The call to better understand children with autism has taken center stage in recent years, and we couldn’t be happier about this. Raising awareness of autism is vital so that autistic children are treated fairly and as equals, especially by their peers. If you are unfamiliar with what the disorder is, here’s a quick roundup. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a development disorder that impairs a person’s ability to communicate as well as interact. The disorder is entirely manageable, but it does come with many challenges. However, there are many solutions available today, like Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of therapy available for children with autism.
Behavioral management therapy
The basic idea of behavioral management therapy is for the child to unlearn unwanted behaviors while simultaneously reinforcing wanted behaviors. This therapy involves parents and caregivers as well, as it offers a guide on what to do before, during, and after problematic episodes.
Cognitive behavior therapy
Probably something that many people struggle with is how to manage and regulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This is where cognitive behavioral therapy comes in. Together with the parents, the therapist will set up a goal for the child that aims to allow them to show specific thoughts that trigger them or lead to problematic behavior. This form of treatment prioritizes what works for the individual. There are also many studies available regarding cognitive behavior therapy and why it works well into adulthood.
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Early intervention
It’s been proven that early detection that leads to immediate intervention before a child is two years old yields more positive results later on. While not all children can be diagnosed before the age of two, early intervention is always welcomed, and typically occurs before children reach preschool age, which is a critical point. While the sooner, the better may seem cliche, early intervention helps the child to live a much better life later. This allows for more time for the child and their family to learn to live with the disorder and manage any triggers.
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Educational-based therapy
Depending on the country you are in, there will be a range of educational services available for children with special needs. In certain countries, these services are completely free. Educational-based therapy offers a customized treatment that uses special classroom-based learning or school-based learning to help children with autism. The programs must be suited to a child’s specific needs to be effective, as well as minimize restrictions on what the child will typically be learning and interacting with.
Joint attention therapy
What is joint attention? This is when you can focus on a person or object simultaneously. Think about it this way, joint attention is when you are speaking to someone, and you follow their visual cues by following with your eyes or moving your head as they move theirs. Children with autism struggle with this. Joint attention therapy is important as it teaches the individual to improve on specific skills that deal with attention. These include pointing, showing, and coordinating between a person and objects.
Medication
Many people choose not to go this route , which is perfectly fine. And while there is no actual medication that will cure autism, there are medical drugs available that can help to treat certain symptoms associated with autism. It is always important to consult with a doctor and therapists to understand what will work for your child.
Nutritional therapy
It’s essential to speak to a healthcare provider or dietician to design a meal plan for your child. Autistic children sometimes do not eat due to the food not feeling great inside their mouths, or sometimes they associate certain foods with pain, leading them not to eat those either. A way to treat this is by having a healthcare professional design an eating plan that will work for your child.
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Occupational therapy
This is probably one of the more well-known forms of therapy. Occupational therapy works wonders for a range of disorders too. An occupational therapist will help a child to manage their condition by assisting them in making the most of their needs, abilities, as well as their interests. Occupational therapists might find everyday objects that can make the child’s life easier, such as a specific plate, knife and fork set that the child will use daily. And teach them personal care skills, which include grooming and getting dressed.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are NDIS supported occupational therapy services.
Some of the other therapies include:
- Parent mediated
- Physical
- Social skills training
- Speech-language
