When your child is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it's normal for you, as a parent, to feel overwhelmed and confused. "What do I do now?", "How can I give my child the best possible care?", "Is there a treatment for this?" are probably a thousand questions that come to mind. But don't worry. The most important thing is that every child with autism is very different. That means that one child's symptoms are not the same as another. Therefore, each child needs a treatment plan that is unique to them and fits their needs. Today, we'll talk about some of the main treatments that have shown successful results in improving the learning, communication, and social skills of these children.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
This is one of the most widely accepted and widely used treatments for children with autism in the world. Specifically, ABA therapy is most effective when started before the child is 5 years old . However, older children can also benefit from it.
What happens with ABA?
Simply put, ABA teaches children social skills, language, motor skills, and logical thinking. It also helps children manage challenging behaviors. All of this is done using the concepts of observation and positive reinforcement .
Think of it this way. When a child wants a toy, if he points to it with his finger and says "ball", and you give him the ball and praise him by saying "Very good, son/daughter!" This is what is called 'positive reinforcement '. When a child does something well, and receives a positive response for it, he is motivated to do it again.
What is the role of parents in this?
To get the most out of ABA therapy, your child will need a significant amount of one-on-one therapy, about 25 hours a week. This can be quite expensive. It is also important for you as a parent to be trained in this . Then you can use these methods at home and consistently reinforce your child's good behavior. Although this requires a lot of time, dedication, and skill, it will help your child integrate what they are learning into their daily lives.
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)
RDI is a relatively new treatment for autism. It focuses on teaching the child to think flexibly and engage in social relationships with others.
RDI treatment usually begins by strengthening the child's relationships with their parents and other family members. Like other treatments, this also targets the main deficits in autism, which are social skills and interaction.
How does RDI work?
Parental involvement is essential to the success of this treatment. Parents are taught how to make every moment spent with their child a "teachable moment."
Imagine you're building a playhouse together. At that time, you can develop social skills through small things like looking into your child's eyes, listening to their ideas, and responding to what they do.
Because RDI is a new method, there is not much scientific evidence yet about its success. However, studies conducted by those who introduced this method have shown that children who receive RDI treatment can see significant improvements. For this, as a parent, you will also have to spend time and money attending workshops and watching videos.
Sensory Integration Therapy
Many children with autism have sensory problems. What does that mean?
- Overly sensitive/Hypersensitive: Some children can't stand bright lights, loud noises, or small labels on clothing. These things are very distressing to them.
- Not sensitive enough/Hyposensitive: Some children may not feel pain as well as others. They may have a reduced response to hot and cold things.
Sensory integration therapy helps regulate a child's response to such external stimuli. A therapist works with the child one-on-one.
For example, if a child is hypersensitive to touch, the therapist may use different types of cloth (e.g., soft, rough) to gently and firmly rub the child's skin. Over time, the child will become accustomed to the sensation.
All of this is done in a way that makes the child feel happy, like a game. Nothing is forced. But the therapist gradually expands the child's boundaries and helps him develop. For this, they use rotating chairs, swings, vibration therapy , and even various exercises.
The important thing here is that you and your child's therapist can try different methods to find what works best for your child. A developmental pediatrician who looks after your child's development can give you good guidance on this.
| Therapy | Main Goal | Parent's Role |
|---|---|---|
| ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) | Teaching social, language, and motor skills. Managing challenging behaviors. | Very high. Training on treatment methods and constant reinforcement at home are necessary. |
| RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) | Teaching to think flexibly and build deep social relationships with others. | Essential. We need to be trained to use everyday situations as "teachable moments." |
| Sensory Integration Therapy | Helping to regulate the child's response to sensations such as light, sound, and touch. | Working closely with the therapist, identify methods that are appropriate for the child and support them at home. |
Remember, this journey is not a solo one!
You are not alone in choosing and implementing these treatments. A multidisciplinary team of professionals, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, behavioral therapists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists, is available to help you and your child. So, if you have any questions or concerns, talk to them openly.
Take-Home Message
- Every child is different: Every child with autism is unique. Therefore, the treatment plan should be tailored to the child.
- It's important to start early: If treatment can be started at a young age, the chances of successful outcomes are higher.
- Parental involvement is essential: Your contribution, dedication, and training directly impact your child's development.
- Work as a team: Stay in touch with your doctor and therapists and work as a team.
- Never give up hope: This may be a long journey, but with the right support and treatment, your child can reach their full potential.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න