A child with autism can require thousands of dollars in extra care, and this amount can be a big burden for some families. This is one of the reasons that states and territories offer state-funded ABA therapy programs to help children with ASD get access to the care they need.
ABA is an evidence-based treatment that has been used since the 1960s to change behavior, improve communication and social skills, and raise IQ in kids with autism. However, some people with autism say that the therapy causes emotional harm by forcing them to perform pointless or uncomfortable tasks that make them appear less autistic.
Some therapies focus on specific behaviors that need to be addressed, like stimming or eating disorders. Others try to address social issues or develop self-advocacy skills.
Stimming is a behavior that can be helpful for someone with ASD, but it can also be a sign that the person is struggling. It can be difficult to treat stimming and other self-stimulatory behaviors, but finding ways to reduce them or replace them with positive behaviors is important for the client’s overall well-being.
It’s also important to keep in mind that teen and young adult clients with ASD often need more support than younger kids. Therefore, a therapist working with teens and young adults should make sure to incorporate their parents and other adolescent caregivers into the goal-setting process.
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people with autism improve their abilities to do things that are normal, such as buttoning a shirt or holding a fork. It can also be used to teach people with autism how to do things that are difficult, such as using public transportation or putting away laundry.
An occupational therapist will assess a person’s strengths and weaknesses to create an individualized plan that meets their needs. The therapist will help the person learn new skills, practice them, and work to overcome any barriers to progress.
In addition to OT, there are other therapies that can be used to treat autism. These include integrated play groups (IPGs), which combine children with and without ASD so that they can have fun playing together. They can meet for up to 3 hours a week, and they have shown some positive effects on the children who have participated in them.
Floortime is another form of autism therapy near me that involves a therapist sitting on the floor with a child and doing activities together. It’s a type of play therapy that can be done in a group or at home. Studies show that Floortime can be effective at improving social interaction, language, and focusing skills for kids with autism.
Individual and family therapists who specialize in autism can provide a range of services for families. These can include teaching the parents and other caregivers how to best support their child’s autism, helping the children develop self-help skills and coping mechanisms, and offering advice on how to deal with certain behaviors or emotions.