Autism Consultant in Gippsland region assists support workers

Advice is now on hand for support workers and organisations assisting people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Gippsland region.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Case Consultant Practitioner, Toni Seiler aims to strengthen the ASD expertise of local case managers and other support workers by offering a variety of resources, information and direct support.

“Autism Spectrum Disorder affects approximately 1 out of 160 people aged between 6 and 12 years of age.  These disorders are lifelong and impact the person, their families and the people who support them,” said Toni Seiler, a speech pathologist who has worked in the Gippsland region for the past 25 years.

“An increased understanding of this complex disorder will help support workers provide the best service possible to people with an ASD, their families and carers,” she said.

Over the next 12 months, Toni will provide a series of information sessions for staff in community service organisations.  These sessions can take place at the support workers’ place of employment or via online support through internet-based forums. Toni is also available for individual consultation to case managers and support workers.

For more information on the ASD information sessions, resources or consultations, please phone the Scope Gippsland Regional Office on T: (03) 5623 1033.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that includes Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified. People with ASD have impairments in three areas.

• Communication. They may have delayed language, echo speech, or have problems initiating interaction and conversation.
• Social Interaction: This includes problems with eye contact, knowing about personal boundaries, making and keeping friends, understanding how to take turns in an interaction.
• Repetitive or Restrictive Behaviour: They may have obsessive themes, very rigid ways of thinking or behaving, use of repetitive actions (such as flapping), and have sensory challenges (eg fear of loud noises, unable to eat food of a particular texture, etc).

For more Information

For more information see Autism Spectrum Disorder Case Consultant Practitioners.