Clinical Guides: Supporting children on the Autism Spectrum with minimal verbal language

About the Project

The Hopkins Centre (THC) in partnership with six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres from around Australia including long term collaboration the AEIOU Foundation, is proud to launch newly development Clinical Guides to support clinicians working with children on the Autism Spectrum who have minimal verbal language. The project, led by Associate Professor David Trembath, has involved clinicians and researchers from around Australia working together to understand communication development in children on the autism and to produce practical guides to support assessment, goal setting, intervention selection, and the measurement and reporting of progress.

Click here to view Clinical Guide One
Assessment for children on the Autism Spectrum who have minimal verbal language

This guide presents insights from clinicians working in early intervention about how to make the most of assessment. Drawing on clinical wisdom and grounded in research, the guide aims to inform and encourage discussion for enhancing practice. Including great practical strategies based on clinican insight, research evidence and evidence-based advice for early intervention professionals. Timely and accurate assessment is critical to understanding and helping children who are minimally verbal communicate.

Click here to view Clinical Guide Two
Goal Setting for children on the Autism Spectrum who have minimal verbal language

This guide presents insights from clinicians working in early intervention about the role of goal setting, and suggestions for how to go about the process, when working with young children on the autism spectrum with minimal verbal language (i.e., not yet speaking in phrases of 2 or more words by 2-3 years of age). This is the second in a set of four guides addressing assessment, goal setting, selecting interventions and strategies, and evaluating outcomes.

Click here to view Clinical Guide Three
Selecting interventions and strategies for children on the Autism Spectrum who have minimal verbal language

This is the third in a set of four guides, presenting insights from clinicians working in early intervention about choosing appropriate interventions and strategies for young children on the autism spectrum with minimal verbal language (i.e., not yet speaking in phrases of 2 or more words by 2-3 years of age), minimally verbal children on the autism spectrum. This guideline provides insights from clinical practice in support of good practice and intervention evidence.

Click here to view Clinical Guide Four
Evaluation and reporting outcomes for children on the Autism Spectrum who have minimal verbal language

This guide presents insights from clinicians working in early intervention about the role of evaluation and reporting when working with young children on the autism spectrum who are minimally verbal (i.e., not yet speaking in phrases of 2 or more words at 2-3 years of age). The guide provides information gathered as a basis for sound clinical decision making, gives parents feedback on their children’s progress, and documents the impact of interventions received.

Stay tuned to learn more about these guides and early childhood research projects at The Hopkins Centre.

The Hopkins Centre is proud to partner and collaborate with the following organisations in producing these Clinical Guidelines: