Parental confidence is a game-changer in a child’s developmental journey, especially for autistic learners. At BeyondAutism, we don’t just support children—we empower families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to help their child thrive. Noah‘s story is a powerful example of how collaborative learning and targeted interventions can create lasting change.
Understanding Noah needs
When Noah, a lively four-year-old, first joined our service in February 2024, through detailed assessments and ongoing discussions with his family, we identified key areas for development:
- Acceptance of interruptions to preferred activities
In order to communicate, Noah primarily guided an adult’s hand to request items and frequently sought co-regulation by being held, even during active play on the trampoline.
The lack of effective communication and regulation strategies affected his ability to express his needs safely and his engagement with learning opportunities which left his family feeling unsure and overwhelmed when it came to supporting him at home.
Collaborative Support and Parental Engagement
Our approach involves working closely with parents to ensure that interventions extend beyond sessions. Noah’s mum attended our parent discussion groups led by the Behaviour Analyst and Head of Early Years and received direct support from the Early Years Family Practitioners ( Leigh and Ania). The theoretical and practical support aimed to support Noah’s Mum in how to meet his needs.
To develop Noah’s communication and reduce behaviours that challenge, we introduced the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), working through the stages with consistent reinforcement. Mum played a key role in this process—first observing our practitioners and later applying the strategies independently at home.
Her confidence grew as she actively engaged in implementing Noah’s targets. She asked insightful questions to fully understand the rationale behind strategies and worked diligently to incorporate them into daily routines at home. Her involvement became a driving force behind his success.
As a result, Noah is now able to communicate his needs using PECS, leading to a significant reduction in behaviours that challenge and increasing his engagement with others.
A More Confident Future
Through structured interventions and a dedicated team effort, Noah has made significant progress in functional play, such as rolling a ball and using a ball ramp, with his mum ensuring he has access to a variety of play experiences, demonstrating the lasting impact of building parent confidence.
Additionally, with access to sensory tools like a chewy and a weighted blanket, his mum now confidently redirects his sensory-seeking behaviours, ensuring he engages in safe and appropriate activities.