How Do I Know Which Autism Therapy Is Right For My Child

Neurodiverse children and adults experience the world in different ways to neurotypical people. For example, they may respond differently to sounds, sights, and sensations due to how they process the things happening around them.

However, the issue is that the world is built for neurotypical people and their comfort, meaning that the varying needs of the neurodiverse population are not taken into account. While there has been plenty of positive change in terms of inclusivity (such as sensory-friendly film screenings) in recent years, there is still a long way to go.

As a result, psychologists have developed a range of intervention techniques used to support those with autism and related disorders so that they can reach their full potential. One such intervention is therapy.

In this guide, we will walk you through some of the different forms of therapy available at our clinic and how to decide which program is right for you.

Applied Behavior Analysis.

Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is a therapy program based on our behaviors, habits, and thought patterns. It teaches children with autism and related disorders how one action can lead to another – making it a great way to promote positive behaviors and decrease those that may be problematic.

During ABA sessions, children will:

• Develop their communication skills. (Language, comprehension, body language, eye contact, mirroring & more).
• Learn how to manage or counter negative behaviors, such as
• Develop useful life skills, such as academic and pre-academic skills needed to succeed in school.

ABA therapies were designed with conditions such as autism in mind, meaning they are suitable for any child who has received a diagnosis. However, you may find them particularly beneficial if your child showcases a lot of negative behaviors.

Speech therapy.

As the name indicates, speech therapy targets any problems the user may have with speech or communication. It has been used to support those with various speech impediments since 1919 – making it an incredibly reliable intervention technique.

During speech therapy, children will:

• Develop their communication and language skills.
• Focus on comprehension and how to interpret feelings through tone of voice.
• Work to understand non-verbal communication and its functions.
• Work on self-expression and finding their voice.
• Focus on maintaining eye contact during conversations.

You may find speech therapy beneficial if your child is non-verbal or finds it hard to communicate with others. Ahead of time, your therapist will be able to talk you through the program and the different techniques that will be used. For example, one way in which we improve speech during our sessions is by practicing exercises that strengthen the muscles in our mouth, jaw, and neck. They will also be able to inform you about what kind of progress you can expect during your time together.

Occupational therapy.

Occupation therapy is perhaps the most popular therapy for children and related disorders. It focuses on helping children develop a range of daily living skills to better navigate the world around them – touching on both cognitive and physical skills in doing so.

During occupational therapy, children will:

• Develop practical life skills, such as grooming and getting dressed.
• Work on tackling any sensory issues they may deal with.
• Try to improve their communication skills and ability to react (and play) with others in social environments.
• Work on building their confidence.

As a result, occupational therapy can be useful for all children with autism and related disorders due to the wide scope of skills it covers. As your program can be tailored to your child’s individual needs, it can be used to cover any gaps in their knowledge or skill set that would otherwise stand in their way of reaching their full potential. As such, it may be beneficial for children who are experiencing developmental delays. For example, you may notice that your child reaches certain milestones much later than their older sibling did.

Group Therapy.

Whenever we think of therapy sessions, it’s easy to think of the way they are depicted in movies – where you lie on a sofa and work with a therapist one-on-one. However, this is not always the case. To begin, therapies for children are much more active, as this is often the best way to make progress. Furthemore, group therapy – whether that be in the form of family sessions or peer support groups, can also prove to be very beneficial when it comes to autism and related disorders.

During group therapy, children will:

• Work through typical therapeutic or developmental exercises (as discussed above) in a group setting, either with other children with autism and related disorders or their families.
• Develop valuable skills in empathy, communication, and social interactions.

Group therapy can be an excellent way for your child to come out of their shell, especially as it helps them interact with other children who experience the world the same way they do. It can also be a valuable tool for families, as it gives you a greater insight into what your child is experiencing and gives you the chance to connect with other parents. For siblings of those with autism, it can help them learn why their brother/sister acts a little differently.

Our success, both within our personal lives and in the professional realm, is often dictated by how we are able to communicate with those around us. After all, so much of our time is dedicated to social interaction and interpersonal relationships, even during the pandemic when the majority of these interactions occurred behind the screen.

However, for children with autism and related disorders, developing effective communication skills is harder than it would be for the average neurotypical person. In fact, it’s estimated that 40% of people with autism are nonverbal – with many others finding verbal or face-to-face communication difficult (AutismSpeaks)

While no two people experience autism in the same way, those with autism or related disorders may face communication barriers such as:

• Difficulty developing language skills.
• Difficulty regarding comprehension or understanding what others are saying or why they might be saying it.
• Poor understanding of non-verbal communication skills, such as body language, facial expressions, or gestures.
• Inability to maintain eye contact during conversation.
• Difficulty with self-expression.

However, there are various steps you can take to help your child with autism find their voice – with one of the most effective methods being therapy services such as speech therapy.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech Therapy has a long and well-documented history and rose to prominence in the early 19th century. While it is an effective tool for those with autism and related disorders, it is also used to support children and adults with learning difficulties, language disorders, and those who experience hearing loss (amongst others).

During the typical speech therapy session, participants will work alongside a licensed therapist to develop a wide range of communication skills that will enable them to thrive in any environment.

These services often help children with autism and related disorders in all aspects of their life. For example, they may find it easier to communicate with their peers and develop better interpersonal relationships as a result. They can also help ready teens for entering the professional world. However (and perhaps most importantly), speech therapy can help children with autism, and related disorders discover the benefits of self-expression. When they can communicate more effectively, they’ll be able to let others know when they are unhappy and why – which could reduce the chances of them dealing with meltdowns or emotional outbursts.

What skills are developed in Speech Therapy?

Again, the nature of the speech therapy support will vary depending on the individual in question. However, these sessions often include:

• Learning how to better understand and approach certain emotions. For example, learning how facial expressions express both positive and negative feelings and how we can respond to these non-verbal cues.
• Learning how to attribute meaning and nuance to non-verbal signs of communication. For example, children may be asked to match facial expressions, gestures, or body language to specific phrases or sayings. This is sometimes achieved through the use of Social Stories. This technique will help children recognize these social cues moving forward to better respond to these situations.
• Learning how to modulate tone of voice to convey emotions. This technique can also be used to understand speech patterns and nuances in conversation, such as sarcasm.
• Working on making clearer speech sounds or even developing muscles in the mouth or jaw to facilitate this.
• Encouraging children with autism or related disorders to expand their communication skills so that they can discuss a wide range of topics aside from their special interests.
• Working on general social skills and understanding when it is their turn to contribute to a conversation or when communication is expected of them.

At Alee Behavioral, we provide children with autism and their families with a range of therapy services – including speech therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and home-based therapeutic services. Get in touch to find out more!