Autism (ASD) Assessment & Providing Multisensory Learning Support in Croydon Park
Enhancing Learning for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Who is Impacted by Autism (ASD)?
As per The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, an estimated one to two in every 100 Australians are on the autism spectrum. Autism frequently exhibits a familial association, with family members often displaying similar traits.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often affects individuals in two main areas – social communication and repetitive behaviour. The manifestation of these challenges may differ depending on the age. While the diagnosis is often made in primary school or even preschool-aged children, it may be recognised only during adolescence or even adulthood in some cases. It is noteworthy that girls with ASD tend to be diagnosed later than boys.
Understanding Autism
Autism is a developmental disorder that influences information processing, particularly in social contexts. It may have various effects on educational progress, regardless of a person’s level of intelligence. Autism often co-occurs with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and epilepsy, which may complicate diagnosis and lead to delays. Although the educational system may provide additional assistance, it may not be finely tuned to address the specific needs of individuals with autism due to the wide range of presentations and associated challenges. This is where targeted educational therapy may have a significant impact.
Harnessing the Power of Multisensory Learning for Autism/ASD
We find that the multisensory approach is often very useful for people with autism. There is a growing body of research and interest in applying this approach to students with autism all over the world.
There is a growing body of research into the usefulness of employing multisensory methods for people with autism, including Jaclyn Smith (“Multisensory Learning and its Effect on Students with Autism” (2019). Education Masters. Paper 367) and Amaal Mustafa (“Investigating the Effect of Multisensory Approach on Improving Emergent Literacy Skills in Children with Autism Disorder.” International Journal of Psycho-Educational Sciences Vol. 7, Issue (1), April –2018).
The following link is an example of how multisensory education is becoming increasingly recognised and implemented for students with Autism.
https://www.structural-learning.com/post/multisensory-learning-in-the-classroom-a-teachers-guide
Multisensory Therapy/Tutoring for People with Autism/ASD
Mainstream education is primarily focused on meeting the needs of the majority and may not effectively engage students with autism and related conditions. At Neurosensory, our therapists and teachers employ a personalised approach that embraces the unique interests of these students, considering them as opportunities for enhanced engagement and growth. Our approach is characterised by its organic, creative, and structured nature.
Through acknowledging the significance of their interests, we witness the growth of self-esteem, confidence, and self-expression in our students.
Supporting Students with Autism: The role of our MSL Therapists and Tutors
They are encouraged to:
- Set a structured framework for each session
- Blend the student’s interests into the lessons and promote imaginative thinking
- Avoid using sarcasm and common sayings
- Foresee scenarios where subtle social hints may complicate the understanding of fictional stories
- Allow the students to make choices within the lesson
- Create an environment of trust so that the student can ask any question, no matter how obvious the answer may seem
- Encourage the student to take a break if they’re overwhelmed-perhaps a 5-minute table tennis game, a run around the garden or mini basketball game
Choosing the Right Therapy and Tutoring Options for Autism/ASD
We offer two options when it comes to helping people with autism, ensuring that primary, secondary, TAFE, and university students and beyond are able to access the support offered by Neurosensory.
Enhancing Learning with In-Person Therapy/Tutoring for Autism/ASD
In-person tutoring encompasses the establishment of a warm and inviting learning environment that offers a greater level of relaxation compared to a traditional school classroom. Our therapists acknowledge the significance of routine for individuals with autism, as well as the challenges they face in breaking deeply ingrained but less effective habits.
Our rooms have many engaging hands-on materials which go beyond paper and pen learning. Schooling is stressful for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. The Neurosensory approach takes away the stigma of failure and replaces it with a can-do attitude. It recognises concentration limits and the need for short breaks with movement to refresh the mind. Our approach allows for more interactivity and creativity in the lesson, which can help students to better retain skills and information.
Embracing Online Platforms for Therapy/Tutoring and Learning Support
We recognise that not everyone has the ability to attend in-person tutoring and therapy sessions due to various constraints such as location, transportation limitations, and other commitments. Our therapists are adept at delivering structured and diverse sessions. We understand that learning is not just a mechanical process but also relies on the establishment of personal connections.
At our services, we adopt a holistic approach, treating each individual as a ‘whole person’ and seamlessly incorporating social awareness and language development into the sessions. Our online ASD option guarantees that students with autism and other disorders can still receive suitable interventions from the convenience of their home.
If you or a loved one require some learning assistance as a result of an autism diagnosis, our autism tutors are ready and waiting to help.
Autism Assessments for Both Adults & Children
The diagnosis of autism can be challenging, as there is no definitive medical test to rely on. Instead, a diagnosis is made by observing behavioural symptoms. Many individuals with autism camouflage their symptoms in everyday life as they strive to meet societal norms. This is particularly common among girls and women, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.
At Neurosensory, we offer screening assessments and facilitate referrals to psychologists, paediatricians, and psychiatrists if there is a possibility of an autism diagnosis. Some of the assessments we utilise as guidance include the Test of Pragmatic Language (TOPL2) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Additionally, other professionals may employ assessments such as ADOS-2. It is worth noting that new assessments are being developed to address the limitations of older ones, as they may not effectively diagnose individuals who are ‘highly functioning’ but face significant challenges due to masking symptoms.
Please note that we do not have the capacity to offer formal diagnosis. However, if our assessment suggests a potential diagnosis, we can assist individuals in obtaining referrals to professionals who are qualified to provide formal evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are concerned about a loved one’s development or even yourself, your GP may be able to help with an initial consultation, or you may already be in touch with a paediatrician or psychologist. They can refer you to a team of experts who will be involved in the autism assessment. These professionals include paediatricians, speech pathologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
If you prefer, you can arrange a consultation with us at Neurosensory. During the consultation, we can delve into the concerns you have, conduct screening assessments, provide a preliminary report, and direct you to the appropriate professionals for a formal diagnosis if deemed necessary.
During an ASD assessment for a child or adult, you may be requested to undergo:
- Consultations (with yourself, your child, and/or with other primary guardians)
- Assessment of developmental timeline
- Noticing your (or your child’s) engagement with others
- Diagnostic tests (including TOPL-2 and SRS)
Without a doubt, the sooner autism is identified, the better it may be for the individual’s overall well-being. It may significantly boost their self-esteem and understanding, granting them a sense of identity they may have been lacking. Additionally, a diagnosis may be able to streamline the process of obtaining financial assistance and support for families.
While it is possible to detect autism in some children as early as 18 months or even earlier, the average age for diagnosis is typically around three years old. Children with a family history of autism, such as a sibling or parent, are often assessed at a younger age.
Signs of autism encompass various behaviours, such as: not responding to their name, not engaging in pretend play, avoiding eye contact, struggling to understand emotions, becoming distressed by minor changes, displaying obsessive interests, avoiding or rejecting physical contact, engaging in repetitive movements like hand flapping or body rocking, exhibiting hyperactivity and impulsivity, having a short attention span, displaying unusual sleeping and eating patterns, and showing limited or no social skills.
It is important to note that while some individuals may exhibit numerous signs of autism, others may only display a few.
People with autism are often good at learning by heart, which is also known as rote memory. In fact, many people with ASD can remember large chunks of information, like conversations from a movie. The multisensory approach has also proven to be highly successful.
The Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach helps those with: ADD/ADHD (although not a formal learning disorder), Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Reading remediation (students without a learning disorder), Generalised learning disorders, Maths, and ESL.
Based in Campsie, we are just around the corner from Belfield, Belmore, Ashbury, Canterbury, Croydon Park, Clemton Park, Earlwood, Ashfield and Hurlstone Park.
Encouragement and Nurturing through Autism Learning Support
Research and studies have indicated that individuals with autism frequently exhibit attributes such as strong long-term memory skills, precision and attention to detail, adherence to rules, independent thinking, intensive focus (especially when engaged in their interests), and proficiency in visual thinking. At Neurosensory, we aim to foster and cultivate these attributes through our ASD-adapted tutoring, as we recognise and value the uniqueness and special qualities they bring.
Is NDIS Funding Available for Individuals with Autism?
Some students with autism may be eligible for NDIS funding. We have several students who have been able to fund Neurosensory services through their NDIS plan. We can also assist people with their NDIS application process.
If you have any additional inquiries regarding this matter, feel free to let me know. I’m at your disposal and ready to assist!
Are You Prepared to Discover the Power of Multisensory Learning?
Neurosensory is dedicated to assisting students in tackling the challenges associated with education and schooling for individuals with ASD. We address issues such as organisation, breaks in routine, varying expectations, and comprehending teacher instructions. Through our multisensory approach, we establish meaningful connections between abstract concepts and tangible, visual models.
This aspect is particularly important for individuals who struggle with processing the intricacies of language, a common challenge among individuals with autism. At Neurosensory, our goal is to empower students of all ages to develop learning and study habits that extend beyond their academic life, as these habits can also contribute to the development of social skills.