QuickStart offers early help for children with autism
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Charelle Evelyn
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EMC News - A concerned grandmother is the driving force behind a clinic designed to give potentially autistic children a head start prior to their diagnosis.
Charelle Evelyn, Orleans EMC
Suzanne Jacobson, founder of QuickStart received a $9,000 donation for the organization from family friend David A. Bertschi and the law firm of Bertschi Orth Smith. The firm raised the money with a charity golf tournament June 4.
QuickStart - Early Intervention for Autism is a non-profit organization founded in 2008 by Suzanne Jacobson after the experience of her two young grandsons being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Ms. Jacobson said that Alexander's parents became concerned due to their son's lack of language, self-injury behaviour and sensory issues.
It took 10 months after these issues were identified for him to see a professional and be assessed and diagnosed at age two-and-a-half.
By the time he reached the top of the list for treatment with CHEO's Autism Intervention Program for Eastern Ontario, another two years had passed.
"Those months are critical," said Ms. Jacobson, adding that research has suggested that early intervention therapy provides the best outcomes for children with ASD.
Along with the research, Ms. Jacobson had the personal experience to believe in early intervention.
Due to his older brother's diagnosis, Nathan was eligible for a sibling study that had him screened for ASD every three months.
Due to that constant screening that he received, at 21 months, Nathan was also diagnosed and immediately went into speech therapy.
"Within three months, (Nathan) went from a six to nine-month language level to an 18-month level," said Ms. Jacobson. "He's doing superbly."
While they were privileged enough to be able to put Alexander, now 6 years old, and eventually his brother Nathan, now 3, in private therapy, Ms. Jacobson said the family realized that there was a large gap in the system that needed to be addressed. Intensive therapy can be 25 to 40 hours per week and cost up to $50,000.
So in late 2007, she approached the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre to create a new clinic and by October 2008, the Getting Started Services Clinic was established.
The clinic serves parents who are concerned about their child's development but have not yet been able to receive a diagnosis. QuickStart serves 200 children annually, free of charge.
"If a parent is worried, there is nowhere for you to go," Ms. Jacobson said.
Now, there is a place for parents to call and speak to QuickStart's clinical coordinator for assistance and direction.
The organization's website also provides a directory to various autism resources.
After initial contact, Getting Started Services will do a preliminary screening of the child to gather information on which services or therapy they require. Programs focus on developing communication, social and cognitive skills.
The clinic operates two days per week in various locations for children aged five and under to receive therapy.
In order to reach as many families as possible, the clinic rotates and operates out of facilities in Renfrew, Cornwall, Kanata, and on Smyth Rd., and Merivale Rd.
Getting Started offers bilingual, individual appointments as well as group sessions where parents are taught how to work with their child.
Autism affects one out of every 110 children and one in 70 boys, according to Autism Speaks Canada.
For more information on QuickStart, please visit their web site at www.quickstartautism.ca.
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