Multi agency team working with the child
- Partnership working with Community Link Workers and Outreach
Perth Autism Support provides:
- SMARTS parenting programme in partnership with CAMHS, NHS Tayside
- Family Support service - 1:1 individualised support, helping with issues including behavioural and communication
- School Liaison - support with transitions and change in school
- interACTION: Transitions - home/nursery to primary, primary to secondary and secondary to Adult Services.
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9. Behaviour and emotional regulation protecting wellbeing
Knowledge development in understanding behaviour in the context ofASD. Individual work with the individual on assessing behaviour, recognising triggers and developing and managing the implementation of strategies to help. Behaviour support plans, cognitive interventions, psychotherapy or counselling as required and indicated by life circumstances eg around transitions of all types including bereavement. Work with the individual’s family/carers, criminal justice, social work, Police as appropriate. Autism Alert card possession |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- Living Life to the Full Programme
- 1:1 work with individuals on an as-required basis
Perth and Kinross Council provides:
- Safe Place Scheme - The Council’s Safer Communities Team has launched a ‘safe place’ scheme, in partnership with the Centre for Inclusive Living Perth and Kinross (CILPK), where local shops and businesses have staff trained to deal with people with a disability who may have difficulties with accessing assistance or advice whilst in the city centre.
- Education provides: “Fix it” folder .
Calm Training provides:
- Training to enable better organisational and individual responses to challenging behaviour- contact Zoe Robertson on 01738 477 888
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Relax Kids, Chill Skills - devised for teenagers and will focus on equipping young people with the tools to manager their mood, emotion and behaviour in a postive way
- Therapeutic Intervention Programme - including trampolining, yoga therapy and music therapy (in conjunction with Nordoff Robbins).
- Weighted materials loan service
- interACTION serivce
- Family support service
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| 10. Restricted and repetitive interests and behavioursAssessment and positive day to day management on an individualised basis. Treatment by mental health clinician if required |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- Living Life to the Full Programme
- 1:1 work with individuals on an as-required basis
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Autism Outreach works with all pupils to develop individualised positive behaviour management strategies
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Family support - can support with individualised work
- interACTION series - includes information on restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours
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11. Motivation issues
Structured programmes as appropriate to the individual linking to the other core challenges as required. Career guidance, employer/HE/FE support. |
Perth and Kinross Council provides:
- The Employability Network - comprises a wide range of public and voluntary sector partners. It was set up to deliver improved, intensive and individualised employability services to help more people with additional challenges into paid work, volunteering positions, further education and vocational skills training
- Transitions into the Community Project aims to improve the opportunities for children and young people with complex learning disabilities, and/or autism, to remain within their community and be well supported into adulthood
- Social Communications Framework at Fairview School
Perth Autism Support provides:
- I Am Me” - will address some motivation issues
- School Liaison - support to encourage children to utilise PAS services so they have an outlet outwith the school environment
Perth College provides:
- Student Transition Support - for looked after young people via a Student Transitions Officer.
- The Social and Vocational Studies Department has a dedicated, qualified and specialist team with many years of experience in teaching and supporting students who benefit from additional support with their learning.The department offers a supportive learning environment in which students can build confidence, skills for life and independence.
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12. Sensory issues
Assessment of sensory difficulties. Identification and implementation of strategies. Environmental adaptation on an individual basis with individual control working towards reducing the impact of sensory sensitivities |
NHS Tayside provides:
- Birch Avenue - Sensory assessments for individuals with autism or a learning disability
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Autism Outrach recommend a “Communication friendly environmental tool” for all mainstream classrooms.
Perth Autism Support provides:
- interACTION: Sensory - delivered in partnership with Pediatric Occupation Therapy, NHS Tayside and focuses on common sensory difficulties children may face
- Relax Kids - uses sensory play within sessions
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13. Daily living skills
Assessment of core life skills as required across the lifespan and to take account of changing needs at various transitions. Specific individual programmes to teach and maintain these skills where needed. Involvement of families/carers in assessment and implementation of new learningEducation for families/employers/ care providers/housing dept re practical needs |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- 1:1 work on Employment - including finding and maintaining employment. Support may be given for the application and interview process, as well as discussing difficulties that arise in the workplace
- 1:1 work on Housing - including support with housing application and advice on financial or other issues that may help to maintain a tenancy.
- 1:1 work on benefits - including assistance with finding out what benefits you may be entitled to and how to apply, or issues with current benefits you are receiving.
NHS Tayside provides:
- Broxden Dental Centre - a Public Dental Service. The centre deals in Special Care Dentistry and have staff who have specific training in this field. Patients with autism can arrange to do pre-appointment visits to see the rooms, meet the staff and look at equipment. It can also be arranged for patients or their parents/ carers to take photos of the rooms, equipment and staff prior to the appointment. Patients with autism can contact the centre directly to register.
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Family Yoga Sessions delivered by Autism Outreach Teacher
Perth Autism Support provides:
- ASD hairdressing service
- Cookery Class
- Social groups with trips out
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14. Co existing conditions- examples
epilepsy, dyspraxia, dyslexia, disorders of attention, sensory impairment, anxiety, sleep disorder, addiction, anger management, depression, self harm, psychosis, personality disorder, OCD, disordered eating patterns etcThese require assessment and treatment/management by appropriate specialist clinician. Joint working is crucial across specialities with a clear case co-ordinating lead identified. |
Autism Initiatives No. 3 One Stop Shop provides:
- Living Life to the Full Programme
Perth and Kinross Council Education provides:
- Family Yoga Sessions delivered by Autism Outreach Teacher
- Outreach team trained volunteers at the ADHD support group on “The ADHD brain” and “Yoga to reduce anxiety”.
Perth Autism Support provides:
- Relax Kids Chill Skill Programme
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