Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

April is World Autism Month, which puts autism in the spotlight so others are able to learn more about it. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of challenges such as difficulty with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech issues, and even nonverbal communication, according to Autism Speaks. There is not just one type of autism but many subtypes, which are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Additionally, 2024 celebrates the sixth annual #CelebrateDifferences campaign in honor of Autism Acceptance Month. The goal of the Autism Society’s annual celebration is to create a world where everyone feels accepted, connected, and supported. This begins with one of many therapies for children with autism.

Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy

There are several different types of treatment for autism, but the most common is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, which has been used to help autistic children since the 1960s. It is based on the science of learning and behavior. The goal of ABA Therapy is to increase helpful behaviors and decrease harmful behaviors.

One of the advantages of ABA Therapy is its flexibility.It can be easily adapted to the needs of individuals, can be provided at home, school, or in the community, and can be done on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting. It teaches skills useful for daily living.

A cornerstone of this therapy is positive reinforcement. A therapist will work with the family to determine a goal behavior. Each time the child demonstrates a positive behavior, they are rewarded in a way meaningful to them. This might be verbal praise, a toy or book, watching a video, the ability to go somewhere such as a playground or park, etc.

With ABA Therapy, there should be ongoing analysis of behaviors, planning, and goal setting as well as the learning of skills needed to function in day-to-day life. This might include communication and language, social skills, self-care such as showering and toileting, motor skills, and academic skills, among others.

Play Therapy

In addition to ABA Therapy, there are many other therapies that support the growth and learning of children with autism. One of those is Play Therapy.

Children who have autism or an autism spectrum disorder play differently than other children. They tend to focus on parts of a toy rather than the whole toy. For example, they may be focused on the wheels of a car rather than the car itself. While children with autism “pretend play” like other children, they may not engage with other children.

According to WebMD, Play Therapy can improve social and emotional skills in children with autism. Play Therapy works to add to the language and communication skills of autistic children, helps them think in different ways, and expands how they play and interact with toys. Further more, it can teach them to relate to others so they can expand their social skills.

Play Therapy can be conducted as floor time. The child gets down on the floor and plays on their terms with their caregiver and/or the therapist on the child’s terms. Over time, new play and games can be added while working on improving communication.

Integrated play groups (IPGs) combine children with autism and those without autism. This allows autistic children to watch, listen, and learn from their peers as they play.

Joint attention symbolic play engagement and regulation (JASPER) is another type of play therapy where autistic children learn to better focus on a toy and a person simultaneously. JASPER can help children engage in more pretend play, speak more with others, and improve social skills. This type of therapy is often offered in preschool settings and children may participate for up to 25 hours each week. A therapist may also meet with the child frequently in a one-on-one setting.

Occupational Therapy

Another option for treating children with autism is occupational therapy. Pediatric occupational therapists work with autistic children and those with related developmental disorders.

LifeSpan.org reports the work of an occupational therapist can support learning in autistic children and lead them to achieving goals such as:

• Understanding boundaries and personal space.
• Keeping a safe body.
• Creating schedules to assist with transitions and expectations.
• Daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, or brushing teeth.
• Self-feeding and increasing food variety for picky eaters.

The goal of occupational therapy is to provide tools for the child and the family to be successful in all environments. Caregivers often report terrific outcomes with this type of therapy.

Animal Therapy

Animal therapy services support positive social behaviors in children with autism. According to the Adult AutismCenter, research on this topic is limited, but evidence demonstrates incredible positive effects for autistic persons.

Animal therapy encourages social interaction, comfort, and play. Working with animals has been shown to have a calming effect for those with autism, especially during stressful situations. Animals have helped autistic children avoid undesirable behaviors such as emotional meltdowns and outbursts.

Another great thing about animal therapy is it teaches autistic children to focus their attention effectively. “One study demonstrates children with autism looked at dogs’ faces longer than humans’ faces,” according to the Adult Autism Center. “Getting a service animal for your child… can help them focus longer and develop their focusing skills… and increase physical fitness, strength, and coordination.”

Other Therapy Options

There are several other types of therapy to support children with autism. Those include speech-language pathology, applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills therapy, and relationship development interventions. There is also art therapy and physical therapy, which are terrific options in addition to an autistic child’s diet and medication. There is also a therapy known as the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) available.

In conclusion, there are many therapies available to autistic children starting from a very early age. Each of these therapies helps autistic children achieve their fullest potential in living a happy, healthy, fulfilling life. For more information about therapies available for children with autism, visit jiguar.com or contact us at info@jiguar.com