This document has been created to provide parents with some guidance for first steps to take or options available when your child has just been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
It has been created by other parents with children on the spectrum who have been navigating the world of autism support and services themselves for some time.
This information is provided to offer parents new to the diagnosis with some options. We recommend you look further into any of these or discuss them with your appropriate advisors before proceeding.
It has been created by other parents with children on the spectrum who have been navigating the world of autism support and services themselves for some time.
This information is provided to offer parents new to the diagnosis with some options. We recommend you look further into any of these or discuss them with your appropriate advisors before proceeding.
FIRST OPTIONS: THERAPY OPTIONS
Some of the therapies you may wish to consider are listed below. Discuss with your medical advisor for what may be best suited to your needs, and remember that early intervention is encouraged but also plan for the future as well.
Speech Therapy
Speech Pathologists / therapists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults
Speech Pathologists / therapists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) helps patients recover or develop skills needed for the activities of daily living, including self-care, leisure, independent living and work.
Occupational therapy (OT) helps patients recover or develop skills needed for the activities of daily living, including self-care, leisure, independent living and work.
Cognitive / Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment approach for a range of mental and emotional health issues including anxiety and depression. CBT aims to help a person identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and to learn practical self-help strategies.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment approach for a range of mental and emotional health issues including anxiety and depression. CBT aims to help a person identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and to learn practical self-help strategies.
Socialising / Communication Courses
There are various courses available to help your child develop or understand how to better communicate their needs and act appropriately.
There are various courses available to help your child develop or understand how to better communicate their needs and act appropriately.
Physiotherapy
Using advanced techniques and evidence-based care, physiotherapists assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders. Physiotherapy helps repair damage, reduce stiffness and pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life.
Using advanced techniques and evidence-based care, physiotherapists assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders. Physiotherapy helps repair damage, reduce stiffness and pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life.
Counselling
Counsellors are health professionals who talk to you about issues in your life, and help solve them. They may be helpful in addressing issues your child is dealing with, or help you as the carer overcome difficulties in your own life.
Counsellors are health professionals who talk to you about issues in your life, and help solve them. They may be helpful in addressing issues your child is dealing with, or help you as the carer overcome difficulties in your own life.
Art Therapy
The arts therapies are a form of psychotherapy utilising creative modalities, including visual art-making, drama, and dance/movement, within a therapeutic relationship to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being.
The arts therapies are a form of psychotherapy utilising creative modalities, including visual art-making, drama, and dance/movement, within a therapeutic relationship to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing.
Music therapy is a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing.
