A new service for those suffering from autism has opened its doors here.
Autism Behavioural Services, operated by behaviour therapist Freya Hunter, hosted its official opening on May 2 at its new office at 855 St. David Street North.
The therapist, who made the move from Guelph to Fergus due to an increase in clients, offers services for people from two to 18 years of age.
“It’s basically teaching kids functional skills,” she told the Advertiser at the opening. “Once they learn that they can function throughout life.”
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism typically causes difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communications, social interaction and leisure and play activities.
Hunter said some of her clients are students with difficulty concentrating in a classroom setting.
She said one client, who had difficulties in school, now manages to stay in class for part of the day after getting skills training.
“I have one guy who can’t be in school. He’s incredibly violent and he puts holes in the walls,” she said.
“We’ve been gradually reducing his time with us and spending more time in school. Our goal is to give these kids as many functional skills so they can be in school.”
Teaching functional skills involves a process where the therapist, parent or caregiver learns how to systematically reward or reinforce the desired behavior, and ignore, redirect or discourage inappropriate behaviours.
“Also central to any well-run behavioural program is the therapist’s close monitoring of what is working and what is not working,” Hunter states in her service brochure.
“Data pertaining to the learning of each child is recorded regularly, and the therapist adjusts the teaching programs protocol with respect to what the data indicates about the child’s progress.
“We explain every single program we have with the parent and the expectation is that they will follow through.”
The service currently has five therapists and 58 clients.
Hunter said classes are tailored to the individual parent, caregiver and client needs.
“If the need is there we’ll open,” Hunter said of irregular hours.
Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj welcomed the new business.
“Thank you for being here and providing a lovely service to our community,” the mayor said.
