Types of Therapy for Autism: 9 Therapies To Consider
Getting an autism diagnosis can be daunting. You may have questions about the next steps and how you can set your child up for success. Therapy is a common step in a post diagnosis journey, but where to start? There are so many options from traditional to non-traditional therapies and we are here to tell you about 9 of the options you have waiting for you!
A number of therapies can help people with autism improve their abilities and reduce their symptoms. Starting therapy early improves the chances for your child’s success, but it’s never too late to begin treatment.
We suggest you start to research therapies as soon as you suspect your child has autism rather than waiting for a formal diagnosis. In Tennessee, the average wait for an evaluation is 6-12 months, with specialist follow ups and time for testing.
Below we will give you a brief description of different types of therapy along with some common objectives to weigh while planning your next steps.
Traditional Therapies
Traditional therapies are the most common go-to’s for many diagnoses, not just Autism. These therapies are more widely accessible and are more likely to be covered by insurance.
Speech Therapy: Helps children with autism improve their communication skills, including speech articulation, language comprehension, and social communication.
Common Objectives:
Articulation
Fluency/Stuttering
Swallowing/Feeding
Pragmatic/Social Language Skills
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Physical Therapy: Focuses on improving gross motor skills, coordination, balance, and strength to help children with autism navigate physical activities and environments more effectively.
Common Objectives:
Developing motor skills
Increasing strength and endurance
Supporting sensory integration
Improving joint mobility and flexibility
Enhancing coordination and balance
Occupational Therapy: Addresses sensory processing issues, fine motor skills, self-help skills, and activities of daily living to improve a child's independence and participation in daily activities.
Common Objectives:
Sensory processing
Develop fine and gross motor skills
Social and play skills
Create environmental adaptations
Self-care/life skills
ABA Therapy: Focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, and adaptive learning skills, through positive reinforcement and structured teaching methods.
Common Objectives:
Communication skills
Behavior reduction
Social skills
Self-care/life skills
Emotional regulation
Non-Traditional Therapies
Non-traditional therapies are typically more liberal arts based, many of which, including Music Therapy, are still evidence and research based. These therapies are going to be less accessible based on location and cost.
Music Therapy: Involves using music-based activities, such as singing, playing instruments, and listening to music, to address communication, sensory processing, and emotional expression in children with autism.
Common Objectives:
Facilitate sensory integration and regulation
Enhances communication skills
Develop fine and gross motor skills
Reduces stress and anxiety
Improve academic skills
Art Therapy: Allows children to express themselves through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpting, to enhance communication, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
Common Objectives:
Facilitate sensory integration
Enhance communication skills
Improve self-expression and self-esteem
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve fine motor skills
Dance Therapy: Offers children with autism a creative outlet for social interaction, self-expression, and sensory integration.
Common Objectives:
Improve body awareness
Promote social interaction
Foster self-expression and creativity
Enhance quality of life
Emotional expression
Equine Therapy: Involves interactions with horses and horse-related activities to promote emotional bonding, sensory integration, and motor coordination in children with autism.
Common Objectives:
Promote emotional regulation
Develop motor skills and balance
Enhance communication skills
Build confidence and self-esteem
Reduce anxiety and stress
Play Therapy: Is a therapeutic approach primarily used with children to help them express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process.
Common Objectives:
Cognitive development
Improvement in family dynamics
Attachment formation
Trauma resolution
Social skills/coping mechanisms
Why choose Music Therapy?
Music therapy offers a distinct and versatile approach that complements other therapies. It can be particularly effective when traditional therapy methods are insufficient, when progress stalls, and when you want an extra boost of creativity and motivation!
Our client-centered, play based approach at Musical Bridges keeps clients engaged and motivated to meet their goals in a safe and nurturing environment.
Music therapy is accessible. Music is a universal language, appreciated across all ages and cultures. It can engage individuals who might be less responsive to other forms of therapy.
Music therapy is sensory. It involves auditory, tactile, and even visual stimuli (when instruments are played), which can help in sensory integration for individuals with sensory processing disorders.
Music therapy is social. Music therapy often involves making music together. This can foster social connections and improve social skills by encouraging eye contact, turn-taking, and collaborative play.
Music therapy is emotional. Music can evoke deep emotional responses that might not be easily accessed through other means. It can help individuals express and explore their emotions in a supportive and safe environment.
Music therapy supports cognitive functions. Music has been shown to facilitate memory and recall, which is especially beneficial in therapy settings for individuals with autism who might also have cognitive delays or learning difficulties.
Music therapy is physical. Playing musical instruments or engaging in rhythmic movement can improve motor skills and coordination, addressing common physical development deficits and goal areas.
Music therapy is relaxing. The soothing properties of music significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation, beneficial for managing common co-occurring conditions like anxiety in individuals with autism.
Music therapy is culturally sensitive. A great music therapist will tailor music therapy to reflect an individual's cultural background and personal preferences. This ensures a respectful and inclusive approach that enhances the therapeutic experience.
Music therapy is holistic. At Musical Bridges, we support the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs comprehensively to provide a holistic therapy option that supports multiple aspects of well-being in individuals with autism.
Not every therapy will work for you and your child. Consult professionals and other parents to figure out the best course of action for your family. The Musical Bridges family is here to support you in your journey with autism. Let us know if you have any questions or are interested in starting Music Therapy Services here.