Autism Early Intervention Program
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About the Autism Early Intervention Program
The Autism Early Intervention Service Provider Panel is an initiative of the Federal government providing increased access to a range of evidence based services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Novita is one of the South Australian agencies on the Provider Panel and is able to offer children and parents services funded through this initiative. The service is in addition to existing services funded by the federal and state governments including the Helping Children with Autism Package.
Requests for service
Requests for Autism Early Intervention services from Novita should be directed to the Central Intake team
Phone: 1800 337 443
Fax (08) 8243 8361
Send an online message to the Central Intake Team
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Eligibility for services
The Early Intervention program supports children aged 0-6 years who have been diagnosed in Australia with ASD (regardless of whether or not they have commenced school).
From the child’s sixth birthday until they turn seven years of age special consideration may be given which would allow continued access to the funding. This will be determined by an Autism Advisor on a case-by-case basis.
Priority is given to eligible children in the year immediately prior to starting formal school. The second priority is eligible children in the two years prior to starting formal school.
Families access the service through the Autism Advisor at Autism SA by visiting their website or by phoning 1300 288 476.
The role of the Autism Advisor is to
- determine eligibility for services
- link families in to government funding and
- provide information on the range of services and providers on the Early Intervention Service Provider Panel so that families can choose which services they use.
Services available
Services include individual home and centre based sessions, group sessions for children and parent education groups. The program focuses on:
- behavioural interventions - application of learning theory and skill development
- developmental and social learning interventions - building relationships and development of social emotional capacities
- therapy based interventions – communication and social development and sensory motor development
- family based interventions including parent education sessions such as It Takes Two to Talk - The Hanen Program for Parents, Makaton signing, Promoting positive behavior and Power play.
Novita is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the primary presenter for the Early Days autism workshops in South Australia. Along with therapeutic services it will now be providing these workshops across the metropolitan and regional areas. The Early Days workshops are designed for parents of children that are on waiting lists for an autism diagnosis, early in the diagnostic process or have a child that is newly diagnosed. If you want to read more about when and where workshops are being presented:
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Location
Staff are based at Novita’s Parafield Gardens office. Services may be provided at this or other Novita offices, community locations or home based services.
Schedule of fees
Families have access to up to $12,000 (maximum of $6000, per year) which is allocated by the Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCHSIA) to cover the costs of this service.
View Novita's schedule of fees.
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Role of Autism EI Program staff
Novita employs occupational therapy, speech pathology and psychology staff to deliver these services.
More information about the Federal Government’s Helping Children with Autism Package
The Early Intervention Service Provider Panel will:
- provide increased access to evidence based early intervention services for children with ASD
- provide choice and flexibility for families
- link families with information, support and early intervention.
The program is part of the Federal Government’s Helping Children with Autism Package, which includes:
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Your feedback
Let us know what you think about our service.
Contact details
Send an online message to the Autism Program
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