Therapy and Support Services for Children, Adolescents and Adults living with Autism/ASD

ISADD provides a holistic, evidence based service to children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other related disabilities. Advice and support is also provided to families and carers and we regard parents as essential partners in achieving positive change. All interventions are based on behavioural strategies such as Applied Behaviour Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which are individualized and tailored to meet needs and are evaluated regularly. Strategies are reviewed, modified and revised as new evidence suggests.

ISADD was established in 1994 in Perth. Western Australia by Jura Tender and Jennifer Bolland, and was the first provider to offer ABA based early intervention services in Australia and South East Asia, based on the Lovaas model, as both principals had studied under I.O. Lovaas. Today ISADD provides modern ABA, and is responsive to new evidence as it becomes available. ISADD also has expanded services to all age groups given the obvious need, and has established bases in other countries, although Perth remains ISADD’s Head Office.

ISADD provides the following services

• Home based Early Behavioural Intervention covering all aspects of development
• Social, educational and emotional support for school aged children
• Counselling and habilitation training for Adolescents and young Adults
• Differential diagnostic assessments at all age levels
• Consultancy to families, schools and carer organizations

ISADD’s philosophy

ISADD bases its intervention strategies on the following concepts which are supported by thorough research data:

• Developmentally delayed children need to progress at a rate which will allow opportunity to “catch up” to the best of their individual abilities.
• Learning theory and behavioural methodology offers the most effective and efficient way to teach and to change behaviours. Discrete Trial Training presented at speed and with intensity (Lovaas style ABA) has been demonstrated to be the most effective form of intervention.
• Appropriate early intervention has made considerable inroads into the progress of disabilities such as Autism, with many gaining significant symptom relief. However it is never too late to start, as intervention will always help.
• It is never too late to learn and to change if the person is willing. CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is a powerful change agent supported by data.
• People with ASD are visual thinkers and with visual supports they are able to learn more effectively.
• Social and family support is most helpful when striving to achieve change. For children this means the involvement of parents as partners.