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What is Autism: Interventions
Contrary to popular belief, there are therapies which can lead toward your child’s recovery.
Behavioral Interventions
> Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
 ABA is a type of therapy that works in a systematic way to reduce unwanted behaviors and increase or teach wanted behaviors. ABA therapist work with only observable behaviors that can be measured. For example, an ABA therapist may work on toilet training, eye contact, and reducing self-injurious behaviors such as head banging, biting, and eye poking. Usually, the child works directly with the therapist in a one-to-one situation. The child will receive rewards for desirable behavior and may be ignored for unwanted behaviors in order to work toward set goals. The primary care givers may also be taught how to work with their child to increase skills.
Note: ABA is typically conducted by a certified Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist. This type of therapy is usually not offered in the school settings in a one-to-one setting all day long, as it is costly. Parents are encouraged to seek private ABA therapy in addition to the school provided instruction.
Biomedical Interventions
Communication Interventions
> Speech Therapy
The focus of this therapy is to improve articulation (speech or how words are spoken).This could involve building tongue and lip muscles (oral-motor), vocal sounds, and swallowing.
> Language Therapy
 The focus of this type of therapy can improve both verbal and non-verbal communication. The therapist can work to increase how well a person understands what others are saying (receptive communication). For example, when you ask a child to follow a one-step command such as “give me the cup” or a two-step command “wash your hands and dry them.” The therapist can also work on teaching how to communicate so others understand your wants and needs (expressive communication). This may involve teaching a child to move from one-word responses to three-word responses such as, “milk” to “I milk” to “I want milk.” The language pathologist can also teach children to gesture for things they want or need, improve facial expressions, and eye contact.
Note: Both speech and language therapy can be done by a licensed speech and language pathologist (SLP) in the school and/or home setting. If there are communication goals on the school Individual Education Plan (IEP) the school will pay for it, but we strongly encourage you to get additional private therapy in addition that may be covered be Medicaid or private health insurance.
Motor Interventions
> Occupational Therapy (OT)
 This type of therapy may work to improve daily living skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and many other areas. Daily living skills include: dressing, feeding, bathing, toileting, etc. Fine motor skills are important small movements that we learn such as pinching or grasping things with the thumb and index finger. Fine motor also includes using scissors, holding a crayon or pencil and writing, zipping and buttoning. Gross motor skills involve larger movements such as jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing, running, and walking.
Note: Occupational therapy is preformed by an Occupational Therapist either through the schools or privately. If there are goals addressing daily living skills, gross or fine motor skills on your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed by the multi-disciplinary team, the school will most likely provide occupational therapy in the school. Depending on the needs of your child, you may consider a private OT in addition to the therapy received at the school site.
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