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ErinOakKids demo site for early autism intervention by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Thursday, May 26, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville's ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development, Infant and Child Development Services Peel and Dufferin is teaming up with Halton Region's Infant and Child Development Program (ICDP) to deliver naturalistic developmental intervention (NDI) for children as young as one, who show early signs of autism. The agencies successfully applied to be a demonstration site for Ontario's Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) as it explores intervention models that can be implemented at a very early age, according to a report discussed at Halton Region's health and social service committee May 10. Over a three-year period, the groups -- with ErinoakKids taking the lead -- will receive funding to train staff to deliver various NDI intensity levels. NDI, according to the report, could be used pro-actively, ahead of a definitive diagnosis, to reduce pressures experienced by the up to two-year wait times in Halton for other therapy types for children with autism, such as intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) and applied behaviour analysis. "The NDI that will be delivered in our area is ESI-SCERTS (Early Social International/Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support), a nine-month program Alex Sarchuk designed by Amy Wetherby, director of the Autism Institute at Florida State University," the report states. "It is most beneficial for children beginning treatment at ages 12-24 months. There is evidence this intervention can achieve significant positive outcomes." It also states many Halton children in the nine- to 24-month age range, who would be eligible for the project, are already supported by ICDP because of other presenting issues or risk factors. During discussion at the meeting, Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal asked staff for their thoughts on the reasons behind the growing number of children diagnosed with autism. The report stated one in 65 children is diagnosed with autism. It also reported new screening tools sensitive to the early markers in infants as young as six months old. Social and Community Services Commissioner Alex Sarchuk said he isn't aware of definitive data on the cause or prevalence of autism, he said he has heard earlier diagnoses could be contributing to autism rates. "I think one of the real challenges is the early diagnosis, and that's precisely what this training and these techniques that our staff and others will be trained on, supports," he said. "There's really a sweet spot for therapy intervention, which is really around the time of language acquisition around the ages of two to three years." "Unfortunately, the provincially-funded services, whether it's the intensive behavioural intervention, IBI primarily, there's significant waits in some communities for these services. So, this earlier intervention, well ahead of two years of age, is an opportunity to get that early diagnosis and perhaps through some therapeutic intervention, change the trajectory for those young persons," said Sarchuk. The commissioner noted staff is hopeful the pilot will create sound evidence to support earlier intervention and encourage the government to invest in that model. Committee members asked what NDI therapy would look like. Staff said it would be provided in a child's home, in their natural environment, so the family would be able to actively participate and see its application. Some research supports intervention in one's natural environment because "it's more easily generalized by the child because they're in that environment for more hours than they would be in a clinic per se," staff added. "As well, we get more significant outcomes when the caregivers are confident and competent in terms of reinforcing the strategies throughout the child's daily routines." The collaborating groups have already met with the ESI-SCERTS designer and initial training is forecast to start in September with evaluation to follow by the agencies. Meanwhile, families with autistic children continue to put pressure on the provincial government to make changes to its new Ontario Autism Program, which sees $333 million in funding over the next five years to provide more IBI services to children two to four years old, but gradually transition children five years and older, who are currently receiving IBI, to applied behaviour analysis (ABA) services. Parents argue autism doesn't end at five. On May 17, the Liberal government voted against the Progressive Conservative's motion to reinstate autism therapy for children over the age of five at Queen's Park in Toronto. INJURED? I Can Help! Skyway Jewellers YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca PLATINUM SpriNg/Summer ColleCtioN Now AvAilAble New Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law 2501 Third Line, Oakville 905-827-0700 www.skywayjewellers.com