Our Services

Footprints Program "Stepping Into Learning"

AVAILABLE IN METRO NORTH AND SOUTH OF SYDNEY AND WOLLONGONG AREA

Autism Behavioural Intervention NSW (ABI NSW) is excited to introduce Footprints "Stepping into Learning" Program! We are a newly established service whose aim is to provide quality, practical services for your child and family.

The Footprints Program is funded through The Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care (DADHC.) This service is catered to families who cannot access services due to financial reasons.

 


Criterion

1.Must be living within metropolitan south or north Sydney

2.Child must have a formal Diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder

3.Child must be under the age of 6 and not yet attending school

Our unique model of early intervention uses a community approach to improve the quality of life of the family unit. Using a family centered model, we build on your family’s strengths and work together in partnership to create the optimal learning environment for your child. We believe that the best interventions are the ones that empower families by giving you the tools to create change in your own lives.

In order to truly enhance your family’s quality of life the unique needs of your family must be considered. Planning and support will extend beyond your child to include not only your immediate family but their entire support community.


Breakdown of Service Delivery

Your family will be provided with a total of 40 hours of behaviour support and education over a 20 week period.

Program Development and Training Phase

Family Interview
2 hours
  • Family goals established in home setting.
  • Functional Assessment of maladaptive behaviours, communication, play, self help, fine and gross motor skills.

Family Observations
2-4 hours
  • Direct observation of child in natural environment.
  • Direct observation of child and family interactions.
  • Direct observation of child in community environments.
  • Direct observation of child in preschool (if applicable)

Theory
Training
6 hours
  • Family training conducted in ABI office.
  • All members of the collaborative team should attend.
  • Covering topics of ABA principles, positive behaviour support and skill building strategies.

Practical Training
3 hours
  • Training continued in child’s home with direct caregivers.
  • Strategies demonstrated and practiced directly with child.
  • Immediate feedback provided and discussed.

IFSP
1-2 hours
  • Development of Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
  • Development of Individual Education Plan (IEP) if attending preschool.

Program Implementation Phase

Service Provision
20 hours (approx.)
  • Weekly and fortnightly visits commence.
  • Ongoing assessment and review of IFSP/IEP goals.
  • Ongoing monitoring of child’s progress across all environments.
  • Meetings with members of child’s collaborative team

Future Goal Development Phase

Goal setting
2 hours
  • Establish future goals across all environments

Outcome evaluation
1 hour
  • Feedback, evaluation and family satisfaction interview.
  • Completion of exit report


Working As a Community

ABI Footprints Program appreciates that your child is not only an individual, but also a member of your family and community.  Your child will live in a community of family, friends, teachers and therapists. It’s important that people having the most contact with your child work together as a team to share ideas and strategies to most effectively support your child’s development and learning.

In order to achieve this ABI Footprints Program has adopted a collaborative team-work approach to delivering services to your child and family. A collaborative approach is an interactive process in which individuals with various backgrounds and expertise join together to share knowledge and resources in order to help your child learn to the best of their ability. This entails the family, professionals (such as speech pathologists, occupational therapist, teacher’s aide, and teacher) and your ABI Behavioural Support Educator working in partnership for the benefit of your child.

A collaborative approach involves;

  • All professionals and family members meeting together to discuss and plan your child’s goals.
  • Professionals will try to assess your child in his or her most convenient setting, which may be in the home or at pre-school.
  • Professionals and Family member will freely share their knowledge and skills so everyone is given the most effective tools to help your child.

By working together as a community, family members and professionals make a commitment to teach, learn and work together in partnership to implement a coordinated service to best support your child and family’s individual needs.

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What is Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)?

ABA is based on well researched principles of behaviour and learning.  It is currently the best known method for teaching appropriate behaviours and reducing problematic behaviours in children with ASD.  By definition, ABA refers to applying the principles of behaviour to socially important issues to produce practical change.  This means that ABA focuses on the development of socially appropriate and functional behaviour and the reduction of problematic behaviours.

Sound familiar?

  • “My child never comes to me when I call him.”
  • “My child screams a lot and I don’t know why”
  • “My child doesn’t seem to know how to play with toys, when I give him a car he’ll just look at the wheels”
  • “My child has tantrums when she wants something”
  • “My child doesn’t look at me or say hello”

Teaching strategies and techniques based on the principles of ABA can be used to manage challenging behaviour, increase appropriate behaviour and teach new skills.

Our individualised assessment and planning covers the following target areas;

  • Reduction of Challenging Behaviour

  • Communication Skills

  • Increasing attention

  • Pre-academics and Academics

  • School Skills

  • Play Skills

  • Socialisation and Relationship Building

  • Gross and Fine motor skills

  • Self Help / Independent Living Skills

  • Community Access Skills

In order to understand, predict and change behaviour it is important to first understand how behaviour works. ABA is concerned with observing and modifying what happens before and after behaviour in order to create effective behavioural change.


Intake and Referrals

Our intake of clients occurs every six months. In take must be done through an interview process run by DADHC. To join this services and make a referral please call either one of the following, (depending on the area that you live in):

DADHC Metropolitan North Intake and Referal Office: 9841 9350

DADHC Metropolitan South Intake and Referal Office: 9334 3700

DADHC Souther Region Intake and Referal Office (for Wollongong clients): 61 289 200

ABI NSW HEAD OFFICE: 02 9669 2250

And ask to speak to an intake officer in regards to joining ABI Footprints "Stepping into Learning" Program.

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