Welcome to The L.E.A.R.N. Foundation for Autism
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.
LEARN Education Program
L.E.A.R.N. offers a one on one Education Program - an academic, evidence based, measureable and individually tailored teaching approach for children with learning challenges and at educational risk incorporating Precision Teaching, Direct Instruction and other evidence based methodologies.
The Education Program runs primarily in after-school hours and covers literacy, numeracy and academic readiness.
Limited places are available in the program which first commenced in January 2009. Registrations for the program are via academic assessment and availability of places. The first 3 weeks of the program is dedicated to assessing a child in an individualised one on one program with the aim of eventually grouping together up to 4 children in our Focussed Classroom Program.
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.
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.
