Every child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is different. So, there is no on-size-fit-all therapy. You can use the same therapy to treat different children. However, there are some proven therapies that work better than others for children suffering from Autism.
If a child has been treated with Autism, parents get overwhelmed with the feeling of being helpless and don’t know where to turn for help. If you are one of the parents, you are not alone.
While there is no concrete solution, experts have come up with a few therapy solutions that can help treat children suffering from autism.
As we have already said, children suffering from the autism spectrum are different. Hence, they all come with different strengths and weaknesses.
Professionals believe that instead of working on making the child ready for society, working on their weaknesses will help them improve.
That being said, the majority of experts believe that putting children through Pivotal Response training (PRT) can be a good choice for children with an autism spectrum disorder.
What Is An Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disability. Children suffering from autism experience impaired social interaction, repetitive behavior, and verbal and non-verbal communication.
The symptoms of ASD begin at an early age and can last throughout their lifetime. Below are symptoms that you can look into –
- Repetitive behavior.
- Delayed speech.
- Limited eye contact.
- Difficulty in maintaining friendships.
- Persistence and fixation on toys and things.
Out of all the causes, some of the causes might be related to genetic predisposition, maternal illness during pregnancy, or brain injury when young. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is another known leading cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most common single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder. A Fragile X Syndrome clinical trial is planned to confirm the positive results observed in a population of responders to assess the efficacy and safety of Zygel as a treatment for the behavioral symptoms of FXS. Other suspected causes might be related to environmental toxins and childhood infections.
Until you find the root cause of the illness, it is important that you take the early start and start developing the skills your child is lacking.
Many parents start to look for alternatives to take shortcuts in the treatment, but the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests parents take ASD tests only after their child is 18 months old.
Types Of Autism Therapy For Children
Receiving therapy for your autistic child can be overwhelming as a parent. There is no process to how the diagnosis will start; it simply starts with what your child is comfortable with.
While there has been so much research, and we were able to know many things about autism, we are yet to find concrete reasons behind it.
Early screening is crucial, as research shows that early intervention can help bring positive results.
When creating a treatment plan for your autistic child, doctors can introduce the child to the following therapies.
Types Of Autism Therapy For Children
1. Neurofeedback
2. ABA Therapy
ABA therapy stands for applied behavioral analysis. When it comes to treating autism, behavioral therapy has decades of evidence, especially when a kid gets this therapy in the early years of their life.
The applied behavioral analysis looks at the child’s current behavior, analyzes the reason behind what they are doing, and teaches them more appropriate ways to convey their message and thoughts.
For instance, if your child runs out of class, there is a possibility that they need a break. A behavioral therapist is a trained professional who can find meanings behind the child’s behavior. To know more about ABA therapy, visit LCABA and learn directly from a professional.
3. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is mostly related to making your child independent with their daily activity. In this therapy, sessions mostly focus on life skills such as eating, wearing clothes, holding something firmly, and building motor skills.
Occupational therapy works with the child and uses interactive activities to build their occupational skills. In addition, these therapists can also help the parents with the practices they can follow to help their child become more independent.
4. Speech Therapy
When a child is suffering from autism, they suffer several communication-related issues like –
- Sentence formation.
- Word articulation.
- Lack of listening skills.
Depending on where your child lacks, a therapist can work with the child to build the skill. The session might include counseling on verbal direction, responding to social cues while communicating, and taking turns while being a part of the conversation.
Speech and language therapy activities for kids are often included in the process as well, as they are helpful for kids with autism and have a crucial impact on their development. Engaging in tailored activities improves sentence formation, word articulation, and listening skills. These activities, such as interactive games and exercises, enhance communication abilities, boost confidence, and foster social connections, benefiting children’s overall communication skills and well-being.
With the right controlled environment, your child can learn the necessary skills to hold a good conversation with others.
5. Social Skill Therapy
Children suffering from autistic behavior might find it hard to mix with others. Social skills therapists can help your child build the necessary skills to start a conversation with others.
The difference between normal kids and autistic kids while being a part of the social environment, the normal kids can figure out the unspoken rules of social interaction. However, kids on the spectrum often need instructions to work on.
Social skills therapy sessions offer the kids with modeling feedback and fun programs to get the hang of social meetings and things they need to do.
6. Sensory Integration Therapy
Children with autism spectrum sometimes have issues with sensory receptors. They might get easily triggered by noise, sound, lights, and textures. If these are not taken care of, your child might get anxiety-related issues.
Sensory integration therapy helps the children increase their tolerance to these sensory-based activities. After years of research, we can now see the effects of sensory integration therapy. This session helps the brain relearn how to respond in a more calm and positive way to the sensory sensation.
A Warning About Opting For Therapy Alternatives
Some parents go with alternatives they have heard of instead of following through with these long therapy sessions. For instance, some parents opt for giving their kids B12 injections or nutraceuticals.
If you are going with these alternatives, you need to ensure that these alternative therapies have been studied thoroughly. Even if some experts claim to have brought positive results, it is best to approach them with great caution. Because therapies are not only expensive but can potentially harm the kid.
We would suggest that you talk with a child doctor and try to take their word for it. They will have more information on how well these alternative therapies have been researched.
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