Assessments & Behaviour Interventions Information

Autism Behavioural Intervention NSW (ABI) is a charitable organisation that provides autism specific early intervention services for families with children that have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, referred to hereafter simply as autism). ABI’s programs are designed to empower families with the ideas and strategies to successfully support their child’s learning and development and as importantly, the integration of the child into family and community settings. ABI was first established in 2006 to fill a gap in the ability for families to access services in the outer suburbs of Sydney and more specifically, access services that were based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). At the time of ABI’s establishment, ABA was only available through private service providers at a high cost to families. ABA is based on well researched principles of behaviour and learning. Broadly, ABA refers to the application of the principles of behaviour to produce change. It is currently the best known method for teaching socially appropriate and functional behaviour and reducing problematic behaviours in children with autism. ABI’s Footprints – Stepping into Learning Program pioneered affordable ABA. ABI is largely funded by the NSW Government through the Department of Human Services - Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) for children under the age of 6 years. Through ADHC’s funding, ABI has provided over 250 families with the Footprints program since 2006 and have increased our capacity to be able to provide over 100 families a year access to the service across Metropolitan Sydney and in Wollongong. ABI’s services are also available through the Federal Government’s Helping Children with Autism package (HCWA). Through HCWA, ABI provides the Footprints Program, Behavioural Intervention services, Literacy Programs (MULTILIT), Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy for children up to the age of 7 years old.