Learning About Childcare Options

Parenting is a challenging venture. The task becomes trickier when you discover your child has autism. This condition is also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulty in communication and social skills. Environmental and genetic factors cause autism.

Note that children with autism have varied strengths and weaknesses. One child can be very skilled, while another can be challenged and need close monitoring and help.

Here are four vital autism therapies that can help your child.

Play therapy

Every child needs to play to develop. Autism therapy that seeks to understand how your child plays is vital. Kids with autism play differently. They are likely to avoid others and fancy focusing on a toy section.

This type of therapy improves their communication, emotional, and general social skills. You can try floor-time therapy, where you play with your kid and help her integrate other play aspects on her terms. Secondly, Integrated play-groups (IPGs) is another mode where you mix affected children with those who do not have autism and allow them to learn from their peers. Lastly, Joint attention symbolic play engagement and regulation (JASPER) therapy is another reliable alternative.

Speech therapy

Playing will only be fun if your child develops good communication. Speech therapy focuses on sorting all verbal and nonverbal communication capabilities.

A professional speech-language pathologist works on resolving all speech-related disabilities. Where the situation is worse, the child will need help everywhere they spend most of the time, especially at school and home. The therapist can use speech aids like typing, lip exercise, electronic talkers, and pictorial communication.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Autism Behavior Therapy is a reliable way of helping your child overcome this challenge. The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) uses rewards to encourage the development of new skills and enhance good behavior. Child caregivers need to master this technique to help the child overcome the autism challenges. You set a goal and reward accordingly towards encouraging that positive behavior.

The techniques applied are Discrete trial training (DTT), Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI), Pivotal response treatment (PRT), and Verbal behavior intervention (VBI).

Occupational therapy

Your child needs to be independent as she grows. She will need to learn basic daily activities and the use of objects. Parents and caregivers set social, behavioral, or academic goals and monitor performance to determine the type of help the child requires. This autism therapy is customized to the needs of each child.