Many professionals feel that early intervention is key in treating autism, and that behavior modification techniques are crucial in a child’s early years. There are several types of behavior modification techniques, including:
- Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
- Verbal Behavior (VB)
- Floortime
- TEACCH
- Son-Rise
- Relationship Development Intervention
- SCERTS
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health service that is concerned with an individual’s ability to participate in desired daily life tasks, or “occupations,” which give one’s life meaning. If a person’s ability to perform these tasks which include caring for one’s self or others, working, going to school, playing, and living independently is impacted by an illness, disease, and/or disability, OT can be important. OT is often paired with Sensory Integration.
HINT: Have your child evaluated by an occupational therapist that is both trained in sensory integration therapy and is certified to perform diagnostic testing such as the SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test). Also consider having your child evaluated by the school occupational therapist and request sensory integration support in his/her IEP.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
An individual with autism spectrum disorders may benefit from Physical Therapy if they have any of the following indicators: muscle stiffness or tightness; Delay in obtaining motor skills milestones; Poor balance and coordination; Difficulty in moving through the environment; Postural abnormalities; Muscle Weakness; Pain.
SPEECH THERAPY:
Speech therapy services focus on enhancing or restoring limited or lost communicative skills or oral motor skills like swallowing. Since autism often affects speech and communication, many will need Speech Therapy to help facilitate language. Some individuals may do well with a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and others may do well with augmentative communication devices.
VISION THERAPY
Vision therapy is based on the fact that vision is learned. The ability to see and correctly interpret what is seen does not appear automatically at birth. It develops over a lifetime and is shaped by the experiences a person has.
MUSIC THERAPY
Music Therapy is the use of music and its elements (such as; sound, rhythm, melody and harmony) by a qualified music therapist. It can be used with an individual or in a group setting.
CANINE COMPANIONS
Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Options include:
SEARCHING FOR LOCAL THERAPISTS
FINDING APPS FOR iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone
If you’re searching for apps for your child, you may find it helpful to first download Autism Apps from the iTunes Store. Autism Apps is a comprehensive list of apps being used by people with Autism and other special needs. The apps are separated into over 30 categories, are easily searchable, and include reviews by users.
Also visit http://autismpluggedin.com for a listing of apps and reviews.
FUNDING FOR iPads AND OTHER AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Click here for a great article from Holly Bortfeld.
Visit this link at AutismPluggedIn.com.