PACT - Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy
What is PACT?
Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is an evidence-based program where we work in partnership with caregivers of children with social-communication delays or differences (primarily autistic children) to support their social communication skills.
How does PACT work?
PACT therapists use specific video feedback techniques to help caregivers recognise, respond to and enhance your child’s communication. The aim is to improve communication by supporting you to embed communication techniques that we tailor to your child’s individual strengths and needs into daily family life.
Throughout PACT, children are supported to develop their interaction and communication skills in their natural environment, which is one of the most effective ways of ensuring enduring improvements in social communication skills.
PACT is available face-to-face in our clinics or via telehealth.
Who is PACT suitable for?
At CliniKids, PACT is available to children aged 2-8 years experiencing social communication challenges. PACT has been found to be beneficial for children across a range of communication levels, including those children who have not yet developed verbal language, as well as children speaking in sentences.
Discover the many benefits of PACT and how it works in this blog.
ESDM – Early Start Denver Model
What is the ESDM?
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive, evidence-based early support approach for young autistic children. The ESDM aims to promote a child’s development across all domains, including expressive and receptive language, joint attention, imitation, cognition, play and social skills, and fine and gross motor skills.
How does the ESDM work?
The ESDM utilises a range of strategies to teach a developmental curriculum to young autistic children in a naturalistic, play-based manner. In the ESDM, complex behaviours are broken down into discrete teaching steps which are taught in play and social interactions. Multiple skills are targeted in each play period by a trained clinician.
Who is the ESDM suitable for?
The ESDM has been developed to support children diagnosed with or showing early signs of autism from 12 months of age up until age 5.
JASPER - Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation
What is JASPER?
The Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement & Regulation (JASPER) approach is a therapy approach designed for preschool and school-aged autistic children and other children who have differences in play and social communication skills.
How does JASPER work?
JASPER uses behavioural principles, along with naturalistic strategies, to teach children skills that lay the foundation for social communication. Clinicians work directly with the child through play-based sessions. The therapy involves an initial assessment, followed by 45-60 minute sessions, once per week. JASPER is usually delivered as a ‘block,’ meaning it is delivered intensively for a set time period (often three months), rather than the child receiving JASPER on an ongoing basis. The clinician uses strategies including imitating, modelling, adjusting the environment, and expanding on play routines and language to achieve goals.
Who is JASPER suitable for?
JASPER is suitable for preschool and school-aged autistic children with a range of play abilities, including children who are at an exploring level of play (e.g., banging, or mouthing toys) to those who can use pretend skills in play (e.g., pretending a block is a piece of food and feeding it to a doll, or role playing). JASPER is suitable for children who are pre-verbal, to those who speak in sentences, and is available at CliniKids up until age 8.
CO-OP - Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance
What is the CO-OP approach?
The Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach is a problem-solving approach designed for children (and adults) who experience difficulties with performing the skills they want to or need to perform. The CO-OP approach guides children to independently discover and develop cognitive strategies to perform the necessary tasks of everyday living. This may involve learning how to tie your own hair, skip, handwrite, tie shoelaces, or ride a bike. CO-OP is based on theories of motor learning.
How does CO-OP work?
CO-OP is an individualised client-centred program that encourages the child to take the lead and be meaningfully involved in their own therapy sessions, including developing their own goals and plans to achieve these. The therapist uses a process of guided discovery to help the child think of their own strategies through questioning and not telling.
Who is the CO-OP approach suitable for?
CO-OP is suitable for children over the age of 5 years who experience motor difficulties and who are able to set their own goals, are able to problem solve and come up with their own strategies.