Event
JASPER | Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation | Communication Therapy | CliniKids
Description
What is JASPER?
The Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation (JASPER) approach is a therapy approach designed for preschool and school-aged children who have differences in play and social communication skills.
CliniKids is the only provider of the JASPER therapy program in Australia.
How does JASPER work?
JASPER uses behavioural principles, along with naturalistic strategies, to teach children skills that lay the foundation for social communication.
- Clinicians work directly with the child through play-based sessions.
- The therapy involves an initial assessment, followed by weekly 45-60-minute sessions.
- JASPER is usually delivered as a ‘block,’ meaning it is delivered intensively for a set time period (often three months), rather than the child receiving JASPER on an ongoing basis.
The clinician uses strategies including imitating, modelling, adjusting the environment, and expanding on play routines and language to achieve goals.
Who is JASPER suitable for?
JASPER is suitable for preschool and school-aged autistic children with a range of play abilities, including children who are at an exploring level of play (e.g., banging, or mouthing toys) to those who can use pretend skills in play (e.g., pretending a block is a piece of food and feeding it to a doll, or role playing).
JASPER is suitable for children who are pre-verbal, to those who speak in sentences, and is available at CliniKids for children aged up until 8 years.
Is JASPER backed by research?
JASPER is an evidence-based program that is backed by research. It has been tested by independent researchers in randomised controlled trials with autistic children aged 12 months to 8 years old. Studies around JASPER's efficacy have shown improvements in joint engagement, social communication and play skills. The findings of research into JASPER have been published in peer-reviewed journals. It was one of two social communication approaches recommended by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as evidence-based (2013). We do not currently have research around the use of JASPER in an Australian context.
