To mark World Autism Month, national allied health provider, Physio Inq, has partnered with Australian charity, Spectrum Support, to deploy training for its allied health workforce to improve their skills in treating clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Physio has a division that provides a range of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and exercise physiology services for those with a disability and aged care and will work with Spectrum Support to motivate autistic clients through workshops, programs, seminars and group training sessions.
Physio CEO, Jonathan Moody, pictured, has been personally touched by ASD, with a sister who has twin girls on the spectrum. “I have seen first-hand how difficult it can be for families to cope. Our strategic relationship with Spectrum Support will provide a valuable window into the specific health care needs of Australia’s autism community and the specialised training will give Physio employees the insight needed to deliver a new level of service to clients who live with ASD,” he said.
“The inspiration to expand the Physio Inq’s service model to people with a disability first came about in 2016 when one of my employees approached me about the lack of quality home care for her daughter with an acquired brain injury. As a collective, we have been motivated ever since to ensure that as a business we are constantly evolving our practice and offering not only the best possible treatment but that we are doing it in a way that is thoughtful and respectful.”
He said by aligning with Spectrum Support, Physio is acknowledging the lack of awareness and support around the ASD community, and the need for better training for allied health practitioners and a majority of the healthcare workforce to deliver the best quality of treatment in a dignified and positive manner.
Australians living with Autism and their families seeking allied health care support will be able to access tailored support through Physio Inq.
Spectrum Support is a national organisation committed to training, education, health awareness and safety. Founded by Kathrine Peereboom in 2017, a mother of three autistic boys with comorbidities, Spectrum Support has achieved significant milestones in a short period of time including partnering with Queensland Police Service and NSW Police, to deliver autism training to front line officers across the states.
Peereboom described the partnership with Physio as one of the most significant health care announcements for the autism sector.
“ASD is a highly complex and extremely broad disorder. Care providers involved in assisting those with ASD need to understand the breadth of these complexities. Our purpose designed training will provide Physio care providers with practical insight into ASD and the types of behaviour exhibited. Our training is designed and developed through the lens of autistic people and their support network.
“The training will arm allied health care providers with more knowledge and understanding, and importantly, from the perspective of Physio autistic clients, it means they can be supported by service providers with greater insight, practical awareness and compassion,” she said.