New way forward for children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder

University of Queensland researchers are looking for volunteers to participate in a new project designed to help young children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

The Pass it Forward project is the result of collaboration between families of children up to four years old with ASD, community groups such as the Asperger Syndrome Support Network (ASSN), and a project team from the University.

It will focus on developing skills appropriate to parenting a child with ASD, and will also aim to develop the child’s social communication skills.

A further aim is to develop community partnerships in order to strengthen the network of available parent supports.

The project has received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services (Stronger Families and Communities Strategy), and is also supported by the University.

Dr Deb Keen, a member of the project team, lecturer in educational psychology at UQ and manager of the Caroline Chisholm Centre, said the project represented “an exciting shift towards family and community centred practice.”

She said 30 families who have a child with ASD are being sought for the project.

“Parents will participate in centre-based sessions that will increase their understanding of the disorder, and develop knowledge of effective intervention (play and communication) approaches,” Dr Keen said.

“This phase of the project will be followed by 10 home-visits, which will provide families with an opportunity to apply new skills and knowledge with the support of a specially-trained in-home facilitator.

“Participants will have the opportunity, through a mentoring program, to pass forward their knowledge and skills to other families that join the project.”

Dr Keen said families would also be able to access a project web site and community noticeboard, which would promote links between families in the project and families in rural and remote areas.

A training manual, video and website will be developed throughout the project and will be available to the public.

Members of the UQ project team include Dr Keen, Dr Sylvia Rodger (Head of Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), Michelle Braithwaite (PhD student), and Dr Anne Jobling (lecturer in special education, Schonell Special Education Research Centre).

Further information on the project can be obtained by contacting Dr Keen or Michelle Braithwaite at the Caroline Chisholm Centre on (07) 3255 0651. ?