What is the Autism Team?
The SCCR, as a
centre of expertise, offers province-wide support.
Many children travel to Fredericton for services such as in-depth,
team-based assessment, program development or review, or feeding intervention.
Services may include short appointments of a few hours to stays of 2 to 3
days, during which children receive daily therapy.
We also do outreach visits to communities around the province.
Who are the
members of the Autism Team?
We are a newly established interdisciplinary team specializing in the
provision of rehabilitation services for children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders. Our staff includes
professionals in the fields of occupational therapy, dietetics, speech-language
pathology, developmental paediatrics, and behavioural analysis.
When our team is complete it will also include psychology.
As well, the team has the resources of an Education Liaison Officer who is a
member of the Provincial Paediatric Team at SCCR.
What is the goal of the Autism Team?
Our goal is to help children to maximize their potential.
We work together as a team to find effective and practical solutions to
meet children’s needs.
Who does the Autism Team treat?
We have a
provincial mandate and therefore serve the entire province of New Brunswick.
Service to our clients is provided in their language of choice (French or
English). We see children from birth to adolescence.
We do not carry
a caseload of our own. Rather, we provide
assistance to caregivers, rehabilitation providers and teachers who are working
with these children on a regular basis.
Our team can help by providing consultation or training.
We also offer comprehensive interdisciplinary assessments to guide
intervention and contribute to diagnosis. We support children's rehabilitation
programs by providing short periods of intensive therapy or by visiting children
in their own school or home.
How are clients referred to the Autism Team?
We accept
referrals from therapists,
schools, and individuals, with a signature from the child's physician.
All referrals must be accompanied by medical and therapeutic
documentation. After we receive a referral, parents are contacted in order to
help us to understand their child’s needs as much as possible.
With permission from parents, we may speak directly with those
professionals involved with the child on a regular basis.
If the referral is appropriate for our Team, we then decide which team
members would be best able to help the child.
We also decide the length of visit that is required.
The child is prioritized for services according to the urgency of his or
her needs.
What services are offered by the Autism Team?
Before a visit,
we consult with caregivers and professionals.
During the visit, designated members of the team work together, focusing
on those areas most needing assistance.
The result is a verbal summary to caregivers, followed by a written
report describing our impressions and recommendations.
We may also
provide treatment or training materials such as pictures, handouts, or a
videotape of therapy sessions. We
encourage caregivers and local professionals to attend appointments at the Stan
Cassidy Centre in order to optimize treatment planning and facilitate
communication between all of the people involved in a child’s daily life.
Video and teleconferencing options are also employed to enhance
communication.
What is the
cost of services?
There is no
cost for services for residents of New
Brunswick
with a valid Medicare Card.
Paediatric Autism
Rehabilitation Services
Brochure
Contact Information:
Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation
Attn: Autism Team
800 Priestman Street
Fredericton,
New Brunswick
E3B 0C7
Phone: 506-452-5225
Fax: 506-443-2600