Specialized Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Renfrew offers specialized services for preschool aged children who have a diagnosis on the Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Spectrum and meet the criteria for funding through Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD). Services are intensive in nature with children receiving appropriate interventions from a multidisciplinary therapy team in the home environment.
The goal of the Specialized Autism Services (SAS) program is to help children improve their skills in all areas of daily living, including communication, socialization, self help, adaptive functioning, and physical and motor development. All programming is individualized based on the needs of the child and the family. Goals are worked on in an engaging and playful way that encourages the child to be active in the learning process. Parent involvement is a key part of the program.
Our SAS program incorporates the following approaches:
- Family centred
- Developmentally appropriate
- Play-based
- Culturally sensitive practices
The multidisciplinary therapy team may include child development facilitators, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
Individualized Support to Families
Efforts are made to ease the family stress that is often associated with having a child who has special needs. Workshops are offered throughout the year to all SAS families to provide up-to-date knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorders and the services available.
The team works to support families in creating positive and meaningful interactions with their child, both at home and in the community. Parents are supported as they take an active role working towards program goals and advocating for their child at school and in the community.