abc.net.au/news/telethon-kids-institute-trial-helping-children-with-autism/101772708Kally Mack has seen her five-year-old son Harvey's life transformed since they started taking part in a trial to help young children living with autism and high levels of anxiety.They learn simple tips to self-regulate in stressful situations"It's been life-changing for us. Not to feel so alone. To feel there's other families going through what we're going through," Ms Mack said.
Gail Alvares, a senior research fellow at the Institute, said it was about helping parents "support their children early in their stage of development, to give them some tools and strategies to use with their children as they get older and deal with more difficulties".Gail Alvares says the study aims to help parents understand how their children deal with uncertainties.
The Telethon Kids Institute psychiatrists also provide the parents with individualised tools and strategies to help their children tolerate and manage their anxiety.Ms Mack says Harvey used to have multiple meltdowns the day before school, but things have improved a lot."He doesn't particularly like getting up and getting ready for school. And that alone can be enough to cause a meltdown, and that will be so severe we can't even attend school that day.