Spectrum Space actively seeks partnerships with local and national research institutions to validate service approaches and use evidence based practice.
Spectrum Space has a strengths-based approach to the services it delivers and it is a red thread through everything it does. This approach, developed under our previous name ‘Autism West’, concentrates on the inherent strengths that an individual has with the goal to focus on the positive. This model has been validated in partnership with Curtin University; A Strength-Based Program for Adolescents with Autism.
Spectrum Space (as ‘Autism West’) was also co-author on the research paper “We Can See a Bright Future”: Parents’ Perceptions of the Outcomes of Participating in a Strengths-Based Program for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This paper looked at how a strengths-based program designed to support autistic children and adolescents to develop interests and skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics positively impacted participants’ sense of belonging, confidence and self-esteem, health and well-being, social relationships and interactions, and activities and participation.
Our partnership with Curtin and Deakin Universities resulted in a ground-breaking therapy app called TOBY (Therapy Outcomes By You), an early intervention app designed to teach parents how to easily embed autism therapy into their daily routine. The play based activities are aimed at 2-4 year old children with autism. TOBY is now managed by Deakin University.
In 2014, Spectrum Space seed funded the Curtin Specialist Mentoring Program (CSMP), a peer support mentoring program specifically designed for students with an autism spectrum or related condition. The mentors help guide and support those on the spectrum to reach their academic, employment and personal goals. For further details click here.
