Having a child with autism is both beautiful and challenging because their needs—and how to meet those needs—aren’t always the most obvious. Children with autism spectrum disorder may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from what you’re used to.
As a parent or loved one of a child with ASD, you’ll need to figure out what works best through trial and error. You may need to considerably change the way you’re used to doing things in order to accommodate. To better understand their specific requirements and help them in the outside world, you may want to consider some form of treatment. If you’re not sure where to start when searching for autism treatment, here are a few suggestions that you may find helpful.
Therapy
If your child has been facing behavioral challenges, therapy might be a huge help for your little one. Early intervention can be very important in treating your child. If he or she is exhibiting repetitive behaviors or having difficulty with language skills or social skills, make sure you speak to a doctor. In addition to other treatment plans made by your doctor, therapy has been known to improve kid’s behavior. In order to minimize ASD symptoms, you’ll need therapists that specialize in working with kids with autism. For some of the best autism spectrum disorder treatment, the Ross Center—which has locations in Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and New York City—can help. Their psychologists work closely with parents and schools to address concerns. These expert professionals will be able to refer your child to highly regarded programs that offer Applied Behavior Analysis, or social skill treatment if necessary. Your child will be receiving the best treatment imaginable at the Ross Center.
Medicinal Solutions
In conjunction with therapy, medication can be a game-changer in helping to relieve some of the symptoms of ASD. By talking to your doctor, you can come up with a medication plan that’s best for your child. Some of the medications you might encounter are risperidone, aripiprazole, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Risperidone and aripiprazole are two medications often prescribed by doctors to help irritability, which is often a symptom associated with autism. It may reduce tantrums, therefore increasing your child’s social capabilities. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also have the potential to make social interaction easier for people with autism. It’s important to understand that not all medications will work for every child, but if your doctor thinks it’s worth trying, you may want to at least consider it. Also, remember that there’s still a lot that’s unknown about autism, and other medications may be available in the future.
Make Your Home a Sanctuary
Children with autism perceive the world in a vastly different way from what you’re used to. Sensory sensitivity is very common amongst those with ASD. That being said, you may actually be able to alleviate some of the stress your child experiences by creating a sensory room. Sensory rooms don’t have to be extravagant or expensive, but they should meet your child’s specific needs. Before investing in changes to your home, make sure you use an occupational therapist to assess your child’s sensory preferences. They can help you make a safe space that is enjoyable for your child. Household changes you may not have considered can also be useful depending on your child. For example, avoiding bold patterns and simply getting appliances that are quieter could make a huge difference in the comfortably of your child.
Your child is unique and wonderful in his or her own way. Finding the best therapies that are effective and have long-lasting effects is important to do. Routine works very well for children with autism, so incorporating therapy into a standard routine can have positive consequences.