About Us
Evolve is a neurodiversity support centre specialised in autism. We are a team of highly qualified behaviour analyst and therapist with vast experience in providing support to individuals with neurodevelopment differences of all ages.
Who We Are
We are a group of Developmental Educators specialised in neurodivergence. Our team counts with analysts and therapists who have achieved high academic performance in the post-degree and master degree level. We are specialised in ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis), Psychomotricity (Exercise and Movement), PRT (Pivotal Response Training), NI (Naturalistic Intervention) and other EBP (Evidence-Based Practices).
Our Team
Our team is composed by a Behaviour Analyst who will run all the necessary assessments, formulate a program based on the most effective intervention based on the most recent studies. Additionally, we count with a group of RBTs (Registered Behaviour Therapist) who have extensive training and experience in implementing the program selected by the ABA specialised team. Our specialized team counts with years of experience in the field, plus several years of dedication studying and researching to become specialists in the ABA science. Post-Degree in Psychomotricity and Master Degree in Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis are some of the specialties undertaken by our team. Our practices are all based in evidence-based studies in order to achieve the best possible results. We are constantly undertaking new training and education in order to keep our team up to date with the newest evidence-based practices and approaches.
Our mission is to create connections and empower everyone in the Neurodiversity community with the resources needed to live fully.
What We Do
We support individuals on the autistic spectrum and all other neurodevelopmental differences. This includes ASD (autism spectrum disorder), Global Developmental Delay, ADHD and so forth.
Our play-based program is based on every individual’s goal and support needs. Each individual is initially assessed, and then based on a Decision-Making Framework; the most reasonable evidence-based practice is selected to provide the required support. Our program is based on principles of NI (Naturalistic Intervention), PRT (Pivotal Response Training) and Psychomotricity with a high emphasis on the ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) science.
We select evidence-based intervention practices guided by objective assessment, goals, and outcomes. We deliver our practices with fidelity by qualified and appropriately trained professionals. All services should promote self-determination, enhance inclusive community engagement, and improve quality of life.
Our program supports our clients and their families by extending the practice applied during our sessions to the natural environment. Thus, we increase the likelihood of achieving the expected goals faster. Additionally, our play-based program explores aspects of social communication and engagement, enhancing abilities such as turn-taking, “winning and losing” in games and other essential social skills.
How we work
Post family/support worker or individual first contact, and questionnaires will be e-mailed to the client. Thereafter, a face-to-face assessment may occur to discuss the selected practice.
The support we provide is based on ABA. Post a set of assessments and discussions with families and individuals, we will decide between a Global Intervention that will mostly focus on basic skills such as shared attention, listening skills, etc., that may occur based on a Naturalistic Intervention with the implementation and inclusion of other practices such as PRT. The other option is focused on a specific behaviour-targeted intervention that aims to support individuals in reducing behaviours in “excess” or increasing behaviour in “deficit”.
Below you can find a little bit about the science and practices our therapy is based upon:
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA):
ABA is a highly evidence-based approach used to understanding behaviour. The principal concept of ABA is related to principles focused on changes occurring to one’s behaviour and its relationship to environmental changes. The 3 basic principles of ABA are:
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Behaviours are affected by their environment.
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Behaviours can be strengthened or weakened by their consequences.
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Behaviour changes are more effective with positive instead of negative consequences.
The Evolve team applies the most beneficial EBP listed amongst the 28 evidence-based interventions. The most frequently used practices by our team are:
Naturalistic Intervention (NI):
The application of ABA during learners’ everyday routines and activities as a naturalistic intervention (NI) to increase a desired target behaviour or decrease challenging behaviour. NI resumes as a collection of techniques and strategies embedded in typical activities and/or routines in which the learner participates to naturally promote, support, and encourage target skills/behaviours.
Psychomotricity:
Psychomotricity focuses on exercise and movement, another EBP our team applies. It is based on the interrelationship between motor functions and the psychic life of the individual; the body is considered the anchor of sensorimotor, emotional, cognitive and social experiences.
Pivotal Response Training (PRT):
it is a play-based therapy with the use of natural reinforcements. This technique engages with daily routine play and tasks in a practice model that promotes motivation to interact.
Domains of Psychomotricity:
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Body image
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Tonus
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Laterality
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Spatiotemporal structure
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Motor coordination
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Executive functions (attention, concentration, memory)
Other benefits of Psychomotricity:
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Serves as a channel since the child can discharge his impulsivity without guilt. Decisive for children’s emotional balance.
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Facilitates the acquisition of the body schema, allowing the child to become aware and aware of their own body.
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Favours body control; through psychomotor skills, the child learns to master and adapt their body movement.
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Helps to affirm laterality, postural control, balance, coordination, and location in time and space.
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Stimulates perception and discrimination of the qualities of the objects as well as the exploration of the different uses that can be given to them.
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·Creates habits that facilitate learning, improve memory, attention and concentration, and the child’s creativity.
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Introduces spatial notions such as up-down, side-to-side, front-back, near-far and others from your own body.
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Reinforces basic notions of colour, size, shape and quantity through direct experience with the elements of the environment.
Testimonial
"Our son C. has been seeing Evolve team for a number of years and the progress we have seen in him is incredible. C has level 2 autism and generalised anxiety disorder. The usual therapists were struggling to make connections with C so we sought other styles of therapy. Henry has worked passionately with C every session. He is dedicated to his work; he takes the time with C every session and always celebrates the small wins. Mood stabilisation, his ability to regulate and express himself and his own self confidence are some of the main things we have seen increase and that in turn is allowing C to lead a more fulfilled and happy life. We felt quite lost prior to Evolve’s support and are so happy that he is now a part of our family's journey."
S. Obee
"Evolve team has been an amazing support for my son who has ASD. We have been working with Henry for over a year now and we have seen so much progress in my son's confidence, motor skills and emotional regulation. The team provides a safe and inclusive environment for my son to learn and express himself. "
L. Casson
"I have had my 3 children aged 9 (twins) and 7 engaging with Henry in behavioural therapy sessions weekly for two terms now. Before the children started with Henry our home was a chaos and my son was being suspended from school for violent outbursts. With only two terms with Henry our house is calmer and my son is in school consistently and happy. Henry's movement-based therapy with REALISTIC strategies and approaches to the challenging behaviours within my family’s dynamic has changed our lives. Henry's advice and expertise have given my family a better understanding of how to understand the complexities and challenges that come with special needs children in a blended family dynamic.
The team at Evolve is flexible and professional who truly believes in their cause to helping families as a whole."
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Worth your weight in gold Henry.
A. Smith