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.

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 uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input, improve neurological function and sensory processing,

Joint attention symbolic play engagement and regulation (JASPER) JASPER can help your child better focus on a toy and a person at the same time. The JASPER program can help your child engage in more pretend play, broaden the way they play with toys, speak more with others, and improve other social skills.

Music Therapy Music therapy interventions can address a variety of health and educational goals: manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, and improve communication.

Nutritional Therapy Nutritional Therapy involves looking at the diet, using supplements, and testing for allergies, deficiencies, and toxins. There are many different diets that focus on eliminating foods that might aggravate or upset the gut. Examples include the gluten-free/ dairy-free diet, Feingold Diet, and specific carbohydrate diet. Chelation therapy is a medical procedure that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body.

Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy can help with daily living skills such as toilet training, dressing, and brushing teeth. It can also increase fine motor skills and gross motor skills, increase awareness of the body and its relation to others, help with play, self-help, problem-solving, communication, and social skills.

Phototherapy (also called “light therapy”) Phototherapy is a noninvasive therapy that involves exposure to an artificial lightbox. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. Phototherapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep.

Physical Therapy Physical therapy includes activities and exercises that build motor skills and improve strength, posture, and balance. This type of therapy aims to help a child build muscle control and strength so that he or she can play more easily with other children.

Recreational therapy The purpose of recreational therapy is to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual functioning in order to facilitate full participation in life. Techniques include arts and crafts, interaction with animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings. Recreational therapy also seeks to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence and socialize effectively.

Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) RDI focuses on building social and emotional skills. Parents are trained as the primary therapist in most RDI programs. RDI helps people form personal relationships by strengthening the building blocks of social connections. This includes the ability to form an emotional bond and share experiences with others.

Sensory integration therapy This therapy can help improve responses to sensory input that may be restrictive or overwhelming. Therapy sessions are play-oriented and may include using equipment such as swings, trampolines, and slides. Sensory integration also uses techniques such as deep pressure, brushing, weighted vests, and swinging. This can help reduce anxiety, increase a child’s threshold for tolerating sensory-rich environments, make transitions less disturbing, and reinforce positive behaviors.

Speech and Language Therapy Speech and language therapy helps to improve the person’s understanding and use of speech and language. It can involve nonverbal skills, like making eye contact, taking turns in a conversation, and using and understanding gestures. Therapists teach kids to express themselves using words, picture symbols, sign language, or augmentative devices. Speech articulation can be improved by massaging or exercising lips or facial muscles.