Treatments, Therapies, and Interventions of Autism 

Every parent wants to help their child with autism reach their fullest potential. There are several common autism support services in NJ and treatments that can offer healthy development and growth. It can be shocking for the parents to find that their child has ASD and might be upset and fearful about their future. 

However, it is important to remember that every child is special and has their strengths and weaknesses. Numerous treatments can help children will with ASD Learn new skills and overcome development challenges. These treatments don't cure ASD but improve your child's ability to play and socialize. 

All the ASD treatments are not effective for every child and it may take some time to customize the treatment as per the child’s specific requirements. You will need patience and persistence to make a difference in your child's life. Learning about the latest treatments can help you Identify which approach is the best for your child so that they have great development.

Types of autism treatments are available:

There is a wide range of therapies and treatments available that focus on reducing problematic behaviors and building social and communication skills. Numerous other therapies deal with motor skills, emotional issues, food sensitivities, and sensory integration problems. It is important to perform research and talk to experts in Autism treatment. You don't have to choose just one type of therapy but can focus on multiple therapies. The goal of the treatment is to treat your child's different symptoms. This may require a combined treatment approach with various types of therapies.

Behavior therapy: 

This is the most commonly used ASD treatment that encourages desired behaviors and reduces unwanted ones. Most behavior therapies use techniques of applied behavior analysis or ABA services in NJ.  

This technique helps the child with ASD understand the connection between behaviors and results. In this therapy desired behavior is positively reinforced. A reward follows the good behavior of the child so the child is more likely to repeat the action. 

However, if the child has an angry outburst then no reward is given. This is an evidence-based approach so is highly adaptable. It can meet the needs of every individual child and in the long term, this intensive therapy can improve the child's life skills, social skills, and intellectual abilities. 

Early Start Denver Model:

ESDM is an approach that is great for 12 to 48-month-old children and it is also based on practices of ABA.  The sessions are based on joint activities and natural play with therapists and parents. Singing is encouraged to vocalise and mimicry games are used to teach the children to identify body parts. 

It focuses on creating social interactions, cognitive skills, and enhancing communication. It is important to be involved in your child's sessions as they are flexible enough to take place at your home or in the clinic. 

In the sessions, the therapist guides you about what you need to know so that you can handle your child in a better manner. According to recent studies, ESDM improves the communication skills, adaptive behavior, and language of a child with autism.

Pivotal response treatment:  

PRT is a play-based approach that follows the practices of ABA. PRT focuses on broader areas like self-engagement, motivation, social interactions, and response to multiple cues. It helps children make wide improvements in social skills and communication. 

In these sessions, the therapist puts the child's favorite food and toy within view but out of reach. In this situation, the child speaks up and asks for the item. PRT has been used in group sessions or one or one sessions since the 1970s and it is quite effective in building communication skills in children with autism.

Discrete Trial Training:

This is an ABA-based approach that is more structured than PRT.  This therapy has been broken down into smaller pieces like when teaching children to write their names the process is broken down letter by letter. Forming each letter might be broken down into stroke-by-stroke processes. As the child moves through every step they receive positive reinforcement. It is quite effective in teaching skills to children with ASD and this does not involve too much natural play.

Speech Language Therapy:

If your child with ASD struggles with everyday communication then Speech Language therapy can help improve their verbal and nonverbal skills. To improve their verbal skills therapist may guide your child through exercises that include describing feelings, and identifying items and other people. 

Exercises like improving your child's speech, rhythm, sentences, and vocabulary are also included in the therapy. Speech Language therapists also teach nonverbal communication skills and help them learn hand signals, sign language, and communication through pictures. Another nonverbal cues are making eye contact which can be improved through the therapy.

Physical and occupational therapy:

Some children with ASD experience difficulties in controlling their physical actions, like they may have unusual gait or problems with handwriting. Physical therapy can help build your child’s motor skills and focus on their coordination, balance, posture, and muscle control. 

This can improve your child's social life and overall sense of well-being.  Occupational therapy helps in building everyday skills that are useful around the home or in school like dressing, feeding, and grooming. It is similar to physical therapy as it can also enhance motor skills.

Also Read - Tips for Parents to Handle Autism Spectrum Disorder

Conclusion:

Professional therapists can guide you through all the treatments and therapies but you have to play an important role as a parent. You can explore different treatment options for your child and take extra steps to make sure the sessions are quite effective.