top of page

5 Therapies Children with Autism Will Need

When your child is diagnosed with autism, it’s a whirlwind. Initially, you go through this panic phase of “this is new,” “How can I do this,” then you go through the what-ifs phase where you question everything you and your child do, and finally, you grieve. You grieve for everything you wanted, thought, and planned for, and if parents say they don’t go through that, then I am pretty sure they are lying. Hearing a diagnosis of any disability is life-changing. I experienced this, and most of the time, I felt completely lost. 


Don’t Lose Sight of the Positives

I remember hearing the diagnosis for my first son and being extremely quiet on the way home. I needed to process but my mind went to the to-do list I needed to complete. Here is where my mind went:

  • The brain is such a mystery

  • How much money will this cost us?

  • How are we going to fit in all these services?

  • What will kids think of him?

  • What will parents think of this situation?

  • How will everyone respond to the news? 

  • What challenges will he face? 

  • Will he ever talk? 

  • I need to call so many people and make sure our insurance covers it all!


My mind raced everywhere. I remember feeling ill and ended up reaching my lowest weight of 113lbs because all I did was worry and worry led to issues. I battled with what I was doing wrong versus what I was doing right to help my child. Does this sound like you? If so, continue reading.


Take Services and To-Do Lists One Step at a Time 


occupational therapy/physical therapy/speech therapy


After you get a diagnosis, you should get a checklist of items to complete that coincide with the doctor's recommendations. First and foremost, doctors want your child to have therapies and services to promote gross motor and fine motor skills, speech, and behavioral therapies. There isn’t a most important versus least important but the amount of time and duration of therapies will be determined based on your child’s needs. 


For example, my oldest son was diagnosed with tier-two, nonverbal autism. He receives 90 minutes of speech and occupational therapy a week and 30 minutes of physical therapy. The doctor also requested ABA therapy (applied behavioral) however that is not as accessible in my area but I have heard amazing things about it. 


On the other hand, my other son was diagnosed with tier one, limited speaking autism and ADHD and he receives 60 minutes of speech and 90 minutes of occupational therapy. Again, ABA was requested for him and was actually really pushed but we again do not have that in our area. Outpatient facilities out of town do not accommodate working parents either. 


The doctor will most of the time also recommend social workers to provide assistance with the to-dos and provide a list of providers and places for the children and their parents to receive financial assistance, mental health care, and different resources. 

Okay, great! Where do I begin though?


Starting the therapies that have been proven most effective

  1. Birth to 3 or an IEP. If you haven’t already, you will want to get your child signed up for the Birth to 3 program. They provide a lot of the therapies listed below for free. If your child is past three, you will want to ask the school system about an IEP. Education does work differently than the medical field so there are many ins and outs of that that you will want to inquire about. 

  2. ABA Therapy. This type of therapy is all behavioral. There are outpatient facilities and in-home type care where someone comes to your house and hangs out during certain hours. They help with correcting negative behaviors, potty training, manners, routines, etc. There is some controversy around the type of ABA therapy, so I would do your research on the facility or provider that you have been recommended and go from there. It’s okay if one service provider doesn’t mesh well with your kid you can change. You have a choice especially when it comes to your child. 

  3. Occupational Therapy. This type of therapy is all about fine motor skills and daily activities of living such as eating, writing, dressing, etc. This is a pretty important therapy in my opinion because a lot of everyday tasks that neurotypical people take for granted are especially difficult for the neurodivergent. Due to the amount of sensory input my sons receive, OTs also work on texture-related items and accommodating those issues. We receive OT through school and outpatient which is great. School should be free, but outpatient will be a copay. 

  4. Speech therapy. Speech therapy helps with speech-related tasks as well as eating. Speech can provide different ways to communicate that are not verbal either such as an AAC device, visuals, and sign language. We have seen a lot of talk about the letter board as well. I find speech therapy really interesting and I love being a part of their sessions. 

  5. Physical Therapy. Gross motor can include walking, jumping, running, climbing stairs, skipping, galloping, etc and our children need to work on their core to stabilize. Many children with disabilities have low tone and a weak core, so it’s very important to build strength to help with the daily activities that we take for granted. 


What Happens After Therapies Are in Place? 


Therapies/physical therapy/occupational therapy


  • You attend sessions and wait for growth. Honestly, this is the hardest part because growth may not come quickly and it may take years. Trust the process.

  • You adjust when you need to.

  • Getting financial assistance. According to Google, here are some places that may offer financial aid for families with autistic children:

    • United Healthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF)

      Offers grants to help families with autism-related services and equipment 

    • Autism Society

      A nonprofit that offers financial assistance programs to help alleviate the financial strain on families 

    • Autism Cares

      Offers funding to families who are coping with a major crisis and meet eligibility criteria 

    • The Autism Grant

      A tuition scholarship for financially disadvantaged children with autism spectrum disorder 

    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

      A monthly government payment that may be available to individuals with autism 

    • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

      A program that can provide additional financial assistance to families caring for a child with autism 

    • Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers

      A program that provides for people with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder 

    • Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

      Offers a general overview of federal programs that may be able to assist people with disabilities and others with low and limited income 

    Other helpful resources for families with autistic children include: 

    • Organization of Autism Research (OAR)

    • Parents' Place of Maryland

    • Pathfinders for Autism

    • Sesame Street and Autism

    • U.C. Davis M.I.N.D. Institute

    • Wright's Law for special education law and advocacy

  • Invest in a community. It helps to have someone to talk to such as a community of people who are going through something similar. There are online communities with Facebook groups, Instagram lives, and more or you could reach out to your local family advocates for meet-ups.

  • Invest in yourself. You have to take care of yourself if you want to take care of your child. Ask for help, take a rest day, and invest in yourself so others can invest in you.


Final Thoughts on Therapies

Make sure that your child is happy. They may be uncomfortable from time to time and they need to be, but make sure they are happy. One therapist does not fit all and that's okay! This is a two-way street and everyone needs to be willing, accepting, and adapting.


If you have any questions always reach out!


5 therapies children with autism will need



Comments


Drop Me a Line, Let Me Know What You Think

Thanks for submitting!

© 2035 by Train of Thoughts. Powered and secured by Wix

bottom of page