Research led by the University of Tasmania’s Rural Clinical School has revealed a regional service on the state’s North-West is improving outcomes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (ASELCC) operates as a hub and spokes model.

The hub Blue School is located in Burnie and there are four spoke centres in Devonport (2), Smithton and King Island, delivering early intervention for children through mainstream childcare centres.

Early intervention and support is provided to children from birth to six years with ASD or autism-like characteristics, in a long day care setting, working with families and carers to also assist the needs of the children at home.

In collaboration with the North-West Tasmania ASELCC, researchers investigated the outcomes for children who had attended the centres between 2009 and 2014. 

Analysing clinical assessments of 98 pre-school aged children diagnosed with ASD, they found those who had accessed programs and specialised care at both Blue School and the spokes services experienced improvements in behaviour, communication, language development, and motor skills.

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Co-author Miranda Stephens, a clinical psychology lecturer at the Rural Clinical School, said the research demonstrated a hub-and-spokes model was effective for the region.

“The ASELCC curriculum is designed to support and enhance the abilities of children with ASD to participate in childcare, early education, and interact with other young people. Our findings suggest these centres are meeting this objective.”

“This is important as it indicates non-specialist staff can deliver early intervention in outlying mainstream settings effectively with the right specialist support.”

Co-author and North-West Tasmania ASELCC manager Kathryn Fordyce said the spokes centres were important for families in isolated areas.

“For families in rural towns who have children with ASD, it is not feasible to travel to the ASELCC hub,” Ms Fordyce said.

“Without access to these specialist services, the children are at risk of missing out during a very crucial time in their development.”

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