The Flashcards Early Intervention Program

Page 1 of 3 The Flashcards Early Intervention Program A new early intervention strategy created by a mum from Wollongong is helping parents of kids with learning difficulties give their children a better future Everyone knows that early intervention is a key strategy for securing the best possible outcomes for a child with autis . What’s less lea is e a tl hat that i te e tio should i ol e a d ho is est e uipped to provide it. In the chaos that follows a diagnosis the rush to provide effective early intervention can seem like yet another pressure on already overloaded parents. Because autism is a spectrum disorder there are a number of care providers involved in early intervention, from occupational and speech therapists to ps hiat ists a d eha io al the apists, a d ea h of the osts o e . That’s without taking into account the various quack remedies espoused by some of the more dubious service providers who p e o ul e a le pa e ts still eeli g f o thei hild’s diag osis. These were just some of the hurdles encountered by mum Melody. The e eall is ’t a lot of suppo t, u til ou sta t i i g i the ight i les, she e plai s. A epti g the e is o cure was one of the hardest things for me because as a pa e t, ou’ e just despe ate. Fo Melod the ight i les e e p edo i a tl g oups he e she ould eet othe othe ’s ith autisti also made it her personal mission to learn as much as she ould a out he so ’s o ditio . hild e . She Page 2 of 3 The e’s so u h e still do ’t k o a out autis , ut o e of the thi gs e do k o is that people ho suffe f o it lea isuall , she sa s. That always made se se to e. It’s like he ou he k hat’s i your fridge before you go to the supe a ket. You ake a isual list of hat ou eed, ased o hat ou a a d a ’t see. This realization led Melody to start compiling flashcards that she could use with her son. She soon realized that most of the images available for download on the internet are too busy for autistic children, who are easily distracted by detailed or fussy backgrounds. She also found it hard to find any materials on how to use the cards to achieve the best outcomes, while ensuring the sessions stayed fun and (more importantly) engaging. There followed a period of intensive research and resource gathering that eventually led to the creation of The Flashcards, a system of more than 700 color-coded picture cards complete with program guides on how to use them. M so e t f o o - e al to e al usi g this s ste , e plai s Melod , a d I’ e hea d si ila sto ies f o people ho ha e used the . othe But just as important as the learning potential are the opportunities The Flashcards provides for interaction between autisti hild e a d thei pa e ts. It gi es pa e ts the ha e to k o hat thei hild k o s, e plai s Melod . I’ e tried really hard to keep it affordable for parents so they can participate fully in the diagnosis and treatment of their child. It gi es the the tools the eed to e gage the , ut it ight also sa e the so e o e . As a o e ith a autisti hild k o s, it’s a ostl usi ess. A p e-treatment, diagnostic session with a speech therapist can cost upwards of $400, a d that’s just o e of ou tless the apies e o e ded as pa t of ea l i te e tio . Through the teaching notes included with the cards, the Flashcards gives parents the opportunity to do as much as they possibly can themselves. Fo e, fa the ost effe ti e st ateg as just to e o e as a a e as I possi l ould, e plai s Melod . A a e of autism in general, but also of how it manifests in my child. The Flashcards really helped me learn what my son could understand, and how much he knew, ithout hi ei g a le to sa it. I’s eall fle i le, e ause hat o ks fo o e hild, does ’t al a s o k fo a othe . Page 3 of 3 The early success of the Flashcards caught Melody a little off guard. There has even been interest from overseas parties looking to license her product in the UK and New Zealand. I’ a azed I’ e got this fa , she ad its. I’ just a u , ou k o . It’s jou e ith so that has led e he e. The Flashcards is also being successfully implemented in classrooms as an educational strategy for children with learning/communication delays. While it was initially created for children with autism, ithas also proved effective in the treatment of ai i ju , st oke, e e al pals , Do s’s syndrome and hearing impairment. Melody ould ’t e happie ith this out o e. I just a t it to help as a people as possi le, she sa s. For more information, or to purchase a set of The Flashcards, visithttp://www.theflashcards.com.au. Flashcards are the best on the market to date. It is very user friendly, well organized and durable. I bought the set for my non- e al autisti so ’s ABA Applied Beha iou al A al sis The ap P og a as ell as a ea s of o u i atio for him. It is very impressive and affordable. It is so easy to follow and efficient that even inexperienced parents like me can use it with my son. I highly recommend this product.