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Autism & Neurodiversity Support

Autism & Neurodiversity Support

Supporting communication, connection and confidence in neurodivergent children.

Has your child recently been diagnosed as autistic (received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder / ASD)? Perhaps you’re noticing differences in how they communicate, play, interact, respond to sensory experiences, or engage with the world.

We provide neuroaffirming support for autistic and neurodivergent children across the Central Coast. Our goal is not to change who your child is, but to help them develop the communication, confidence and everyday life skills they need to thrive.

A child engaged in sensory play during a neuroaffirming therapy session
Our philosophy

What is Neurodiversity-Affirming Support?

Neurodiversity recognises that differences in communication, learning, sensory processing, social interaction and behaviour are a natural part of human diversity.

Rather than trying to make children behave like everyone else, we work alongside them to build skills that improve participation, independence and quality of life — understanding each child’s unique strengths, supporting meaningful communication, building connection, supporting emotional regulation and empowering parents.

When to seek support

Signs Your Child May Benefit

Many families seek support before a diagnosis is received. Not all autistic or neurodivergent children present in the same way.

Communication

Is not talking yet or is a late talker
Delayed speech or language development
Uses fewer words than expected
Repeats words or phrases frequently
Has difficulty expressing needs and wants
Becomes frustrated when trying to communicate

Social interaction

Prefers to play alone
Finds it difficult to engage with peers
Has difficulty with turn-taking
Struggles with joint attention
Appears less interested in interacting
Has difficulty understanding social situations

Sensory processing

Highly sensitive to sounds, smells, textures or movement
Avoids certain clothing or food textures
Becomes overwhelmed in busy environments
Has strong reactions to sensory experiences
Seeks movement, pressure or sensory input

Play & flexibility

Has difficulty with imaginative play
Becomes highly focused on specific interests
Finds changes in routine difficult
Emotional outbursts during transitions
Delays in developmental milestones
Struggles with flexibility in everyday situations
Our approach

Our Neuroaffirming Approach

Child-led and play-based
Family-centred
Neuroaffirming
Strengths-focused
Evidence-informed
Individualised to your child’s needs

We build meaningful relationships, communication, engagement and participation through activities that are enjoyable, motivating and respectful of your child’s unique profile.

What to expect

What Happens During Therapy?

1

Initial Assessment

We begin by getting to know your child and family:

Discussing your concerns and goals
Understanding strengths and interests
Observing communication, play and interaction
Exploring sensory preferences and challenges
Reviewing developmental history
Developing an individualised support plan
2

Therapy Sessions

Tailored to your child and may focus on:

Communication, speech and language
Social interaction and engagement
Play skills
Emotional regulation
Flexibility and coping with change
Participation in daily routines and parent coaching
Communication

Communication in Ways That Work for Your Child

Communication is much more than spoken words. We support children who communicate through speech, gestures, facial expressions and visual supports.

Expressing wants and needs
Building vocabulary
Understanding language
Social communication
Turn-taking and interaction
Reducing communication-related frustration
Related support

Supporting the Whole Child

Many autistic and neurodivergent children benefit from a combination of services:

Early Intervention Speech Therapy

Supporting babies, toddlers and preschool children during the most important years of development.

Speech & Language Therapy

Helping children understand language, use words, combine sentences and communicate more confidently.

Managing Challenging Behaviours

Understanding the reasons behind meltdowns, tantrums and routine refusal, with practical strategies that support emotional regulation and communication.

Parent Training & Education

Practical coaching to help parents support communication, feeding, emotional regulation and development at home.

Global Developmental Delay Support

Supporting children with delays across multiple areas — communication, play, feeding, social interaction and early learning.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Helping children who present with mouth breathing, tongue and lip ties, drooling, tongue thrust, lisps and oral muscle weakness.

Methods

Therapy Approaches We May Use

DIR®/Floortime

Relationship-based, play-focused engagement and emotional development.

Theraplay

Structured play that strengthens relationships and regulation.

Social Skills Development

Understanding interactions and participating confidently.

Sensory Stimulation Strategies

Support for sensory regulation difficulties affecting feeding, communication and participation.

Language & Speech Development

Understanding, expressive language and communication.

Why early support

Why Early Support Matters

Children do not need a diagnosis to benefit from support. Early intervention can help children:

Build communication skills
Develop stronger relationships
Improve participation in everyday activities
Reduce frustration
Build confidence and self-esteem
Strengthen emotional regulation
Develop skills that support future learning
Why RTC

Why Families Choose RTC Speech Pathology

Neuroaffirming support
Individualised therapy plans
Family-centred care
Play-based therapy sessions
Extensive training across multiple therapy approaches
Practical strategies for home, childcare and community
Where we work

Areas We Support Across the Central Coast

Tumbi Umbi · Erina · Gosford · Terrigal · Tuggerah
Woy Woy · Wyong · Berkeley Vale · Killarney Vale · and surrounding communities

Telehealth appointments may also be available for families across NSW where appropriate.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

No. We regularly support children who have developmental concerns but have not yet received a formal diagnosis.

Yes. Our approach focuses on supporting children to communicate, participate and thrive while respecting their individual differences.

Every child is different. We focus on helping children communicate effectively — whether through speech, gestures, visual supports or other methods.

Yes. When children have difficulty communicating their needs, managing sensory experiences or regulating emotions, this can contribute to frustration and behavioural challenges.

Absolutely. Parent involvement is one of the most important factors in helping children generalise skills across environments.

We support babies, toddlers and young children, with a strong focus on early intervention and developmental support.

Get started

Looking for Support for Your Child?

You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. Whether your child has a diagnosis, is waiting for assessment, or you’re simply concerned about communication, social interaction, sensory processing or development, we’re here to help.