Emotional and Relational Psychotherapy
Infant Family Program
An intensive Infant Family program has been designed for those infants exhibiting early of pre-autistic behaviours. This intensive program includes the whole family. This three-phase treatment aims to assist parents and babies in finding a new way of relating to one another.
-- Phase 1 -- Assessment and Formulation
• We observe and identify what physical, environmental, relational or emotional obstacles may be hindering an infant's willingness to communicate.
• We observe and explore interactions with siblings, parents and interfamily patterns of relating and of managing emotions which may impact upon parents' ability to attune to their child in a way which they can receive. Family relationships are also crucial.
• We use play and art as a way to facilitate self-expression
• We carefully observe and investigate the whole spectrum of child development to see what areas may be lagging behind, to identify sticking points and to ensure the integrated approach we put together properly addresses bottle-necks in communication, behaviour and emotional development.
-- Phase 2 -- Therapeutic Intervention
Autistic behaviour affects every member of the family. For this reason, we work with each member of the family individually as well as the family as a whole.
• We work with the infant to both understand their avoidant or repetitious behaviours and expand their repertoire of skills, their motivation to communicate and their expression of will and needs. We use various play objects to stimulate their sensory development.
• We work with the parents and child together to identify and build upon close and sensitive ways of being together with one other and to expand these "relating" skills.
• We work with parents and siblings together and individually to explore any learned patterns of managing emotions which may hinder their being fully available to their infant in a way that the infant can best respond.
• We work with the couple to explore relationship issues which may have a bearing on their ability to co-parent as effectively as necessary.
• We work with siblings to explore their emotional needs, and the particular difficulties that can be caused by having a younger sibling with special needs. We expand upon the siblings' strengths in managing their own difficult feelings and frustrations effectively and to model new ways of relating with their sensitive younger sibling.
Please Note:
We have two different treatment modalities depending on the age of the child.
Children under 5 yrs: The Infant-Family Program consists of one intensive 2- 4 week program and then a follow on program which can last for 1 -2 years
In the intensive our professional staff works with the entire family and the child with autistic-like behaviour six hours per day six days a week. Regardless on whether you live locally or staying in a near by hotel, one day each week we work with the family in their environment
Children 5 – 10 yrs: Therefore, The Autistic Child Program is, as the name suggests, child focused. In this program we work with the child 3-5 times per week, the parent once per week and the entire family as a group every two weeks.
It is important to know that Autistic children are children that are consistently in panic. Our program focuses on their individual personality and how the behavior which is common to their syndrome hides their specific sensibilities.
-- Phase 3 – Integration
By its very nature, this intensive therapeutic process can bring out waves of emotions, from sorrow and despair to frustration and anger to hope and joy.
• We accompany the family on this journey, supporting them through the transitions.
• We document the progress made in this final phase.
• We map out the challenges that may lie ahead.
The intensive programme involves a strong commitment from the family as the sessions are 6 days per week for 3 - 4 weeks, depending on the infant.
The family's trust will be rewarded by the experience of being with their infant in a new more meaningful way, by the creation of new patterns of relating, by the infants clear developmental progress and by the creation of a more hopeful prognosis for the future. Our tailor-made treatment includes:
• Family meetings and training of siblings.
• Therapist and parents weekly evaluation meetings.
After the treatment:
for one year it is recommended to continue weekly support of the child and the parents in the home and may include training someone in a nursery if appropriate in the 2nd year, we follow-up once a month by meetings or DVD, then once every three months, then every 6 months for 3 years.
Outcomes:
The ability for a child to respond normally or enjoy family relationships and be able to use mainstream education is contingent upon the finding out the best way for the child to relate to their family and the family’s commitment to ongoing vigilance to not fall back into old habits and continuing the lessons learned in the program.
We can say that 100% of the infants we treated achieved physical and emotional development.