Early-onset and severe autism spectrum disorder, family course (formerly called Autism course)

The course is suitable for children over 4 who have been diagnosed with an early-onset and severe autism spectrum disorder.

The child may also suffer from

• intellectual disability
• challenging behaviour and behavioural or emotional symptoms associated with a neuropsychiatric disorder or the symptoms accompanying such a disorder
• difficulties related to attentional control and sensory processing and dysexecutive problems
• some other neuropsychiatric disorder.

Rehabilitation is arranged for the following target groups:

• children over 4 but under school age and their families
• children in primary school and their families
• children in lower secondary school and their families.

Purpose of the course

The aim of the course is to provide comprehensive information and guidance for the child and the family and to help them live a full and meaningful life despite the child’s condition. Rehabilitation is also a way of strengthening the family’s resources and life management skills as well as a means of providing support for the family and its support networks. It also provides opportunities to meet other families who are in a similar situation.

Content of the course and implementation

The rehabilitation is implemented as group rehabilitation taking the child’s and the family’s goal and individual need for rehabilitation into consideration.

The course includes group discussions and working in small groups, a variety of activities as well as individual interviews, meetings and discussions with rehabilitation experts.

The rehabilitation is arranged on the service provider’s premises. The course lasts 5 days.

The child’s family accompanies the child throughout the rehabilitation. 1 to 2 adult close relatives and up to 2 siblings participate in the family course. If the number of siblings wishing to participate in the course exceeds this, Kela will contact the service provider in order to decide and agree on practical matters and make sure that there is sufficient room for all. The family can stay overnight at the place of the rehabilitation or travel there from home each day.

The service provider will contact the family before and after the rehabilitation.

Course personnel

The course is implemented by the following experts:

• specialist in pediatric neurology, pediatric psychiatry, adolescent psychiatry or specialist in children's’ diseases
• special-needs kindergarten teacher or special-needs teacher
• social worker or Bachelor of Social Sciences
• occupational therapist
• speech therapist.

Depending on the child’s individual needs, other rehabilitation professionals and assisting personnel may also take part.

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