Page 37 - HA Convention 2016 [Abstracts (Day 1)]

Masterclasses HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2016

M6.2 Autistic Spectrum of Diseases 14:30 Room 423 & 424

Application of Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based/Floortime Model in the Psychiatric Tuesday, 3 May
Service for Very Young Children with Autism in Hong Kong
Mok JWS
Department of Clinical Psychology, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong

In our Autism Spectrum Distorder (ASD) Clinic, there is a recent trend that the age of children referred is getting younger.
Current advances in early detection science make ASD markers more observable since toddlerhood. An age-appropriate
intervention programme deems necessary that fits these young children’s developmental characteristics.

The developmental, individual-differences, relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime model is a relationship-based developmental
approach, which encourages caregivers to follow their child’s emotions and interests, and to interact with them in a natural
social environment. It is tailor-made to each child’s individual differences in his/her sensory-motor profile, and helps him/her
grow along a roadmap of the functional emotional developmental milestones. The Floortime goal is to promote positive affect
with the children so as to re-engage them in co-regulated affective interactions. This lays down the healthy foundation for
higher levels of social, emotional, and intellectual capacities.

This presentation will include the principles of DIR/Floortime model, and the theoretical basis of its application to very young
children with autism. Worldwide empirical support and local pilot studies will be examined. Besides, it also shares our
experiences in applying this model in a local psychiatric setting, and states how it addresses our current service gaps and
the challenges we face in our service provision. Future directions for local autism services for very young children will also be
discussed.

M6.3 Autistic Spectrum of Diseases 14:30 Room 423 & 424

Outcome of the Early Symptom Management Programme at Yaumatei Child Psychiatric Centre
Tam W, Poon M, Tang CP
Yaumatei Child Psychiatric Centre, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are associated with
impairments that have life-time consequences and impact on families. There is an increasing service demand in recent
years. Researchers found that early and timely interventions are most effective in alleviating their behavioural problems
and emotional symptoms. Specifically, psychosocial and behavioural interventions are some of the essential modalities of
interventions.

The Early Symptom Management Programme (E-MaP) is a structured programme designed to provide early intervention
to patients presenting with ASD or ADHD symptoms who are on waiting list for new case assessment at Yaumatei Child
Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic. The patients are recruited through screening. Occupational therapist will then implement an
intervention programme to the screened patients. The content of the intervention programme includes:

(1) Developmental and prerequisite learning skills assessment and training

(2) Management of behavioural problems

(3) Development of school/classroom attending behaviours

(4) Parent/Caregiver training

(5) Telephone support

The total service duration lasts for three to six months. About 700 patients below six years old received the service in the
past seven years. Significant improvement was seen in the patients’ performance in the Symbolic Play Test, specific subtests
of Psychoeducational Profile-Revised and Vineland Adaptive Scale. This result showed that the programme can effectively
help the clients to improve their functional performance, play, social behaviours and communication skills at home and/or
at school. Moreover, all parents are invited to fill in the feedback and evaluation questionnaire to collect their opinion to the
service upon discharge. Over 80% of the parents found the programme successful in assisting them to understand their
children’s need; effectively improve the children’s emotional and behaviour; and providing valuable support to them.

The positive findings suggested that the programme has been successfully supporting the special needs of children and
caregivers.

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