Help for children with autism

MEDIA RELEASE

TO: Phillip Island Advertiser, Sentinel Times, Foster Mirror, Pakenham Gazette, Waterline News, Bass Coast Post, The Paper, ABC Gippsland

DATE: May 27, 2020

FOR RELEASE: Immediate

Title: Help for children with autism

Families with children with autism are not alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bass Coast Health Social Worker Fiona Matthews-Gullace said children with autism may be extra prone to feeling the distress created by the isolation and change in usual routine. She has these tips for parents and their children to help ease the impact of lockdown:

• Maintain a routine. Keeping a predictable routine helps children feel secure during times of uncertainty. Children with autism spectrum disorder are often visual learners so using visual aids which depict the daily schedule can help keep children on task and reduce anxiety.

• Ensure regular breaks. During break times children can take part in some gentle exercise like yoga or stretching or more vigorous activity like running to help them burn off surplus energy.

• If a child is prone to distraction during class time, a short movement break can help them to refocus.

• Manage potential conflict between siblings by intervening early through the use of distraction, redirection or by maintaining close proximity.

• Have realistic expectations about what can be achieved during the day.

• Most of all take care of yourself. You’re doing the best you can during these

  unprecedented times.

  Fiona is looking forward to resuming group sessions for the Being AUsome program, however telephone and telehealth consultations are still available.

  The Being AUsome program aims to address gaps in service provision for children and adolescents aged between 8-17 years on the autism spectrum who may have missed out on early intervention services or who may need additional support.

  To be eligible for this service, young people must reside within the Bass Coast area and attend a mainstream educational facility or be home-schooled.

“A child could be experiencing anxiety or depression and may benefit from some individual counselling or they might need help with social skills. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic we were also offering social skills groups,” Fiona said.

She is now calling for expressions of interest in the Secret Agent Society small group program for children aged between 8-12 years which she hopes to run later this year.

She has also recently completed the facilitator training for the PEERS program, a social skills program which was featured in the ABC documentary series Love on the Spectrum earlier this year.

Fiona would be delighted to hear from any adolescents 13-17 years who are interested in participating in the PEERS group program.

For further information or to lodge your expression of interest, please contact 5951 2100.

Bass Coast Health Social Worker Fiona Matthews-Gullace.

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