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Welcome to L.E.A.R.N. early intervention

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Based in Perth, Western Australia, L.E.A.R.N. is an independent provider of ABA based therapy services for young children having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or developmental delay.

Extensive controlled studies have shown that the most effective therapy for autism is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), performed  across various settings and in the home with the active involvement of parents and family members. We focus on teaching these ABA skills to parents, while also providing therapists with broad experience in the treatment of children with autism to complete the therapy program.

The L.E.A.R.N. centre in East Fremantle is operated by The LEARN Foundation for Autism Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. 

 

 

Playgroups

L.E.A.R.N. has recently been awarded the right to host a PlayConnect Playgroup at our centre in East Fremantle.

PlayConnect playgroups are designed to connect families and caregivers of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (or children that display signs of an ASD). Full details are contained in the attached Information Booklet.

L.E.A.R.N. is not responsible for allocating a place to families in the Play Group, this is the responsibility of Susan Teather at Playgroup WA.  She can be contacted on 9228 8088 if you are interested in attending.

The first Playgroup commences this Monday 19th October at 9.00am upstairs atthe  L.E.A.R.N. centre at 217 Canning Highway, East Fremantle. If you are interested in attending, please contact Susan Teather and she will provide the necessary information.

The Playgroup will be facilitated by our Playgroup Co-ordinator, Jodie McKenna, who has substantial experience in working with children with autism. Jodie will facilitate the group and assist with any questions or information you may require, however it should be noted that the goal of the playgroup is to connect parents and not to provide intervention or therapy to the children.


 

LEARN Education Program

We are very pleased to announce that the L.E.A.R.N. Education Program, an academic, evidence based, measureable and individually tailored teaching approach for children with learning challenges and at educational risk. The Education Program will run in after-school hours and will cover literacy, numeracy and academic readiness.

Limited places are available in the program which commenced in January 2009. Registrations are also now being accepted for school term 4, 2009.  The first 3 weeks of term is dedicated to assessing a child in an individualised program with the aim of grouping together up to 4 children in our Focussed Classroom Program.

The next information evening to be held at L.E.A.R.N. will be in early October for registrations for term 4 of 2009. All parents and teachers are welcome to attend.  

 

 

Service Provider Panel Membership

L.E.A.R.N. is pleased to announce that it has been accepted as a member of the Early Intervention Service Provider Panel, which allows parents to access up to $6,000 of funding per year for two years. To qualify, children must have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, be younger than 7 years of age and not be in full time compulsory school.

 

 

Helping Children with Autism - Medicare items

Affordable access to accurate and early diagnosis and early intervention treatment is important for children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). The Australian Government recognises this need and is funding new Medicare items for diagnosis and treatment services for children with PDD from 1 July 2008.

The Medicare items will be available through the $190 million Helping Children with Autism Package for children aged under 13 years (for diagnosis and treatment planning) and under 15 years (for treatment).

A number of non-Medicare programs will also be funded through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to be progressively rolled out from 1 July 2008.

 

 

The importance of early diagnosis

Studies indicate that the earlier a child with autism commences therapy, the more effective that therapy is likely to be. It appears that there is a window of opportunity between the ages of 2 and 5, during which a child’s brain is sufficiently adaptable that many of the deficits of autism can be reduced or corrected by intensive therapy. Once past this age, however, the benefits of therapy reduce, and although gains can be made, they tend not to be as great.

This limited timespan during which substantial gains can be made means that early diagnosis is a critical factor in determining the outcome of a  therapy program. Often parents and GPs will take a ‘wait and see’ approach, on the assumption that problems seen at 18-24 months will correct with time. In many cases this approach results in further regression and increased stress on the family. Unfortunately it also results in the loss of valuable time.

If you have a young child whose development is causing concern, particularly if they have lost skills or speech that they had previously demonstrated, it is essential that they be seen by a developmental paediatrician as soon as possible. An early diagnosis of autism, while devastating to the parents, is preferable to neglecting the problem and losing the opportunity to address and potentially correct the deficits of autism.