Do you want to better understand your child’s communication cues - and feel empowered to support their social communication development? PACT (Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy) is an evidence-based parent coaching program that helps caregivers recognise and respond to their child's communication cues.
With the support of your CliniKids therapist, you’ll learn practical strategies to understand your child’s unique way of communicating - and learn helpful ways to tune in, play, respond and build stronger everyday interactions with your child.
Note: Many of our clients have autism or developmental delay, however no diagnosis is required to take part in this therapy program. PACT is appropriate for children at any stage of communication, from those that are using no or few words to those that are using sentences.
PACT therapy at a glance
Who it's for: Parents and caregivers of children aged 2-10.9.
Many of our clients have a child with autism or developmental delay, however no diagnosis is required.
Who attends the sessions: Both you and your child.
Delivered by: A CliniKids clinician trained in PACT therapy
When: Fortnightly sessions.
Where: In person at our Subiaco or Joondalup clinics, or online via telehealth.
Interested? Fill in the form below - it only takes 2 minutes to complete.
Enquire“I like that it is neuroaffirming. It is all about connecting with my child by following his lead in play… my child and I feel closer now and better connected.” – past PACT participant
What to expect
During sessions, you'll be filmed interacting naturally with your child through everyday play and activities. Then, your therapist will review short video clips with you, highlighting moments of connection you may not have noticed, and helping you recognise your child's communication cues, where you are already responding well and opportunities to try in future. Together, you'll explore practical strategies that you can continue using at home between sessions.
Many parents tell us that watching these interactions with their therapist helps them notice the things they are already doing well, as well as small changes that make a big difference to how they connect with their child. They also tell us that they still use skills learnt in PACT years after completing the program.
The benefits of PACT therapy
Understand when and what your child is trying to communicate with you
- Learn to interpret your child’s communication cues
- Feel more confident supporting your child's communication at home.
- Recognise opportunities to encourage interaction during everyday routines
Enjoyable, outcome-focused therapy sessions
- PACT is a fun, interactive form of therapy that is engaging for both the child and caregiver.
- The program is strengths-focused and is tailored to a family’s individual needs and goal
- Learn practical communication strategies you can use at home
Develop a stronger connection with your child
- Learn to better connect with your child during everyday moments like play, mealtimes and reading books
- Experience more enjoyable interactions at home
- Build ways of interacting with your child that increase engagement
Long-term improvements
- Build skills you can continue using every day - not just during therapy sessions – for years to come.
- PACT is evidence-based, and one of the few autism therapies to show long-term impact in children’s social communication. The research shows that children who receive PACT therapy have positive impacts on their development, which persist long past when the family have completed the PACT program.
“I think my child seeks me out more now, as he knows I’m a fun play partner. Because I validate his initiations and ideas in play, I think he is more confident approaching play with his peers.” – past PACT participant
Got questions? Check out the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions below. Want to ask something else? Contact us on 08 6319 1133 or at clinikids.reception@thekids.org.au and one of our friendly Client Support Officers will be able to assist you.
FAQs
Is PACT therapy for my child or for me?
PACT is a parent coaching program. While your child takes part in the sessions with you, the therapist focuses on coaching you so you can better recognise and respond to your child's communication during everyday interactions. While the focus during sessions is on the parent, the PACT program benefits both parent and child.
Does my child need to have an autism diagnosis?
Many of the families we work with have an autistic child or a child with developmental delay, however no diagnosis is required for this program. Our clinicians focus on your child's unique strengths and support needs. If you're unsure whether PACT is the right fit for your family, get in touch and our friendly Client Support Officers can help guide you.
What is the time commitment for the PACT therapy program?
Each in-clinic PACT session is 90 minutes, while Telehealth PACT sessions are 60 minutes long. (If you opt to complete the PACT program via Telehealth, you’ll record your interactions at home in your own time, and will share them with your Clinician in advance of your appointment).
The PACT program involves attending 12 fortnightly sessions (over six months). Between sessions, you will be encouraged to practise PACT strategies daily during play with your child, for around 30 minutes a day.
Is PACT in-person or online?
You can book your PACT communication therapy sessions to take place either in person in our CliniKids clinics in either Subiaco or Joondalup, or online via telehealth.
Is PACT evidence-based?
Yes, PACT is an evidence-based communication therapy. It’s one of the few autism programs to show long-term reduction in difficulties usually linked with autism ‘severity’. In a large clinical trial (152 participants), preschool children receiving PACT showed improvements in social communication and a reduction in the difficulties associated with repetitive behaviours and restricted interests. These changes were sustained into middle childhood, six years after the end of therapy.
In other studies, PACT has also been applied successfully in children up to 10 years of age and in culturally and linguistically diverse groups. The findings of research into PACT have been published internationally in peer reviewed journals and the studies have been recognised for their strong study design and scientific rigour.
When interpreting these research findings, it's important to note that while PACT targets improving social communication, it embraces differences and attributes. It focuses on realising individual potential instead of aiming to ‘normalise’ or ‘mask’ atypical behaviour; a valued priority reported within the autism community.
Why does PACT use video feedback?
Video feedback allows you and your therapist to look closely at real interactions with your child. Together you'll identify communication cues and opportunities that can sometimes be difficult to notice in the moment, helping you build practical strategies you can continue using at home.
What funding options does CliniKids accept?
CliniKids accepts NDIS and private funding. Some CliniKids services may be eligible for a Medicare rebate with a valid referral or Medicare-funded care plan. Families can also utilise their private health insurance at their discretion.
What is CliniKids?
CliniKids is The Kids Research Institute Australia’s first clinical service, providing therapies and supports for young children, including those with autism and developmental delay. The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of Australia’s largest paediatric medical research institutes. At CliniKids, our team of world-class researchers and experienced clinicians work in collaboration to provide children with the very best evidence-based therapies and programs.
Our clinical team provides services to both private and NDIS-funded families across paediatric speech pathology, occupational therapy and psychology in Perth. We support children aged between 3-8 years old with autism and developmental delay.
We have two locations offering psychology, occupational therapy and speech pathology in Perth, located at Subiaco and Joondalup. CliniKids is an NDIS registered provider. In addition, we provide webinars, our popular 60-Second Science video series and other autism resources in our Information Hub. You can find more autism resources here.
Enquire
Complete the form below (it only takes two minutes). Once submitted, one of our friendly Client Support Officers will be in touch.
Read more about PACT: Unpacking PACT - a program supporting child communication
CliniKids offers a range of parent coaching programs, including:
- Empower-Autism, an online group program for parents and carers of children recently diagnosed as autistic. Learn evidence-based strategies for parenting your autistic child from facilitated group discussion and explore how to support your own parenting experience and wellbeing.
- Occupational Performance Coaching - an evidence-based parent coaching program where parents and caregivers work 1:1 with an occupational therapist. Together, you’ll set goals to support your child’s participation in everyday life, and[TP1] [BH2] help make your parenting experience more enjoyable.
PACT training for professionals
We offer professional training to clinicians who would like to become certified to deliver PACT communication therapy. PACT clinicians are often Speech Pathologists, but may come from a range of professional backgrounds. You can find more information about our PACT training for clinicians here.