The Saskatchewan Health Authority provides services to children with autism and their families. This includes home visits, recreational groups, therapeutic social groups, workshops, and support for children with a suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as those already diagnosed, and their families.
Autism Services
Victoria Square, 2345 – 10th Avenue West, Prince Albert
Autism Services Consultants
Phone: 306-765-6055
Fax: 306-765-6349
Programming
Depending on the need of the child and family, individual and group support is provided in areas such as:
ASD Support Workers
Provide play-based, early intervention and transition support for clients and their families.
- Work directly with ASD clients and their families
- Offer support to the client and family and organize activities to achieve goals
- Provide encouragement & emotional support for clients and families
- Promote community awareness and connections to other services
Resources
Autism Services provides support through:
- Workshops
- Parent/caregiver support groups
- Therapeutic & Social Skills groups
- Educational presentations for schools, daycares, caregivers, etc.
- Home visits
- ROCK (Recreational Opportunities Club for Kids) programs
- Summer camps
- Resource library
- Books & DVDs
- Past workshop presentations
- Parent/caregiver information
- Visual aids
- Storybooks
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
All children on the spectrum may not display symptoms the same way. Several of the observed behaviours of ASD may include:
Language Delay
- Echolalia speech - repeating words or phrases
- Communication Difficulties
Social difficulties
- Limited / inconsistent eye contact
- Difficulty reading social cues
Stereotypical Behaviours
- Repetitive movements, such as rocking, flapping hands, spinning
- Lining up or ordering toys, unusual use of toys
Challenging Behaviours
- Over activity
- Impulsivity and aggression
- Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine
Additional Challenging Behaviour
- Over / Under sensitivity to sensory input such as noises, light, touch, textures, and / or odors
- Unusual patterns in eating, drinking, and / or sleeping
- Little awareness of danger
General Strategies
- Keep a consistent routine or schedule as much as possible and teach skills to handle changes.
- Prepare your child in advance for changes in routine.
- Use visual schedules to explain routines.
- Use pictures combined with language and / or gestures to help with communication.
- Use specific and concrete language. Instead of saying “hold your horses”, say “Please wait”.
- Use social stories (stories about specific events) to help child understand situations and new events and how to cope.
- Teach skills one-step at a time.
- Practice school skills at home.
- Talk with your child’s teacher and other service providers regularly.