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159 - Early childhood communication support, Diakonie, Austria
C
ONTACT
Diakonie Zentrum Spattstraße gemeinnützige GmbH
Ms. Andrea Leonhartsberger
Austria
www.spattstrasse.at+436765123872
andrea.leonhartsberger@spattstrasse.atO
VERALL GOAL
/
MISSION
Communication is the base for self-determination and for participation in education and community life. Children with
impairments have difficulties to express themselves verbally and face therefore misinterpretation. This is not necessarily
due to a mental impairment. Early childhood is the most critical phase how to learn to communicate. We show non-
speaking children at home how they can interact with their environment. Child and parents learn to express needs and
desires and to react adequately. We care for children with major difficulties how to speak as we as children with autism,
Down syndrome, etc. For families we offer medical and therapeutic indication reports and check if alternative forms of
communication are necessary and helpful. Furthermore, we offer support with assisted communication in the daily life
process, we well as guidance for parents and consulting regarding the interdisciplinary cooperation of support
institutions.
T
HE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED
The environmental surrounding as well as the capabilities of the child determine out guidance. We integrate the most
important persons of reference and communication partners. The knowledge of the family is combined with our
expertise in early childhood communication support. Together with the persons of reference, we develop adequate
communication methods, which can be integrated in the daily routines. We use sign language supported
communication, electronic devices, symbols, pictures, photos, pictograms. Our interdisciplinary team consists of a
linguist, a special kinder garden nurses and a speech therapist; all of them of attended education for supported
communication. A child psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist are available if needed. This service is offered in all Upper
Austria (an Austrian county state). Early childhood support is offered at home and is conducted usually once a week for
90 minutes. Target groups are children between two and six years old.
C
OUNTRY IN WHICH IT WAS DEVELOPED
:
Austria
C
OUNTRY
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COUNTRIES IN WHICH IT IS OPERATING
:
Austria
F
ACTS ABOUT SIZE AND SCOPE
1.
App. 60 children/month receive support