By Angela Arlington
AUTISM AVENUES: TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS Welcome to autism, a journey unlike that of many other diagnoses. When looking at different therapies or methodologies for your child, do your own research–read all you can and observe any environment your child is in and how they react. You know your child best and want them to be as independent as possible, and that may look different for each one. There is no one-shoe-fits-all with autism. There is no right or wrong way to help your child–it is a process that can change along the way. Some treatment options may be covered by medical insurance and this is not a complete list of the therapies available. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) There are several types of ABA therapy. Common ones include: Discrete trial training (DTT). Lessons are broken down into their simplest parts and desired answers and behaviors are rewarded. Undesired answers and behaviors are ignored. Pivotal response treatment (PRT). The goal of PRT is to improve a few “pivotal skills” that will help the child learn many other skills. One example of a pivotal skill is to initiate communication with others. Verbal behavior intervention (VBI). Used mostly in children with little or no speech ability. Improving a child’s language and speaking skills is the goal. Early intensive behavioral intervention or treatment (EIBI or EIBT). Designed for children under 5, EIBI/EIBT provides 20-40 hours per week of highly individualized instruction, either at home or in the classroom, and incorporates DTT, or methods like incidental training. The child learns social, adaptive, communication, and functional skills, usually over a period of 2-3 years.
24 Special Needs Living • April 2022
Art Therapy Arty therapy involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting to help people express themselves artistically and examine the psychological and emotional undertones in their art. Art therapy helps explore emotions, improve self-esteem, manage addictions, relieve stress, improve symptoms of anxiety or depression and cope with a physical illness or disability. Aquatic Therapy Helps to improve oral-motor skills, respiratory control, body awareness, and motor planning. Can improve touch tolerance, and increase the ability to organize all of the various sensory inputs to focus on the correct one. Brain Balance The Brain Balance program integrates key elements necessary to drive development and brain connectivity, including sensory engagement, core muscle strength and coordination, eye tracking, auditory processing, academic exercises, and nutritional guidance. The focus is on strengthening weaker areas of the brain with in-center sessions, at-home activities, and nutrition programs. Brain Mapping A non-invasive procedure that painlessly and safely measures brain activity and function. Brain mapping can identify irregular brain wave patterns, reveal areas of the brain that are not optimally communicating with other regions, aid in diagnosing psychiatric and cognitive conditions, identify brain injuries, indicate level
of stress, and help predict responses to medication. Brain mapping yields critical information needed to design a customized biofeedback program tailored to an individual’s needs.
The Electronic Auditory Stimulation effect (EASe) Listening Therapy EASe Listening Therapy was developed for children on the spectrum and those with other sensory processing disorders. Many of these children find noise to be highly stressful, resulting in behavior problems and even learning difficulties. EASe therapy is a practical application of the “fight or flight” response. Short duration, high-intensity noise is used to stimulate the auditory system. After enough listening sessions, patients are better able to cope with the noise around them. Floortime (also known as DIR Floortime) Beginning by focusing on self-regulation, this therapy aims to increase emotional functioning and social interaction. It uses the power of relationships and human connections to promote engagement, communication, positive behaviors, and thinking. Parents engage at the child’s level and interest. Forebrain Therapy Using a headset with an electronic filter this therapy can help with short-term and verbal memory, concentration and focus, speech pronunciation and fluency, and reading and writing skills. Hippo-therapy A form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy in which a therapist
