Depending on their needs, children who have autism can receive a broad range of therapies. Typically, they include a combination of behavior therapy, speech- language therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training and sometimes feeding therapy. In addition, parents may receive training on how to work with their children at home. Ideally, parents, teachers and physical therapists will all work together to integrate their approaches across the child’s daily life. Behavioral therapies are the foundation of treatment for most children on the autism spectrum. Autism Speaks encourages parents and adults to pursue treatments that are evidence based and to seek early intervention (www.autismspeaks.org). For more information, contact us at Fredericksburg & Woodbridge, VA centers. Augmentative & Alternative Communication. What is AAC? AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It includes all forms of communication that is not verbal speech, including gestures, facial expressions, signs, pictures, and symbols. AAC devices includes a variety of systems such as: • no/low-tech (i.e. signing, simple communication boards) • mid-tech (i.e. single message switches) • high-tech systems (i.e. speech generating devices with dynamic displays). • AAC devices can significantly increase an individual’s ability to communicate their wants and needs, social interaction, and improved feelings of self-worth. Occupational therapists work with children with autism and their families to provide intervention that improves the child’s ability to participate in activities of daily living, play and school. In occupational therapy, the focus is on task analysis, breaking down a task into manageable steps for the child, teaching those steps to the key people in the child’s environment and structuring task and/or environment to support successful completion. For example, if a child with autism is having difficulty dressing himself, the occupational therapist could use a backward chaining behavioral approach which teaches skills by breaking the tasks down into manageable steps which are always performed in the exact same order. Occupational therapists work as collaborative consultants, providing strategies for intervention to families, teachers, in order to develop a child’s skills within their natural environments. Occupational therapists also work to improve child’s feeding skills for children who have oral sensitivity, ABA THERAPY AND AUTISM
Who would benefit from AAC? • Individuals with severe communication disorder
• Individuals without consistent means of communication across settings, communication partners, or communicative functions (i.e. requesting, commenting, directing activities) •AACassists individualswithsignificantbehaviors,as itcanhelp reduce frequency and severity of challenging behavior.
diminished oral motor muscle tone and motor control to improve the child’s intake for a variety of foods. Occupational therapy can also address the increased sensory stimulation that will accompany a return to the classroom. To learn more about how we can help your child return to school, call our office today! As per MADSEC Report, treatment approaches grounded in ABA are now considered to be at the forefront of therapeutic and educational interventions for children with autism. The large amount of scientific evidence supporting ABA treatments for children with autism have led to a number of other independent bodies to endorse the effectiveness of ABA, including the U.S. Surgeon General, the New York State Department of Health, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Global Behavior Therapy Associates (now know as Behavior Innovations) provides aba therapy services to children with autism in Northern Virginia (www.abatherapy.me). Do you know a child who needs therapy? Pass this on to a friend! Does Your Child Need Help with New Patients! Schedule a FREE Screening for Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy Today!
speech, language, balance, feeding, physical therapy, walking, running, jumping, playing with others, or just being a kid?
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FREDERICKSBURG (540) 841-4443
WOODBRIDGE (540) 841-4443
Sensational Kidz Therapy can further assess your child’s needs. Contact us today! kidztherapy.org
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