Clinic a hidden gem on Coast
Fri 04 November 2011
Sarah MacDonald, Bachelor of Journalism
People with Aspergers Syndrome (AS) and Autism (ASC) are no longer alone, as a clinic specialising in the two neurobiological conditions opens on the Sunshine Coast.
MindMattrz Psychology Clinic and Centre for Aspergers Syndrome and Autism is based in Marcoola, and while it has only been open since April 2011, it has been a huge success.
MindMattrz founder and director Tania Marshall said the clinic was about early intervention, education and providing services for people aged 2-25 years old, also known as the “tech” generation.
“We’re an early intervention clinic providing assessment, diagnosis and intervention programs for individuals and groups,” Ms Marshall said.
Ms Marshall has just opened up their education centre, which is dedicated to helping students with learning disabilities, unique learning profiles, who may be attending school through distance education or for people with ASC and/or AS who are falling through the cracks.
Ms Marshall, who moved to the Sunshine Coast from Canada in 2009, she said she was surprised by the lack of services in Australia.
“When I moved to Australia, I was stunned by the inadequate resources and services within the area of mental health in general, but in particular, for those families and individuals affected by ASC and AS,” Ms Marshall said.
“I opened the MindMattrz clinic to meet the enormous needs of families and the high demand for mental health services.
“The main purpose of MindMattrz is to function as a multi-disciplinary clinic, meeting the needs of the families affected by mental health issues.
“Our goal is to minimise the strains on families who have to travel long distances, in addition to providing best practice services from multiple disciplines.”
The clinic has a therapy dog called Nevaeh, who has task specific skills which helps the children learn everyday tasks such as taking turns and how to play appropriately with pets, but it is best known for the Secret Agent Society program (SAS).
“The SAS program was created to help children with the conditions ASC and AS to develop their social skills and manage their emotions,” Ms Marshall said.
“SAS is a revolutionary social skills program for children aged 8-12 with High Functioning Autistic Spectrum Condition or AS.
“It’s been used successfully in helping children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and anxiety disorders.”
Ms Marshall believed that people, including children, who have AS were highly misunderstood.
“In my experience I’ve heard references from attention-seeking, naughty, misbehaving, anti-social, odd and eccentric all the way to bad parenting and just needing a good smack,” Ms Marshall said.
“At MindMattrz, we’re committed to educating the public, educators and professionals about celebrating individuals, unique learning styles and brain differences.
“I think shows like X-Factor that highlight talented young people with AS are fantastic.”
One young person who knows what it was like growing up with AS and feeling misunderstood is Kristen Veltmeyer, 28, was diagnosed only a few months ago.
Ms Veltmeyer works at MindMattrz as a facilitator for the SAS program, and said not knowing she had AS was tough.
“It’s extremely difficult and it got harder the older I got,” Ms Veltmeyer said.
Ms Veltmeyer said as a young girl growing up she found it difficult to do “normal things”.
“It’s as if our brains have no ‘filter’ and you get all the competing visuals, movement and sound at the same time overlapping," Ms Veltmeyer said.
“If this goes on for too long in an extremely busy place, I have a sensory overload and get severe migraines and vomit.
“As a result, I can only last about two hours in very busy places. It made situations like school, restaurants and concerts challenging.”
Ms Veltmeyer viewed her diagnoses as a positive thing in her life.
“After the initial shock I was both relieved and elated,” Ms Veltmeyer said.
“Life is great for me now and I love the fact that my AS is now seen as an asset in my work.
“It helps me connect with children, parents and professionals as I am often a ‘translator’ for these children as they have not yet learnt the theory to recognise their feelings or how to communicate them.
“I know from life experience how challenging it can be for these families, and I’m extremely proud to be delivering a program that is providing outstanding results.”
Ms Veltmeyer said working with young people with AS was the most rewarding thing she had ever done.
“It’s also the best healer to know that I am helping children and they won’t have to suffer like I did.”
MindMattrz plans to open another clinic in the near future.
Image(s) designed by Sarah MacDonald
Enter comments about this article
Submitted Comments
Wow! What a wonderfully well-written article. It is so good to see media highlighting solutions that help families. Thank you.
Lynn
Mindmatrrz have been an immense help to my family and ASC community. It is so wonderful to see a professional that just “gets” you and your children and has a great understanding in ASC. Thank Mindmattrz for everything you have done for the ASC community. We all really appreciate your clinic.
Lisa Aspie Mum