Giant Steps Sydney :: Innovative Education and Therapeutic Programs for children with Autism and their families.

Early Learning

	Children aged between two and five years with a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and associated developmental delay are eligible to be enrolled in the Early Learning program. Children come to Giant Steps Early Learning with a range of abilities, talents and needs. The combination of outstanding resources, innovative programming and highly qualified and committed teachers and therapists means we are well equipped to offer the best educational option for each individual child.
	As a fundamental premise, it is recognised that all children can learn irrespective of the degree or complexity of their autism. The Giant Steps Early Learning team focuses on each child's individual social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development within the context of society. It is widely recognised, and research has demonstrated, that if early diagnosis and intervention can start before the autistic condition has pushed the child too far off the normal course of development, the child's long-term prognosis is greatly improved.
Each developmental step that a child takes is in some way dependent upon a certain degree of maturation of previous steps. Without the necessary underlying foundation, the child will not engage him/herself spontaneously to learn from experiences. The Giant Steps Early Learning Program is concerned with this patterned, sequential manner of child development in relation to the child with autism. Giant Steps Early Learning focuses on the deviation in maturation of the child's brain and how to modify it. The Giant Steps Early Learning remedial intervention program is concerned with modification, adoption and purposeful activities. Through specific therapeutic programming, it is possible to change the brain's organisation so that it is better able to perceive and learn. Giant Steps Early Learning benefits from an intensive program incorporating individual pre-foundation and academic development, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy (sensory integration), music therapy, daily living skills and play, and social communication skills development.