As a professional, you know that autism is treatable. But for parents first learning about their child's diagnosis, the prospects for treatment seem insurmountable, and the flood of autism awareness information is daunting. Providing good therapy solutions gives the child with early signs of autism a better chance of getting into a mainstream school and essentially being indistinguishable from their peers.
For optimum improvement, use educational/behavorial approaches with autistic children along with biomedical interventions. Of these approaches, Applied Behavior Analysis (ADA) tends to be the most effective. An ADA program is based on a structured schedule of teaching and repeating skills in an easily understood process. To ensure effectiveness, family members and friends should play an active part in implementing this therapy at home. When you're advising parents about ABA options, you may want to consider these things:
1. Some types of auditory interventions are thought to improve auditory processing.
2. Vision training or Irlen lenses may help children with autism disorder.
3. Computer software programs can teach speech, language and communication skills to children with signs of autism.
Consider auditory interventions in treating children with Autism
Autism research shows that auditory interventions decrease or eliminate sound sensitivity. This type of therapy may reduce behavioral problems in children with autism symptoms.
Find vision training providers for parents of children with Autism
Many children with Autism have trouble visually distinguishing their environment, or perceiving themselves in relation to that environment. These difficulties may contribute to problems such as a short attention span, depth perception or eye/hand coordination.
Recommend computer software programs as useful tools for parents of autistic children
Some software programs are designed specifically for children with developmental disabilities. Parents and families may find these supplements beneficial in teaching speech, language and communication.
- Qualified consultants often hold workshops for parents so that they can learn ABA techniques themselves.
- Encourage parents to find a support group as a source of information and for answers to their Autism questions.
