You’ve just received an autism diagnosis for your child, and now someone is handing you a list of therapy recommendations that might as well be written in a foreign language. OT, SLP, PT. Where do you even start? Here’s a breakdown of the three most common therapies recommended for young children with autism.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earliest years of a child’s life are a remarkable window for growth. The brain is building connections at an extraordinary rate, and connections formed through multiple senses at once are the strongest, which is why hands-on, play-based, multi-sensory learning is so effective for young children. Early intervention is designed to make the most of this window. These therapies can build meaningful skills and open doors.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy, or OT, focuses on helping children gain the skills needed to complete daily tasks and grow in independence. For a child with autism, this can include:
- Developing fine motor skills
- Addressing sensory processing needs
- Supporting feeding challenges related to sensory processing
- Building independence in daily tasks like brushing teeth, getting dressed, and using the bathroom
Speech-Language Therapy
Speech-language therapy covers a wider range than many parents expect. Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, address all aspects of communication as well as feeding and swallowing. For children with autism this can include:
- Building first words and expanding language
- Supporting social communication
- Introducing AAC for children who are not yet using verbal speech
- Addressing childhood apraxia of speech, a condition that affects a child’s ability to carry out the physical movements needed for verbal speech
One important thing to know about AAC: research shows it does not prevent a child from developing verbal speech. In fact, it often supports language development by giving a child a reliable, successful way to communicate while speech continues to grow.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy isn’t always part of an autism treatment plan, but for children who experience motor challenges alongside their diagnosis it can be a valuable form of early intervention. Physical therapists can help with:
- Large motor skills like balance and coordination
- Overall strength and endurance
- Using movement to help children engage with the world around them
School-Based vs. Outpatient Therapy
All three therapies are available both in outpatient clinic settings and as related services in public schools for students who qualify. A few things worth knowing:
- School-based therapy focuses specifically on a child’s needs within the school setting
- A child who doesn’t qualify for school services may still qualify for outpatient services
- A school denial is not the final word
Where to Start
Talk with your child’s pediatrician or evaluating provider about which therapies they recommend first. You don’t have to figure it all out at once. The most important thing right now is that your child is known, seen, and supported — and you’re already doing that by asking the right questions.
To learn more, check out other blogs in this series, the LLH Helping Kids Be Kids podcast, or enroll in our FREE Little Light House Academy Course, More than a Diagnosis: Intro to Autism!
