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Autism Archives – Foundations Counseling

October 29, 2018
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Kids With Autism

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Finding the right treatment for your child with autism can be a difficult task. There are many treatments that can be used to treat children with autism; you should determine what therapy best fits your child’s needs. However, there is one therapy that is said to be able to treat different types of disorders. This therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and it has been proven to help treat many disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and is also proven to be effective for those with autism.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment that helps improve a person’s functionality and quality of life. CBT helps children with autism become aware of negative behaviors, and helps them respond to these in a more positive way. Therapists have found this treatment effective for all ages and for different disorders. However, for children with autism, they have developed a different approach because CBT requires a strong thinking ability.

The approach is to use CBT but in a repetitive way in order for the child to fully understand what the therapist is teaching. Visual aid is also introduced to help the child gain a perspective view on what the topic is about. Instead of simply approaching the child verbally, the therapist may use different strategies such us showing the child what interests them to gain their attention. The main advantage of this treatment is that children with autism can learn that they are not the only ones struggling with the disorder. Through a bond of friendship with others, they will be able to help each other overcome it.

What to expect in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

The first session is focused on assessing the child with autism. This includes finding out what he or she is having difficulty with and what type of approach will get the child’s attention. Based on the therapist’s assessment, he or she will then create goals that will be helpful in treating the child with autism.

Subsequent sessions will focus on achieving those goals. The CBT approach often allows the child to practice their problem-solving skills, breaching the communication gaps, and simply conversing with the child once they have established a bond.

The final sessions will often begin once the child continues to achieve the goals set by the therapist. The number of sessions will gradually decrease until the child can be confident of learning on his or her own. A successful treatment will help your child rely on themselves and allow them to make decisions while showing less undesirable behavior.

October 26, 2018
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Types Of Behavioral Therapy For Kids With Autism

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Autism is a disorder that affects the social behavior and communication development of a person. Children will often show signs of autism by the age of three. Early intervention and getting aid from a professional therapist can help your child adapt to their environment with ease. The most effective treatments for children with autism are behavioral therapies. There are many different behavioral therapies and each has its own strengths when helping children with autism.

Types Of Behavioral Therapy

1. Applied Behavioral Analysis

Applied behavioral analysis or ABA is a commonly used therapy in most children with autism. The therapy is used to help the child reach positive goals set by the therapist, and also help the child distinguish negative behavioral traits. A therapist will work with the child in one-on-one sessions. The therapist will then observe the child and try to create goals for the child to accomplish. The child will then be rewarded for every desirable behavior that the child does while ignoring the undesirable ones.

2. Sensory Integration or Occupational Therapy

This therapy focuses on the child’s sensitivities or what the child may find overwhelming. In most children with autism, there are different factors that may overwhelm them and cause them to have tantrums. Therapists will try to address these factors which are loud noises, bright lights, and other things that may be overwhelming for the child. Though the child will be exposed to things that overwhelm them, they won’t be forced to their limits. Successful therapies often have good results where the child may be able to adapt, control their movements and emotions.

3. Relationship Development Intervention

This therapy focuses on the social behaviors of children with autism. Parents are also involved in this therapy, as they will need to attend intensive workshops to help them carry out the therapy. The therapist will only be there to assess the situation or create goals for the parents and analyze the results. Parents will be tasked to record videos of them at home and how they are interacting with their child. Depending on the results, the therapist will give advice or strategies to help the parent and the child.

4. Communication Intervention

This therapy focuses on what children with autism lack the most, communication. Children with autism who don’t have proper communication skills will often show a lot of undesirable behavior out of their frustration and misunderstandings about situations. Therapists will help by teaching communication skills using devices that may help the child express their needs. This will work with the child and may show improvement in their social interaction skills.

Treatments For Your Child With Autism

There are many other behavioral treatments you can ask for your child. All treatments are effective in different children and finding the right treatment for your child can be time-consuming. However, once you’ve found the proper treatment that has good results, your child will have a more positive lifestyle. When choosing a therapist for the treatment, you should always make sure that you are comfortable with them. If you are comfortable allowing them to work with your child, then your child may also feel the same way.

October 22, 2018
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Effective Therapies For Kids With Autism

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Kids will most likely show signs of autism by the time they reach the age of three or four. The symptoms will vary from mild to severe depending on the child. Most children with this disorder will have difficulty interacting with others and may have problems using non-verbal communication such as making eye contact and using facial expressions. In children with autism who are able to speak, they may have a high pitch tone, unbalanced speed, and rhythm. When you see your child having these symptoms, you should help them get the proper aid they need as soon as possible. There are many counselors or therapists who provide quality therapy for kids with autism. Here are some of the most effective therapies.

The Best Therapies To Treat Kids With Autism

1. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists study human growth patterns and development. This is through learning the basic skills needed for a person to interact with their environment through their daily activities. Therapists will first observe how the child with autism does tasks for their age. They will ask parents to record their child for a day to see how he or she interacts in their current environment. Once the therapists have gathered all the necessary information they need, they will then create a program for your child.

2. Applied Behavioral Analysis

There are many types of behavioral therapy and the best one that works well for kids with autism is applied behavioral analysis (ABA). This therapy is focused on helping children achieve their goals and be able to distinguish right from wrong. A therapist will work with a child with autism for more than 40 hours a week in a one-on-one setting. The therapist will first observe the child and then plan goals. The therapist will then reward the child for each goal he or she achieves while ignoring negative actions. This will, in turn, help the child gain skills that will help them cope with their environment at home and in school.

3. Play therapy

Play therapy is used for children suffering from trauma, anxiety, and mental illness. This is because playing allows a child to release their feelings and develop a healthy behavior. However, the methods used to treat these illnesses are not the same methods used for children with autism. A good play therapist will sit on the floor with your child and set toys that your child finds interesting. The therapist will then choose another toy that is similar to the chosen toy, and try to block how the child is playing with his or her chosen toy. If the child responds, then there is a relationship that has begun. Over time, the therapist will help the child develop skills such as taking turns, building their imaginative skills, and other thinking skills to help the child cope with groups or other children.

Why early treatment is better for you child

Many parents that have detected autism in their child tend to neglect the fact that they should treat the disorder early. Parents think that they should just allow their kids to run around and play. However, most kids with autism lack the skills to play appropriately, and they often just perform repetitive acts that don’t seem to have an effect on them.

This is one of the reasons why parents should seek the aid of a therapist. Allowing a professional therapist to intervene with their acts and help correct them can stop problematic behavior patterns that can develop as the child ages. It’s also beneficial for the child to receive treatment early because it helps them adapt to groups or develop their social interaction skills effectively. This also helps prepare your child for school, allowing them to be more comfortable in making friends or simply interacting with different people.

October 5, 2018
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Benefits Of Sandplay Therapy

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Sandplay therapy is a nonverbal therapeutic intervention that can be used for children, including children diagnosed with autism. Instead of trying to talk to the child, the therapist will make use of a sandbox where the child can find toys to create something that the child wants. This is a great way for the therapist to see the child’s inner thoughts or feelings. This can be another form of talk therapy while utilizing the sandbox figures as alternate communication tools.

The Benefits of Sandplay Therapy for Kids with Autism

Sandplay therapy allows the child with autism to express their feelings. It can give the therapist an idea of a trauma that the child may have or what kind of things the child finds interesting. It allows the child to show the therapist their creative side and what makes them happy. Introducing different items to the child can be a way of introducing different characters to the child’s setting. This will in turn have a significant effect when it comes to the child’s social skills.

When a child’s hands and mind wander to their happy place, they are often prone to communication. This gives the therapist an opening to interact with the child while he or she is playing. Establishing communication is always the first objective a therapist is looking for in sandplay therapy. It allows the therapist to know if the child is responding and making progress.

Sandplay therapy uses little to no words which makes it easier for the child to have his or her own personal space. This allows the child to create what bothers him or her most and make use of the sand tray as their boundaries. The therapist will be there to evaluate everything the child is building and thinking of new things to introduce to the child in order to improve their feeling toward their imagination.

Choosing a Sandplay Therapist

Some play therapists have taken additional trainings in sandplay therapy. Look for licensed therapists that have experience in sandplay therapy if you think that this therapy will benefit your child. In addition, you should also look for a therapist that has the appropriate tools and education background about the benefits and key elements of this therapy.

Doing your own research on qualified therapists in your area is another great way to find a therapist. Nowadays, therapists have their own website and usually have testimonials from previous clients on their work. Use this information to get an idea on how well the therapist might interact with your child. When finally choosing your therapist, you should make sure that you are comfortable leaving your child in their care.

October 1, 2018
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Importance Of Early Intervention For Better Autism Therapy

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Autism is not a rare disorder, and it affects many people all over the world. There is no known cause or cure for the disorder; however, there are studies that prove that early intervention can make a difference to a child’s development. Early intervention for children with autism can give the child with autism higher intelligence, improved social skills, and allows the child to become independent in the future.

Why Is Early Intervention Important?

Autism can be found in a child at the age of two to three years old. From the perspective of neuroscience, early intervention gives a better opportunity for the child’s developing brain to change. It also helps the child stop behavioral tantrums that may often occur when the child is disturbed by something or someone. The habit of having tantrums can be avoided through early intervention, but as you continue to delay their treatment, they may be difficult to change their habits that may be found in children with autism.

Children at an early age often learn new things much quicker by observing and imitating others. It’s natural for a child to imitate other’s actions in order to engage with them in healthy play. However, children with autism tend to be more focused on objects and activities that will only interest them. They will not likely imitate others and interact because of the lack of interest.

Placing a child with autism in a group of kids to play will not help the child with autism. For children with autism, playing needs to be broken down in order for them to fully comprehend what it means to play. Social skills are also a factor, as most children with autism tend to be shy about interacting with strangers.

What To Expect When Sending Your Child To Therapy

Children with autism learn best through small repeated steps and consistently practicing on those steps every session. For example, if a therapist teaches your child how to share their toy, it may take around four to five sessions depending on the child’s progress. Even complex skills such as conversing and interacting with someone may need to have more steps to allow the child to learn the skill.

Don’t expect too much on each session; let your child take it slow. Your child’s interest should always be taken into account and getting that can be a difficult task even for an experienced therapist. Picking the right program should be discussed by you and the therapist. Giving the therapist as much detail on what interests your child can have a better chance of choosing a the right therapy for your child. Progress will always be present so long as the child is introduced to the therapy as early as possible.

September 10, 2018
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Helpful Activities For Kids With Autism

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Having a child with autism can be difficult and you as their parent should always be there to help them. It’s true that getting help from professional therapists can help treat your child better and get them to be sociable by the time they reach school age. However, you shouldn’t solely rely on the sessions for your kid to grow. You can also have an input in the development of your child and have an autism therapy at home. This not only allows you to interact with your child, it also strengthens your relationship bond which is really what your child needs.

Activities That Helps Build Your Relationship Bonds With Your Child

1.  Activities you can do with your 1 to 4 years old child

Singing songs is often one of the best activities children love to do. The main chorus of songs is often what attracts children with autism to listen. You can also use music to get them through their tantrums or use songs to dress or feed themselves. You can also use their favorite song to reward them for something they have achieved or if they no longer do activities that are less desirable.

Blowing bubbles is another activity that you can use to help your child’s sensory skill. Pointing at the bubbles and making your reactions when a bubble pops can get your child’s attention. As you continue to do this activity, you will eventually develop joint attention with your child; this is important and difficult to achieve in children with autism.

2. When your child reaches preschool and kindergarten

Many children with autism find it difficult to interact socially with other children. There are a lot of factors that can distract them as their senses are slower than other children. The change in their environment can also be a factor that can be challenging for your child. During this time, the best activity you should give your child is to get them into advanced behavioral analysis with professional therapists.

You can also help your child by introducing him or her to your friend’s children. However, you should not let them play alone; you must still be play with them since you will be your child’s guide. A fun game of tag or cops and robbers is a perfect game for your child to experience interacting with other children. You can even ask the other children to play charades and simply allow them to mimic animals. This gives your child a great view of how other children will not be as bad when he or she is in school.

Sandplay Therapy By Professional Therapists

Although playing with your child is good treatment, it still is better to have an expert therapist help out. Sandplay therapy is usually nonverbal and makes use of a sandbox. Toys are placed in the box and the therapist allows the child to build something with those toys. In most cases, the child will build something that represents the child’s inner thoughts or feelings. This can also be used with talk therapy and instead of verbally talking, the toys are used as the communication tools.

Once a sandplay therapist sees the world the child has built, the therapist will then try to understand how the child sees our world today. This will guide the therapist on what the child is going through and may be able to give solutions or suggestions to the child by showing the similarities between their world and the real world.  This therapy is a great tool to help you understand your child and know how developed your child’s creative skills are.