Forward Steps assists paediatric services in the assessment and diagnosis of pre school children with autism or related communication difficulties and provides support and intervention to families and early year's staff.

Forward Steps provides the following services:

• Early Intervention Programme -  three mornings
• assessment nursery - one afternoon
• home visits
• summer activity club
• family support (see Our place)
• parent workshops
• grandparent group
• Sibsklub (sibling support)
• staff training
• inclusion work in early years settings
• joint working with therapists
• student placements
• volunteer placements
• website and message board

Forward Steps began in 1999 using the TEACCH approach. For many children this is an extremely effective programme that is demonstrated in several studies (Schopler, 1982, Sines, 1996 and Mesibov, 1997). An independent study in 2000 by Professor Noel Sheehy of Queen's University into the use of this intervention at Forward Steps, found that children's development improved and every parent indicated that they would recommend TEACCH to other parents.

Forward Steps is continually evolving and in addition to TEACCH we practice a number of other interventions or combinations of these including, PEC's, Icon to I Can, Keyhole and Principles of Sensory Integration ABA and Floortime.

Essentially at Forward Steps it is the child's needs which dictate the most appropriate content of his/her Individual Development Programme with the agreement of parents and other therapists involved with the child.

Barnardo's vision is that the lives of all children and young people should be free from poverty, abuse and discrimination. Barnardo's purpose is to help the most vulnerable children transform their lives. Barnardo's believes that all children and young people have a fundamental right to:

• the love and support of a family
• a secure home
• physical, emotional and spiritual health
• protection from harm
• good opportunities for education training and employment
• communities, groups and activities which enrich and involve them
• be treated as citizens now with a voice in society

Barnardo's has been working in Northern Ireland since 1899 when the 'Ever Open Door' service opened in Great Victoria Street, Belfast. Today Barnardo's Northern Ireland works with 11,000 children, young people and their families in over 40 different projects throughout Northern Ireland.