Amber Nordberg
Autism is a diagnosis that many children and adults are given – more often now than ever. There are many different types of therapy that are used to help with the everyday struggles that children with autism face. There is no manual on how to handle autism which is why it is necessary to use different techniques and ideas to help each individual child.
5. ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
ABA therapy is based around the idea that those diagnosed with autism are more likely to repeat behaviors that are recognized or are rewarded rather than behaviors that re ignored or that go unnoticed. The therapist will set a specific set of goals for the child to reach and will create steps and activities that help the child reach those goals. 32 of the 50 states in the U.S.passed a law requiring that ABA testing be covered by health insurance companies.
4. RDI (Relationship Development Intervention)
RDI is a fairly new type of autism therapy. RDI training teaches the child how to engage in social activities with people. The therapy starts with children developing a social relationship with their parents, and then other family members. RDI makes it to where the parents involvement is crucial in the therapies success. It helps parents learn and understand that each and every moment is a moment to learn something, or teach something. Early in therapy sessions, parents are given the role of the child’s coach. The therapist is there to help parents learn how to work with the children effectively.
3. Sensory Integration Therapy
SI therapy helps children that live with learning disabilities and often times have motor, sensory and perceptual difficulties. SIT is based around the idea that you can change the brain by changing the brains experiences. If a child has poor sensory integration it impacts their ability to learn, but you can engage that child in sensory situations that will help with their sensory integration. The child is evaluated to see whether they are hypo(under) or hyper(over) sensitive. They also see what stimuli the child is sensitive to noise, touch, sight, taste or smell.
2. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is focused on helping the child participate in activities that are needed daily like feeding, dressing and bathing. It also helps with daily activities like education, work, safety procedures, play and social interaction. It is essential that the child work alongside the parent, family, caregiver or teacher to help understand the daily life of the child and how they interact. Occupational therapy is set out to help a child or adult with autism adjust tasks and activities so correspond with their needs and abilities. It is the most widely used therapy for helping those with autism.
1. Early Start Denver Model
The ESDM is a type of autism therapy that is targeted for a younger age group, around 12-48 months. This is a play-based intervention that joins behavioral and developmental principles together. ESDM is aimed to reduce the symptoms of autism and target all the developmental areas. It focuses on learning and social-cognitive development to learn new things like different communication skills, imitation, sharing with others and playing.
