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Children living with autism often thrive on structure and predictability. The world can sometimes feel overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities, communication barriers, or difficulties with transitions.

Children living with autism often experience high levels of anxiety. While anxiety is a common emotional response, with autism, children face unique challenges that intensify their symptoms. Understanding the relationship between autism and anxiety, recognising why traditional treatments may need to be adapted, and implementing proactive strategies can significantly improve a child’s mental well-being.

Extracurricular activities can offer valuable benefits for children with autism, fostering social skills, physical coordination, and self-confidence. However, choosing the right activity is crucial to ensuring a positive and rewarding experience. Every child is unique, and selecting an activity that aligns with their interests, sensory preferences, and developmental needs can make all the difference.

For parents of children living with autism, navigating emotional outbursts can be a challenging and often overwhelming experience. Among these behaviours, meltdowns and tantrums are common, yet they stem from different causes and require different approaches. Understanding the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum is crucial for parents, caregivers, and educators to respond effectively and support the child in the best possible way.

When a family has a child with autism, the dynamic of the household is often shaped by the unique needs and experiences of that child. While parents and caregivers naturally focus much of their attention on providing the best possible support the child with their special needs, the experiences of neurotypical siblings should not be overlooked.

Social skill development is a crucial part of every child’s journey, particularly for children living with autism who may need additional support to navigate social interactions. The good news is that everyday activities provide abundant opportunities for practising and strengthening these essential skills.

For some time, we have been cautioning that wholesale change is likely in early intervention. The NDIS Review was clear on both the serious issues and the fixes that are needed.

Each year, December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD), a global observance declared by the United Nations in 1992.

October 2024 has now ticked over, marking the end of another AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Awareness Month.

For children living with autism, navigating communication barriers, sensory sensitivities, and social interaction is difficult.

Meeting enthusiastic and talented candidates is one of the things that I enjoy most as CEO at The Lizard Children’s Centre.

It’s almost time for R U OK? Day, which has become a major event in Australia for raising awareness around mental health. It is a day dedicated to asking a simple question that can result in meaningful, powerful conversations.

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been able to achieve NDIS registration not once, but twice. This is true validation of the quality of our work, and something that benefits each and every one of our clients.

Early intervention programs play a crucial role in supporting the development of young children, particularly those with developmental delays or disabilities.However, it’s important to not approach these efforts in a prescriptive or “one-size-fits-all” manner.

Early intervention therapy is a critical step in supporting children with developmental delays. However, success isn’t just down to what occurs in the home or therapy sessions. Schooling is critical too.

Early childhood intervention services play a crucial role in supporting children's development and helping them reach their full potential. As a parent, your active participation and engagement can significantly enhance the effectiveness of these services.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is not just a methodology, but instead a way of thinking about childhood development that emphasises the importance of understanding the individual needs and behaviours of each child.

Developmental milestones represent the “checkpoints” for a child that typically mark the acquisition of new abilities. They are the building blocks of growth, learning, and development, encompassing a wide range of skills

As a parent of a child with autism, ADHD, or developmental delay, the transition from early intervention to the first year of school is a significant milestone that can evoke a mix of excitement and anxiety.

As a parent of a child with autism, ADHD, or developmental delay, the transition from early intervention to the first year of school is a significant milestone that can evoke a mix of excitement and anxiety.

In this article, we'll explore the significance of allied health collaboration and offer insights into how three crucial disciplines (Behaviour Analysis, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy) can work together to support your child's growth and development.

The Key Worker model is instrumental in delivering effective support and services, particularly within the realm of behaviour analytic therapy for individuals grappling with autism and other disabilities.

Parenting children with disabilities, including autism, presents unique challenges that can be both emotionally and physically demanding.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that can present unique challenges and opportunities for growth.

In the world of autism therapy, parental involvement is key. At the Lizard Centre, we recognise the pivotal role parents play in their child's development.

In this blog, we'll explore some valuable tools and techniques to help parents of children with autism navigate their parenting journey with strength, resilience, and emotional balance.

In this blog, we'll explore some of the most effective PBS strategies to create a supportive environment for your child's learning and growth.

In addition to Behaviour Support, a Behaviour Analyst can help your family in a variety of ways. A BCBA can also help family members understand their child’s needs, communication style and the function of any behaviours of concern.

Today’s blog post will focus on using ABA therapy to teach new skills, which quite often is why families will come to the Lizard Centre in the first place. They want to understand how to help their child learn.

River, one of our clinicians in Brisbane shares their story of how they planned and prepared and worked with their child to go out and be successful in the world, and how this experience informs their practice at Lizard.

We hope that some of these tips and strategies for ABA in school will help your child’s transition into the next chapter of their lives!

Here are a few helpful and handy tips on how to create a safe, motivating, and enriched environment in your home to set your child up for success!

Here are some things to look out for when considering an ABA program for your child.

Whether you’re flying or driving, traveling with kids with ASD for the holidays can be tricky. Here are some tips for helping travel go more smoothly.

Here are some tips for children with ASD over the holidays to help you and your family to reduce the stress and enjoy the holiday season.

Working as a Behaviour Therapist is a rewarding experience where you’ll be changing the lives of children and their families. Anna explains what she enjoys the most about her role.

Two of our Lizard Behaviour Therapists – Isabella from our Sydney centre and Dominque from our Melbourne office – explain what they enjoy most about their roles.

The Lizard Centre has recently become an NDIS registered provider to deliver specialist behaviour support, or positive behaviour support services for children who display behaviours of concern.

The Lizard Centre is absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of its Clinical Excellence Innovation & Research Committee.

At Lizard Centre, our Behaviour Therapists positively influence the future of children with autism and their families.

If you are concerned about your child’s development, you should speak to a professional early.

After 7 years working at the Lizard Centre, Anna, a behaviour support specialist reflects on what she loves the most about her role.

If you suspect your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your journey to understanding your child’s health challenges may include an autism spectrum test.

If you suspect your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your journey to understanding your child’s health challenges may include an autism spectrum test.

If you suspect your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your journey to understanding your child’s health challenges may include an autism spectrum test.

If you suspect your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your journey to understanding your child’s health challenges may include an autism spectrum test.

If you suspect your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your journey to understanding your child’s health challenges may include an autism spectrum test.

Parents are usually the first to notice the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If you visit your GP and they agree that your suspicions may be valid, they will probably suggest getting an ASD diagnosis.

At the Lizard Centre, we take relationship building seriously.

When a child receives an autism spectrum disorder  (ASD) diagnosis, it can be an emotional time.

We understand the participation in your child’s home-based early intervention program may seem overwhelming.

Over the last few decades, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment approach for autism and related disorders.

Here are our Top 10 Tips for accessing the NDIS

One of our Lizard Parents has taken the time to answer some questions and share with us her experience of raising not one but two children with autism.

A Functional Behaviour Assessment is the process of understanding why a behaviour of concern occurs in order to provide effective intervention and replace with more pro-social behaviours that leads to a better quality of life.

A Behaviour Analyst is a professional who helps solve a range of behaviour-related issues for individuals (children and adults) with and without specific diagnoses. 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds reasonable and necessary supports that help a participant to reach their goals, objectives and aspirations, and to undertake activities to enable the participant’s social and economic participation.

Lizard Parent Julia shares the next stage of her and her son Michael's journey that is Life after Diagnosis.

While it’s amazing to see how your child surprises you with what they learn, it’s also important to keep on top of their childhood developmental milestones.

Suspecting your child has autism can be an emotional time for parents. This is especially true if you haven’t had much experience with autism spectrum disorder.

Today, parents of newly diagnosed children are often given a similar treatment recommendation by paediatricians or other allied health professionals: 2 hours of speech therapy and occupational therapy a fortnight.

Suspecting your child might have autism can be scary for parents. If you haven’t had much experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it can be difficult to pick up on some early signs of autism.

Discrete trial teaching (DTT) involves breaking larger skills down into small, or ‘discrete,’ teachable components.

There are currently over 400 advertised interventions for ASD, the majority of which lack scientific support. How can families make an informed decision about which intervention to choose for their loved one with ASD?

Communication is an essential part of life. It allows us to express our ideas and wants to others and understand what others say. While some children have difficulty communicating, there are ways we can help them to use their language skills.

Meet Lizard parent Julia who shares an incredible insight to her journey in the discovery of her son with autism.

The Lizard Centre recognizes that in this time of uncertainty many questions have been asked regarding where, how, and if ABA services can and should be continued in centres and in the home for families currently receiving services.

Lizard Centre now offers a three-month parent training programme developed to decrease challenging behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This programme has been proven highly useful in helping children with autism, and helping the family and social network around them.

Lizard is committed to helping you advocate for funding for what we believe is medically and educationally necessary intervention for your children.

When I first began writing this statement I was really stuck, I guess you could call it writer’s block. How could I possibly sum up a day in the life of a Behaviour Therapist in one short paragraph? Each day in this role is…

In Australia, reputable experts have endorsed ABA-based interventions and Autism programs.

Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI), is an evidence-based, comprehensive intervention for autism spectrum disorders and related challenges based on the principles of ABA. Early Intervention has been shown to be…

Detecting early signs of autism is important to make the most impactful positive change for children with autism to enable them to maximise their potential.

The National Insurance Disability Scheme (NDIS) is tailored to provide support to Australian people living with disabilities. At Lizard, we are well-equipped to help families understand how NDIS funding can assist with early intervention services.

I started with Lizard a little over a year ago and coming from a very corporate background, this was an exciting organization to become a part of. My knowledge of ABA was limited but it was fantastic to learn about, and it was even more…