Autism Spectrum Disorder Adelaide
Autism Disorder Solution In Adelaide
If you are a parent or carer of an ASD child living or seeking services in Adelaide, New Paradigm Living is here to help. Our services run through a multidisciplinary team which provides the best possible support for any child. We are proud to be one of the few practice areas in Australia that can connect you with professionals who have had first-hand experience dealing with children on the spectrum, who are trained as behavior analysts and also qualified psychologists and social workers who specialize in working with children on the spectrum.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)In Adelaide is a type of developmental disability which develops before the age of three. The diagnosis of ASD should be confirmed by a trained professional, including a Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Pediatrician. New Paradigm Living will help to coordinate the health professionals involved in your care, using appropriate GP Mental Health Care Plans and Chronic Disease Management Plans where needed. We understand that this may involve finding an autism specialist who has sufficient skills in diagnostic criteria. We cannot change what you think about yourself, but can make it much easier for people around us to feel less alone; at least once every few years!
At New Paradigm Living, we provide behavioral therapy in Adelaide for children, adolescents and families in the form of social psychology
For Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adelaide
What Can We Offer?
- In clinic or off-site visit behavioral therapy
- Individual family support letter writing (school, pediatrician, external support)
- Eco systems behavior support plan (individual, family and external supports)
- Resource development (visuals, routine schedule plans, social stories)
- School/kindy visits (transition/re-entry/behavior plan meetings)
- NDIS progress report writing and applications
- NDIS support coordination
A paradigm shift in pediatric behavioral therapy
In kindy I needed support to learn how to play and this often involved setting me up with activities where I would use toys independently. In reception, I was enrolled in a private school where I first experienced the label ‘naughty boy’. At five years old I began to dread being sent to the Principal’s office and was often sent there crying. After 3 terms of this, we were encouraged to leave the school. I then transitioned to Montessori learning. Although the new education approach did assist me in ways, ultimately the same situation occurred whereby my impulsive behaviors led to parents demanding the naughty boy removed. The rejection I felt was significant. Finally, I arrived in a public school in year 3 where a balance of structure and stimulation was achieved. In year 4, I had the good fortune of having an excellent teacher who encouraged us to have me assessed for Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D). After a two-week placebo trial, my teachers believed if the second week was the real thing, we will take it. After commencing medication my concentration time doubled and my learning reflected this, particularly in reading and writing (memory and math skill were still rubbish, however this is often the case with an executive function disorder). Fortunately, from this point on I was able to complete my schooling and form strong peer relationships that I maintain to this day.
Considering academic accolades were not a thing for me (yet*), most of my self-worth came from sport and I spent most waking hours participating in some way. Nevertheless, the time came to grow up. Fast forward 10 years and after having every process/labor job under the sun, I was still clueless as to what my purpose was in terms of adulting. Aside from the obvious fact that one needs to earn a wage to live, I was also dealing with the issue of having a hidden disability and the pervasive societal misunderstanding that I was dumb or lazy.
All people have value and worth and we deserve to know it. For me, my pathway to purpose was when I followed my sister’s advice to enroll in Foundation Studies at UniSA (hesitant to be sure*) and I discovered that my adult brain had far less background noise (friends, sports, girls, cars etc.) than my adolescent brain! Obviously, to my delight and amazement, I began to turn in work worthy of high marks, and it became clear that my strength was, and always has been human interaction.
Disability does not define people, or their identity. What defines us is our resilience to persevere when we are faced with hurdles and rejection. As parents, support persons, family and friends, we all have a role to play in building the reflective armor in young people that they will need to grow. This is what I call, new paradigm living. – by Samuel Weightman
TESTIMONIALS
What clients say about us
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