Winter-2024

Winter-2024

Qxplore Newsletter

WINTER 2024

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Patience Paradis, M.Psy., RP, C.Psych. Assoc. (Supervised Practice)
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES
Yoanitha Sutrisno, M.A., BCBA

WELCOME TO OUR WINTER 2024 NEWSLETTER.

Snow and cold weather are here. A perfect time to address any personal or family issues that you have been avoiding!
In this Newsletter we have an article by Patience Paradis about Psychological Assessments and Psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Our other article is by Yoanitha Sutrisno on The Importance of Early Intervention for Children with Autism and Behavioural Issues and Applied Behaviour Analysis with Adolescents

If you or a family member are experiencing personal issues then your EAP can help you address and manage conflict, burnout, grief, stress, anxiety, financial issues, and relationship difficulties. We provide services both in person and virtually, whichever you prefer, just give our Reception a call.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Patience Paradis, M.Psy., RP, C.Psych. Assoc. (Supervised Practice)
Pyschological Assessment

Do you ever look at your child/adolescent and wonder what’s going on with them?
Does your child/adolescent seem to only throw “fits” when reading or doing math?

Has your child/adolescent recently become more introverted?
Do you find yourself getting frustrated because your child/adolescent is constantly distracted, you’re unable to get their attention, or they seem unable to remember what you just said?
Do you find yourself comparing your child/adolescent’s progress to others their age? Do you find your child/adolescent is feeling more nervous, tired, lacking motivation to do things, or unable to notice the positive things about themselves?

Psychological Assessment

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, your child/adolescent may have some learning difficulties which could be affecting their behaviour, emotions, and school performance. Getting a psychoeducational or comprehensive assessment can provide many, if not all, of the answers you are seeking. While the assessment cost is not covered under the EAP, Psychological assessments are covered in whole or in part under most Extended Health Care Plans.

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The assessment process will take several sessions. Typically, you can expect the psychologist to have one or more conversations with you (the parents/guardian) and the child/adolescent. These conversations allow the psychologist to get a better understanding of the family dynamics, culture, the child/adolescent’s perceived strengths and weaknesses, and what each person thinks is going on. The psychologist may also ask for school records, previous assessments or doctor evaluations, and information about medication

The next stage of the assessment is about evidence-based data collection. This is when your child/adolescent will complete standardized questionnaires and testing. Each session usually takes one to three hours, depending on what is best for your child/adolescent. There will also usually be questionnaires for you or your child/adolescent’s teacher to fill out as well. The results of the testing will be compared to other children/adolescents their age. This allows the psychologist to see your child/adolescent’s true strengths and weaknesses. The psychologist will write up a report detailing the results and include any necessary recommendations to best help your child/adolescent.

Once the report is ready, you will come in for what is called a feedback session. This is where everything that was learned about your child/adolescent is explained to you in plain language and you are given an opportunity to ask questions. You’ll often receive the report this day as well.

Now, you might be wondering, what happens after that? That’s a good question! The assessment part is done, and you might decide that is enough for you and your child/adolescent. Alternatively, you might decide that your child could use more support and are unsure of where to turn.

Psychotherapy

If your child, adolescent or young adult is experiencing some emotional regulation issues, a decreased sense of self-worth, needs to learn more skills, or just wants to talk to someone, we can help.

We have a wide range of clinicians with differing licensing and therapeutic styles, someone to suit all needs. Our Registered Psychotherapists, Social Workers and Board Certified Behaviour Analysts can work with you and child/adolescent to help them become the version of themselves they want to be. Your EAP includes 6 sessions per family member with an opportunity to transition to private pay. The length of therapy depends on the presenting issues, participants, motivation, and consistency. Call us!

Patience Paradis is a Psychological Associate (Supervised Practice) and a Registered Psychotherapist. Patience provides Psychoeducational and Comprehensive Assessments for adolescents, and Psychological Assessments for adults including Veteran Affairs, WSIB and Motor Vehicle Accident Assessments. Patience also provides Psychotherapy for people from all backgrounds and issues.

Did you know…

→Appointments are scheduled at a time that is convenient for you and usually within two to three days? →No one at your place of employment will know that you have used your EAP unless you tell them? →Counselling is provided for a broad range of services, including marital and relationship; parenting; stress; separation/divorce trauma; workplace; and personal issues? →Counsellors can help you access community resources and support groups? →A comprehensive description of the services provided through your EAP is available through your EAP brochure or on our website at www.qxplore.com?

THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES

Yoanitha Sutrisno, M.A., BCBA
Early Intervention for children with autism and behavioural issues

Early childhood is a time of immense growth. Children are learning how to play, communicate, interact with others, self-regulate, problem solve, and navigate the world around them. Children learn through watching others, and most of all, they learn through doing. It is important to give young children the opportunity to practice these essential skills.

It’s often difficult to know where to begin, but the Autism Team at Qxplore can work collaboratively with your family to target these key skills, alongside other skills that other children may be learning at this time, such as introducing new foods or toileting. Services may begin with a skills assessment that would inform the team which skills to teach first, before building upon them for more complex skills. For example, a toddler would first learn how to point at something to request, then to point at something to draw another person’s attention to it.

Children with autism have deficits in communication, social interaction, and self-regulation. They may not be watching their surroundings, which causes them to lose opportunities to learn through day-to-day activities. These core deficits may lead to challenging behaviours due to a breakdown in communication, inability to regulate their emotions, and lack of understanding of social interactions. Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) techniques would analyze these challenging behaviours, and in collaboration with the caregivers, find a replacement behaviour that is more effective in communicating their wants and needs.

Learning happens everywhere you go and can be incorporated into the routines that you do day to day. Similarly, ABA services may occur in the home, school, daycare, and in the community

Caregiver training is an important aspect of intervention, especially at this age. Caregivers spend the most amount of time with their child and have the most opportunity to practice skills that are targeted (e.g. pre-communication skills such as pointing, sharing a look together).

Applied Behaviour Analysis with Adolescents

When children are small, we often want to do things for them. As they grow older, it’s imperative that they learn to do these skills and grow to be more independent.

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) teaches larger tasks such as grocery shopping, taking the bus downtown, or cooking, by breaking it down into smaller and more manageable tasks. A skills assessment may be completed to serve as a baseline of their current skills and provides the care team with a road map for teaching. This builds confidence and minimizes frustration that is often experienced with learning how to take on new responsibilities and difficult multi-step tasks.

Social skills may continue to be targeted through ABA during adolescence, as non-verbal and subtle cues may often be missed. Nuances such as jokes, and sarcasm may be complex and difficult to spot. It’s also important to teach self-advocacy, to be able to say ‘no’ and to recognize when to involve adults in requesting for help when problems are encountered.

ABA services are often delivered in a combination of home or school and community. Skills may be targeted in a short period of time through intensive practice.

Through your EAP you can receive consultation about Early Intervention, ABA, and the Ontario Autism Program with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Ongoing intensive ABA services can be funded through the Ontario Autism Program, and some services may be included in your extended health care, as services would be supervised by a BCBA. Call us to inquire about services today.

Yoanitha Sutrisno (Jo) is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who is a Clinical Supervisor with the Quinte Assessment and Treatment Group, Autism and Behaviour Program. Jo provides Behavioural Assessments, Skill Assessments, and designs and supervises ABA programs for children, adolescents, and families .

QUINTE COUNSELLING SERVICES INC.
QUINTE COUNSELLING SERVICES INC.
Qxplore employee assistance program

***PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT SERVICES***

Are you a worried parent whose child or adolescent is experiencing difficulty with:
  • * Early Childhood Development?
  • * Autism or Behavioural Issues?
  • * Not achieving at the expected level, or motivation, paying attention and concentration?
  • * Managing emotions and getting along with others?
  • * Transitioning to College or University?
A Psychoeducational Assessment can identify causes of your child’s problems and recommend what can help.

***PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND BEHAVIOURAL SERVICES***

  • * Autism and Behavioural Services
  • * Private Insurance
  • * Employment Accommodation
  • * Veterans Affairs
  • * Health Canada
  • * WSIB
  • * ODSP

Amber Adams, M.Ped., BCBA; William Ammons, Ph.D., C.Psych.; Lynn Andrews, Ph.D., C.Psych.; Tamara Davidson Marcon, M.A; Hannah Forsyth, B.A., RP; Riley Fox-Cassibo M.C., RP; Jennifer Gaddes, M.A., C.Psych. Assoc.; Shara Highgate, Ph.D., C.Psych.; Patience Paradis, M.Psy.,RP, C. Psych. Assoc. (Supervised Practice); Whitney Kerr, M.A., BCBA; Angela Massey-Garrison, Ph.D., C.Psych; Eva Mourelatos, M.A., RP; Anita Ramani, Ph.D., BCBA-D, C.Psych.; Yoanitha Sutrisno, M.A., BCBA; Kim Trudeau Craig, M.SC., RP, BCBA; Bobbi-Jo Vermilyea, M.A, RP.

Quinte Assessment and Treatment Group Inc.

Quinte Counselling Services Inc.

208 John Street Belleville, Ontario, K8N 3G1 Tel: 613-966-4262 Fax: 613-966-4265 Toll Free: 1-800-527-7793 qcs@qxplore.com www.qxplore.com

QUINTE COUNSELLING SERVICES INC.