Autism                   

Clinic Services

It is well documented throughout the research, that children with ASD often present with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the use of Sensory Integration therapy for children with ASD and SPD with evidence to support its effectiveness particularly with regard to improvement in function and independence skills.

 

Many parents, teachers and professionals report positive effects for their children, which have also been validated by research findings.

 

All of the OTs working in The Sunflower Clinic are trained in the application of Sensory Integration as a frame of reference when treating children with ASD.

 

The Sunflower Clinic also provides a nationally recognised private diagnostic ASD assessment in conjunction with a Clinical Psychologist and a Speech and Language Therapist.  This includes the DISCO and the ADOS.

 

The Sunflower Clinic is pleased to announce that it will be taking part in the forthcoming conference on Autism to be held in Cork in 2011. Details here.

 

What is Autism?

Autism is a behaviourally based disorder with wide variances in expression, ranging from the very severely involved, to those who appear only mildly affected or nearly normal. Many conditions or syndromes fall under the spectrum. Some conditions have characteristics in common, and others have characteristics unique to only a particular disorder. This is whay it is often referred to as "Autisitic Spectrum Disorder".

 

In general, however, autism is characterised by:

• difficulties in social interactions
• delays or difficulties in both verbal and non-verbal communication
• by repetitive or stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interest and activities
• a definite pattern of behaviour with food
• by a lack of or abnormal symbolic or imaginative play.

 

Autism can exist with any other condition. It crosses all racial, ethnic and social boundaries. It occurs four times more often in boys than in girls and typically appears during the first 3 years of life.

 

For more information, please contact the clinic on 021 4321 729