Although precise diagnosis of your or your child's needs is extremely important, it is also useful to remember (as the GNC reminds us) that diagnosis of just one condition is often likely to prove inadequate, and re-assessment may be required over time in most cases. The important factor is that for some 'diagnoses' there are clear and very well proven intervention programmes that can be implemented, such as is the case for Developmental Coordination Disorder, for example. In the context of other diagnoses, such as for many of the autisms, intervention should be environmentally focussed, assisting and supporting the individual's experience of the world, and both increasing and capacitating the individuals working around the child.
Again, for many children with one of the autism conditions (for example), it may be the impact of other ESSENCE conditions that is most impacting their developmental progress or quality of life. A core factor in the success of applied interventions is the extent to which the family, school and team can work together around the child or individual. Interventions may be multi-faceted, and in some cases, more traditional; and the intervention needs may change and evolve over time - or when the developmental or environmental needs of the individual change. Each of the neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric needs may require individualised and appropriate attention, and there are limits to what interventions have been found to be valid and appropriate for each of these.
Psychoeducation and Parent Guidance
In the case of most ESSENCE disorders, a practical and empathic understanding of the child or individual's needs - and their experience of the world - is key. An example of this is understanding - for example for a child with a condition on the spectrum of Autism - the inherent qualitative impairments in the social aspects of communication, interaction and imagination, and associated inflexible patterns of thought. If a supporting teacher, facilitator or parent is able to understand these needs more effectively (amongst all the other areas of need and challenge), they are more equipped to support and assist the child or individual. Your NDC keyworker will plan with you where the most appropriate psychoeducation and parent guidance is required. Your NDC keyworker will also need to work with you an relevant school staff to remove barriers to active inclusion in the classroom setting, and make adaptations that take your child's learning style and needs into consideration.
Psychological Therapy
At the NDC we provide a variety of appropriate therapies - where these are consistent with available international best practice - which should ideally be consistent with the unique needs of each and every individual attending our service. Importantly, each developmental transition (such as puberty) brings unique challenges for individuals with ESSENCE needs. It is imperative that therapy is planned with a primary mindfulness of the child or individual's needs at that point in time. Various therapies are one facet of intervention, and may well not be suitable or appropriate in all cases. This should be discussed in detail with your keyworker. There may often also be 'interactions' between the various therapies or interventions, such as changing school or medication, or attempting a particularly challenging aspect of a social training programme. This must be carefully considered, so that the most effective decision-making around therapy can take place.
Support and Intervention Groups
Across the three NDC offices we offer support and intervention groups. A flagship programme is Bridges in Social Understanding. This is an online-based social skills programme which may be accessed individually, but which we will also be offering in facilitated groups at certain schools and at the NDC. We will also be running goal-directed support groups for certain groups in our communities, varying from groups for adult women with conditions on the spectrum of Autism, to groups for parents of children with Pathological / Extreme Demand Avoidance (PDA/EDA). Information on these groups is updated regularly on our Facebook page and on our website throughout the year. If you have specific needs that you believe should be attended to in a group setting, please do let us know. We rely heavily on the input of our families.