Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental difference that is either congenital or emerges in the first years of life. It is characterized by a delay or deviation in the development of verbal and non-verbal skills necessary for social interaction. This is often accompanied by repetitive movements and limited interests. Autism Spectrum Disorder is four times more common in boys than in girls. Although it is not yet clear what causes Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are many studies suggesting a genetic influence.
Assessment
First Meeting
The first interview takes place face-to-face or online. The scope of the interview is to answer the families’ questions, ask questions to understand how we can help them and provide information about our working model.
Assessment
After the initial interview, an assessment appointment is scheduled. The assessment takes place in the home environment as it provides an opportunity for the individual to demonstrate and observe his/her existing performance in familiar people and settings. The main purpose of the assessment is to illuminate the individual’s strengths and abilities and to assess areas in need of improvement. In addition to the information obtained from families and observations made during the assessment, developmental tests such as GOBDÖ 2 TV, AGTE, Small Steps, Portage, Denver II Developmental Screening Inventory are utilized.
Report Preparation
As a result of the observations, information received from the family and the assessment, a report is shared with the families that identifies the individual’s strengths and competencies, and assesses their difficulties and areas of development. In addition, there is extensive information about a proposed individualized education program for the individual’s skills, which includes these areas.
Preparing Programmes
The completion of the assessment process does not mean that the counselling is completed. With the beginning of counselling, families contribute to the positive continuation of the counselling by providing information about their children’s strengths, weaknesses and the aspects they observe developing.
In line with the evaluations and observations made, an individualised programme and methods to be applied are determined in accordance with the age, individual characteristics of the individual, the needs of the family, the context and culture in which the individual is located.
Motivations that will increase the desired behaviours of the individual or decrease the undesired behaviours are discovered and this discovery is updated throughout the entire counselling process.
Appropriate scientific methods are determined for the acquisition of the skills determined for the individual and the family. Families follow the individual’s session for at least one session a week and then receive feedback from the counsellor while working one-to-one to improve their application skills. Thus, they contribute to the generalisation of the knowledge and skills learned by their children in their daily lives.
Individual counselling will be effective and permanent with the family’s involvement in the process. Meerkat Counselling not only offers scientific and high-quality counselling: it also teaches family members how to continue in everyday life.