Kicking Off 2023 With Our Regional Intensive Therapy Program!
This January we held our Regional Intensive Therapy program where families from regional WA came to Perth for a week of therapy, workshops, parent and carer catch ups, family time and a whole lot of play and learning!
We welcomed back some familiar faces as well as getting to know families who are new to the program! If you haven’t heard about this program, it’s delivered to two groups, one for children aged up to 7 and one for kids who are aged between 8 and 13, all tailored to meet their learning goals. You can find out more about the Regional Intensive Therapy program here.
Throughout the week we held one-on-one consultations, group therapy sessions, parent and carer workshops, planning sessions and at the end of the program we celebrated everyone’s achievements throughout the week. Some families take the opportunity to connect with family and have fun in Perth while they are away from home.
At the end of the week, we spoke to some of the families about their experience with the program and what they think other families might like to know if they are considering joining us in the future.
Meet Ethan’s Family
Ethan told us about some of the activities he enjoyed throughout the week. Favourites were making apple crumble, fruit kebabs and smores and doing an egg drop! He said “Everyone else’s got a crack, but we didn’t! We put a parachute and bubble wrap on top with lots of safety things.”
Ethan added that he got to catch up with an old friend and meet a new one too. He said “It’s fun and we get to do a lot of fun stuff and have an enjoyable day.”
Ethan’s parents Kelly and Bryn said, “It gives Ethan the opportunity to have an intensive week of therapy where he gets to build on the strategies to meet his goals.
It’s an opportunity for us as his parents to do face to face training and also connect and share experiences with other families, and hear their experiences and throw ideas around – things like NDIS, therapy services, telehealth, siblings, parenting – the whole lot.”
Meet Kieran’s Family
Kieran and his family have attended the program 11 times. Nicole and Rick, Kieran’s parents said, “We would highly recommend it. We like the continuity in therapists and also the therapy that they provide the kids. The therapists talk to us to compliment with what support we need at home and school. They also provide that one-to-one support as well as shared therapy as well – I think there’s benefit from both of those.”
When they return home, Kieran’s family provide notes and their planning matrix from the week to the therapists back home. “The therapists back home find those summaries beneficial to see where he’s at and what he’s learned.”
On a final note, Nicole said, “I think the Autism Association has been key in helping him grow with regulating his emotions and social skills. It’s allowed him to participate in school events and community events – he’s been able to contribute individually. It’s been really nice to reflect back this week to see the progress he has made.”
Take a look at more photos from the week below! And head to our Regional Intensive Therapy program webpage to learn more and express your interest in the next one!
