<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KM2X3Z2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden">
Book Appointment

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Support that adapts to every individual. We offer tailored therapies for autistic children, teens, and adults - focusing on communication, sensory needs, independence, and emotional wellbeing - so each person can thrive in their own unique way, at their own pace.
 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Support that adapts to every individual. We offer tailored therapies for autistic children, teens, and adults - focusing on communication, sensory needs, independence, and emotional wellbeing - so each person can thrive in their own unique way, at their own pace.
 
2-3

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual’s communication and social interactions. As a condition that is measured on a spectrum, individuals with ASD can vary from having low-support needs to high-support needs. 

In kind, therapies are adapted to assist the individual depending on the degree of support they require. Through a range of therapies and strategies, autistic individuals can lead more involved and fulfilling lives while still catering to their unique cognitive and sensory needs.

Learn more about ASD and how Conscious Healthcare SA can support clients in Adelaide and nationwide below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

2-3

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual’s communication and social interactions. As a condition that is measured on a spectrum, individuals with ASD can vary from having low-support needs to high-support needs. 

In kind, therapies are adapted to assist the individual depending on the degree of support they require. Through a range of therapies and strategies, autistic individuals can lead more involved and fulfilling lives while still catering to their unique cognitive and sensory needs.

Learn more about ASD and how Conscious Healthcare SA can support clients in Adelaide and nationwide below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

What are the Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children?

Early signs of autism in children can cover a wide range of behaviours and actions. How these manifest at different stages of life will differ. But some common signs to be mindful of in primary school-aged children include:

  • Issues with conversation, where they may dominate conversations with their favourite topics or not recognise how to take turns with others.

  • Difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues with peers and adults.

  • Unusual speech patterns or a monotonous tone.

  • Struggle maintaining eye contact during conversation.

  • Finds being around others highly stressful, exhausting and overstimulating - they seek solitude in order to recover.

  • They’re rigid about following rules in varying situations.

  • Struggle with social cues and general conventions associated with friendships.
  • Having unusual or hyperspecific interests or obsessions.

  • Sensory issues that can heighten or mute their senses - touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight.

  • They may have unusual physical movements in response to different stimuli, such as touching, biting, flapping their hands, etc.

  • May struggle to maintain a consistent base of friends.

  • Prefer having a clear routine and can become upset if unexpected changes occur.

  • Some autistic children may act aggressively, which is usually a way of trying to avoid unpleasant or overwhelming circumstances.

While autistic children often share many of these behavioural symptoms, it’s important to be aware that symptoms of autism are usually more apparent in boys than girls.

A significant contributing factor of this is how girls are socialised when compared to boys. Because many young girls are raised to be sociable but agreeable, and behaviours such as shyness are societally considered more ‘feminine’, autistic girls tend to more effectively mask their autistic traits than young boys.

Even if they’re not actively masking their symptoms, social attitudes and beliefs have made people less likely to notice when a young girl has behavioural symptoms indicative of ASD. Because while young boys are often expected to be messy and loud, for example, young girls are often socialised to be quiet and tidy. 

So, if an autistic girl is keeping to herself, is overly tidy, doesn’t like to engage in conversations or avoids direct eye contact, those discrepancies don’t stand out in the same way they would in boys.

What are the Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children?

Early signs of autism in children can cover a wide range of behaviours and actions. How these manifest at different stages of life will differ. But some common signs to be mindful of in primary school-aged children include:

  • Issues with conversation, where they may dominate conversations with their favourite topics or not recognise how to take turns with others.

  • Difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues with peers and adults.

  • Unusual speech patterns or a monotonous tone.

  • Struggle maintaining eye contact during conversation.

  • Finds being around others highly stressful, exhausting and overstimulating - they seek solitude in order to recover.

  • They’re rigid about following rules in varying situations.

  • Struggle with social cues and general conventions associated with friendships.
  • Having unusual or hyperspecific interests or obsessions.

  • Sensory issues that can heighten or mute their senses - touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight.

  • They may have unusual physical movements in response to different stimuli, such as touching, biting, flapping their hands, etc.

  • May struggle to maintain a consistent base of friends.

  • Prefer having a clear routine and can become upset if unexpected changes occur.

  • Some autistic children may act aggressively, which is usually a way of trying to avoid unpleasant or overwhelming circumstances.

While autistic children often share many of these behavioural symptoms, it’s important to be aware that symptoms of autism are usually more apparent in boys than girls.

A significant contributing factor of this is how girls are socialised when compared to boys. Because many young girls are raised to be sociable but agreeable, and behaviours such as shyness are societally considered more ‘feminine’, autistic girls tend to more effectively mask their autistic traits than young boys.

Even if they’re not actively masking their symptoms, social attitudes and beliefs have made people less likely to notice when a young girl has behavioural symptoms indicative of ASD. Because while young boys are often expected to be messy and loud, for example, young girls are often socialised to be quiet and tidy. 

So, if an autistic girl is keeping to herself, is overly tidy, doesn’t like to engage in conversations or avoids direct eye contact, those discrepancies don’t stand out in the same way they would in boys.

What Types of Therapy are Most Effective for Managing ASD Symptoms?

There is a wide range of therapies and treatments that exist to help individuals with ASD lead full lives. Depending on the support needs of the client (they may have high, medium, or low support needs), different therapies may be employed accordingly. These include:

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy: This therapy can help autistic individuals develop essential skills and strategies to assist with sensory processing, understanding social cues, and implementing strategies in their day-to-day life to facilitate greater independence.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy: For some autistic individuals, they may experience issues with motor skills, balance, coordination and overall physical fitness. Physiotherapy can help them develop these skills and hold themselves accountable for their physical wellbeing.

Psychology

Psychology: Psychological therapy can be of incredible benefit to autistic individuals as it teaches them invaluable skills for emotional regulation, managing sensory overstimulation, navigating overwhelm, and improving their interpersonal skills. Therapies within psychology that have proven effective for ASD include cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy.

Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): This is a behavioural form of therapy that can help individuals develop healthy strategies and approaches to driving positive behaviours while minimising negative or dangerous behaviours.

What Types of Therapy are Most Effective for Managing ASD Symptoms?

There is a wide range of therapies and treatments that exist to help individuals with ASD lead full lives. Depending on the support needs of the client (they may have high, medium, or low support needs), different therapies may be employed accordingly. These include:

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy: This therapy can help autistic individuals develop essential skills and strategies to assist with sensory processing, understanding social cues, and implementing strategies in their day-to-day life to facilitate greater independence.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy: For some autistic individuals, they may experience issues with motor skills, balance, coordination and overall physical fitness. Physiotherapy can help them develop these skills and hold themselves accountable for their physical wellbeing.

Psychology

Psychology: Psychological therapy can be of incredible benefit to autistic individuals as it teaches them invaluable skills for emotional regulation, managing sensory overstimulation, navigating overwhelm, and improving their interpersonal skills. Therapies within psychology that have proven effective for ASD include cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy.

Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): This is a behavioural form of therapy that can help individuals develop healthy strategies and approaches to driving positive behaviours while minimising negative or dangerous behaviours.

Is NDIS Funding Available for ASD Therapy Programs at Conscious Healthcare SA?

Yes, NDIS funding is available for ASD therapy programs. It’s important to ensure the individual seeking support has been officially diagnosed with ASD by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist. With an official diagnosis, individuals could be financially supported under NDIS funding types such as Improve Daily Living and/or Improved Relationships. 

Generally, diagnosed individuals with high-support needs will tend to qualify for greater support than individuals with low-support needs.

Is NDIS Funding Available for ASD Therapy Programs at Conscious Healthcare SA?

Yes, NDIS funding is available for ASD therapy programs. It’s important to ensure the individual seeking support has been officially diagnosed with ASD by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist. With an official diagnosis, individuals could be financially supported under NDIS funding types such as Improve Daily Living and/or Improved Relationships. 

Generally, diagnosed individuals with high-support needs will tend to qualify for greater support than individuals with low-support needs.

What Role Do Families and Carers Play in ASD Intervention?

For families or carers who directly look after an autistic individual, ensuring they’re part of the therapy and strategy process is essential. This is particularly true if the individual being supported has high or medium-support needs. Active engagement with the family and/or carer helps ensure the therapies, strategies, and interventions we introduce are understood and supported.

Our therapists work closely with any family and/or carers to foster the best outcomes for clients. 

What Role Do Families and Carers Play in ASD Intervention?

For families or carers who directly look after an autistic individual, ensuring they’re part of the therapy and strategy process is essential. This is particularly true if the individual being supported has high or medium-support needs. Active engagement with the family and/or carer helps ensure the therapies, strategies, and interventions we introduce are understood and supported.

Our therapists work closely with any family and/or carers to foster the best outcomes for clients. 

Are Therapy Plans Tailored for Verbal and Non-Verbal Individuals with ASD?

Yes.

At Conscious Healthcare SA, we know that autism can present in many ways and to varying degrees. For some individuals, the symptoms can present in very subtle ways, which can indicate the individual has low-support needs. However, on the other end of the spectrum, autistic individuals may be non-verbal and have much higher support needs overall.

Brand Icons (18)Thanks to our experience in helping autistic individuals at all support levels, we’ve tailored our therapy plans to work for both verbal and non-verbal individuals. It all comes down to communication and using the methods the client is most comfortable with. 

For some, they may have effective writing skills that allow them to communicate that way. For others, they may use body language, simplified gestures, vocalisations, etc. Or they may make use of assistive technologies or sign language for communication.

However the client prefers to communicate, we adapt and tailor our therapy sessions to best match what the client is most comfortable with.

Are Therapy Plans Tailored for Verbal and Non-Verbal Individuals with ASD?

Yes.

At Conscious Healthcare SA, we know that autism can present in many ways and to varying degrees. For some individuals, the symptoms can present in very subtle ways, which can indicate the individual has low-support needs. However, on the other end of the spectrum, autistic individuals may be non-verbal and have much higher support needs overall.

Brand Icons (18)Thanks to our experience in helping autistic individuals at all support levels, we’ve tailored our therapy plans to work for both verbal and non-verbal individuals. It all comes down to communication and using the methods the client is most comfortable with. 

For some, they may have effective writing skills that allow them to communicate that way. For others, they may use body language, simplified gestures, vocalisations, etc. Or they may make use of assistive technologies or sign language for communication.

However the client prefers to communicate, we adapt and tailor our therapy sessions to best match what the client is most comfortable with.

Ready to Transform Your Relationships?

Take the first step towards improved mental health and stronger interpersonal connections. Our qualified psychologists are here to support you on your journey.
Copy of Homepage collage (2)

"To provide inclusive and compassionate therapy that embraces every body and every brain."

"To provide inclusive and compassionate therapy that embraces every body and every brain."

Copy of Homepage collage (2)

Ready to Transform Your Relationships?

Take the first step towards improved mental health and stronger interpersonal connections. Our qualified psychologists are here to support you on your journey.

CONSIOUS HEALTHCARE SA

Inclusive and compassionate therapy services
for every body and every brain in South Australia.

   

OUR SERVICES

Psychology

Assessments

Positive Behaviour Support

Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapy

Dietetics

QUICKLINKS

About Us

NDIS Information

Medicare Rebates

Our Locations

Careers

Contact Us

CONTACT

 18-20 Scholefield Rd, Seacliff 5049


 40 Ann St, Salisbury, SA 5108


  08 8166 4700


  enquiries@conscioushealthcaresa.com.au

© 2025 Conscious Healthcare SA