Every child deserves
the opportunity to achieve to the
best of their abilities.
I am 100% committed to providing the most
appropriate individualised intervention
to support your child to achieve this.
Symetry Psychological Services
Symetry Psychological Services was established in 1999. The founder and principal psychologist is Sharon Monahan BPsych Hons(Psych).
_________________________________________________________________________________
About me
I registered with the Psychology Board of Queensland in 2001 and established my private practice as a psychologist with a specialist interest in learning disability, ADHD, autism, and pervasive developmental disorders. I hold current registration as a general psychologist with the AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia. I am a current member of the Association for Contextual Behaviour Science and a member of the Australian College of Clinical Psychologists.
_________________________________________________________________________________
My Philosophy
I firmly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve to the best of their abilities. I believe that a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), should not prevent a child from achieving this goal. Nor should it prevent a child from obtaining a developmentally-appropriate individualised education.
I recognise however that a child with autism spectrum and/or communication disorders needs the support of a trained learning partner to scaffold their learning process. Children with autism experience the world in different ways and it is the challenge for those that aspire to be their learning partners to first to see it "their way" before trying to help them to see it "our way".
Motivated parents, like you, often tell me they have spent 100s of hours searching the internet for learning materials, tools, resources and supports for a child with limited communication skills or autism spectrum disorder only to be left unsure as to what is really appropriate for their child. I see my role primarily as mentor and teacher with the aim to support you through the autism minefield and to empower you also to be the best you can be (for your child with autism spectrum disorder and for you).
________________________________________________________________________________
Best Practice
Symetry Psychological Services aims to provide the highest quality assessment, interventions, training, and support for families of children with pervasive developmental disorders, based on quality research and evidence-based practices, to assist in the social-emotional and intellectual development of clients with pervasive developmental delays and autism spectrum disorders.
Individualised interventions take in to consideration your child's unique developmental profile. Each child has a unique range of strengths and weaknesses. It is my goal to provide developmentally-appropriate interventions using the best procedures and methodology available to ensure your child is supported to gain skills across all area of development.
A number of research outcome studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Applied Behaviour Analysis and Cognitive Behaviour Therapies for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
I recommend and use the following interventions:
- Discrete-Trial-Trial Training (DTT)
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Verbal Behaviour (VB)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfully-based CBT
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Floortime
- Affect-Based Language Curriculum (ABLC)
- Developmental, Individual, Relationship (DIR)
- Adaptive and Functional Skills Training
- Social Skills Training
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
It is my firm belief that a dynamic interactive intervention programme can and should be developed, integrating our growing understanding of the neural processes associated with encoding and retrieving information. All my interventions include specific techniques for developing executive functions, working memory, problem-solving, planning and reasoning, and theory of mind.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
need one-on-one support
in the classroom and in the community.
Children with ASD and PDD have specific social-emotional needs which leave them unable to gain the best from their schooling without substantial adult support. I advocate inclusive education wherever possible and am available to train therapists and teachers to shadow a child with autism in mainstream education facilities. However, if an inclusive education actually means "being excluded within the classroom", and a child is unable to thrive, then I advocate individualised and specialised interventions external to mainstream education. This can sometimes mean me advocating for increased financial support for families who choose to provide appropriate home-based intensive interventions for their children.
Planning for successful transition to adulthood can never start too early. Children with autism, developmental delay, communication disorder social-emotional, or intellectual impairment deserve quality interventions, appropriate education, and support for life. This includes support to engage in socially appropriate community activities, support to transition from school to work if appropriate, and support to transition from home to adult accommodation when the time comes.
I am highly focused on increasing public awareness of autism and pervasive developmental disorders as a life-long condition but one that can benefit from intervention at 'any' stage of life.
_________________________________________________________________________________
My commitment to further education
I am currently completing doctoral level research in neuro-psychology. My research focuses on brain activity related to prospective memory retrieval processes (the things we plan to do).
I tutored at Griffith University and Australian Catholic University for many years. I tutored introductory cognitive and biological psychology, research design and statistical analysis. I also tutored special education pre-service teachers in developmental psychology, positive behaviour support, and applied behaviour analysis.
For several years I provided supervision and training in behavioural analysis for privately-funded teacher-aides who "shadowed" children with a developmental disability within mainstream preschool and/or childcare facilities. I strongly support this model of service provision and actively work to promote this cost-effective model to our politicians and disability service providers.
I presented papers at two conferences (2003, 2004) emphasizing a need for collaboration between psychologists and schools in implementing intensive behavioural interventions, and advocating for an ABA-trained classroom aide to support children with autism within mainstream education. (Read the 2003 paper for free here and the 2004 conference proceedings for free here)
I took a slight break from private practice for two years to supervise and coordinate an outreach program run by St Vincent de Paul Society (Child and Family Program) supporting families who for various reasons had entered the Child Protection system. Home-based interventions formed the basis of our outreach. Additionally, we were able to offer counselling and supports to children who had experienced trauma, abuse or neglect and who were now being cared for by foster carers.
I regularly provide Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) training workshops for therapists, teacher aides, or disability support staff. In 2001, I supported ABIQ to provide training to parents and potential behavioural (ABA) therapists.
I have been working in the disability sector for over 15 years and in that time have supported individuals with ASD from toddlers to adults. I am not afraid to get my "hands dirty". I have worked with toddlers on toileting skills, with young children on their play, school-aged children on their academic skills, and pre-teens on their social skills. I was a contracted clinician to Disability Services Queensland for over five years providing quality interventions and behavioural supports to children with challenging behaviours and their families. I now work full-time for Department of Communities (Disability Services) ensuring that adults with intellectual impairment and severely challenging behaviour enjoy the best quality of life possible.
I remain passionate about my work with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I never cease to be impressed by their abilities and their resilience in the face of their difficulties.
I continue to maintain a small private psychological practice in south-east Queensland.
_________________________________________________________________________________
My Vision
It has been my dream to provide a "place of peace" for children with autism and their families.
Whether it be a retreat, a resource centre, a day programme, or a fully-serviced school for children with autism spectrum disorders, one thing is clear to me:
There is great need for such a place here in south-east Queensland!
If you would like to offer support, in any form, please email me.
