After a diagnosis which involves identifying an individual’s difficulties and differences, we can have a better understanding and appreciation of each person, their strengths and interests, and how to best support them.

Acceptance is key!

Autism is a behavioural disorder but support can include skills building, developing alternate means of communication and making adjustments in the environment at home, school or community to suit individual needs.

A multidisciplinary approach can be very helpful with supporting behaviour. In general:

  • Psychologists can help with the various social, emotional and behavioural needs of people with autism.
  • Speech Therapists can help with understanding language abilities, language acquisition and social skills.
  • Occupational Therapists can help with understanding gross and fine motor abilities, sensory differences and regulation of energy.

Communication between parents, carers, teachers, families, therapists and any other support people is highly recommended for understanding, consistency and best outcomes.

You can access many therapies in our Centre for Autism.

What is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapists are allied health professionals who assist individuals improve their ability to do the everyday things that they want or need to do. Here at the Luke Priddis Foundation, our Occupational Therapists work with children, adolescents, and young adults who have Autism and/ or other diagnoses to help improve their independence in life skills. Our therapists work individually with children to reach their personal goals (through assessment and ongoing therapy). Our Occupational Therapists collaborate with families to ensure holistic therapy is delivered.

Your child is encouraged to see an Occupational Therapist if they present difficulty with any of the following:

Activities of Daily Living Skills Self-care, mealtime, using cutlery, sleep hygiene, daily routine, dressing, tying shoelaces, brushing teeth, hair brushing, and hair washing.
Social-Emotional Health Turn-Taking, sharing, play skills, initiating conversation, perspective taking, and joining in groups.
Fine Motor Skills Handwriting, drawing, using scissors, manipulating objects, hand grasp, and hand strength.
Gross motor skills Balance, core strength, hand coordination, upper and lower limb coordination, bouncing a ball, kicking a ball, throwing a ball, running, and jumping.
Processing Sensory Input Heightened sensitivity to touch, sound, and movement, preferences with certain textures e.g. restrictive eating.

What is a Psychologist?

Psychologists assist individuals who are struggling with difficult thoughts and feelings or who may be struggling with their mental health. We can assist people in learning how to identify and cope with strong or confusing emotions, thoughts, or behavioural impulses.

Here at the Luke Priddis Foundation, we work with children, adolescents and young adults who have Autism in order to help them build awareness and understanding around their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

We help promote independence through helping individuals set goals, understand their own minds and behaviours, and learn important life skills in problem solving, perspective taking and communicating emotional needs. Our psychologists work individually with children and also collaboratively through family involvement.

What is a Speech Therapist?

Speech Pathologists are Allied Health Professionals who work with anyone who has difficulty communicating or swallowing.  At the Luke Priddis Foundation, our Speech pathologists specialise in paediatrics and have special interests in supporting individuals with complex needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability and other diagnoses. Our therapists primarily provide services at our clinic, however, can also provide home and school visits to support their clients. They ensure holistic service through working in collaboration with the caregivers, school teachers and other professionals who support the individual. 

Our Speech Pathologists can help support individuals who have difficulty with:  

  • Speech sounds – e.g. trouble making and combining sounds in words, lisps.   
  • Receptive language – e.g. understanding what others say and following directions.  
  • Expressive language – e.g. using language to express wants or needs.  
  • Alternative and Augmentative Communication – e.g using no technology (e.g. key word sign language) low technology ( e.g. images, communication boards) and high technology devices (e.g. ipads, LAMP devices) to assist people who are non-verbal to communicate with those around them.  
  • Literacy skills – e.g. reading, writing 
  • Social skills -e.g. perspective taking, emotional vocabulary, holding conversations, interpreting body language and facial expression, understanding non-literal language.  
  • Stuttering – e.g. repetitions, prolongations or blocks in spoken communication.  
  • Voice – e.g. vocal qualities such as hoarseness, breathiness or support individuals post vocal cord surgery.  
  • Swallowing – e.g. supports with consuming food or liquids for individuals with structural or neurological difficulties.  

If you would like to access our therapies and join our waitlist, please click HERE to complete our form.