Who is the program for?
The Autism Program at The Melbourne Clinic is for adults aged 18+ years with a diagnosis of Autism.
How was the program developed?
The Neuropsychology Service at The Melbourne Clinic co-designed the program with 12 Autistic adults with lived experience, over 2 stages. The program remains informed by participant feedback, with further refinements made in co-design with lived experience participants.
How will it help me?
This program promotes a strengths-based and neuroaffirming approach to Autism. It is focused on exploring the features of Autism in a safe, supportive, small group environment with other Autistic adults.
The program involves daily group therapy sessions that will involve provision of information, practical activities and skill building, and group-based discussion. The program content will explore topics of: Autistic identity, strengths of Autism, preferences for sensory processing and communication, and managing overwhelm. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore skills around mindfulness, understanding and responding to emotions, and coping with distress and overwhelm, within a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) framework. The program focuses on supporting participants to integrate preferred skills into their own personal therapy and treatment goals.
When does the program run?
The Autism Program at The Melbourne Clinic is a two-week inpatient program. It runs multiple times throughout the year, on designated dates. Please contact intake to enquire about upcoming program dates.
The fax number for intake is (03) 9420 9351
What should I expect while admitted for the program?
Participants will attend daily group therapy sessions, Monday to Friday of each week of the program (there are no group therapy sessions on weekends). There are a total of three group therapy sessions per day, with scheduled breaks in between.
Participants will be admitted to The Melbourne Clinic on the Thursday or Friday prior to commencement of the group program the following Monday morning. Participants will be discharged from The Melbourne Clinic on the Saturday morning following completion of the second week of the program.
How do I access the program?
A referral from your GP or internal/external psychiatrist is required. Referrals should be sent to the TMC inpatient program team at tmcinpatientprograms@healthscope.com.au
Please click HERE for more information about the referral process for an inpatient admission to The Melbourne Clinic.
More information?
Click HERE for the Autism Program brochure for more information.