Step 2: Identify and Prioritize Your Child’s Treatment Options

Effective treatments exist.  Effective interventions may reduce symptoms, improve cognitive ability and daily living skills, and maximize the ability of an individual to function and participate in the community.  Remember that Autism is a spectrum disorder. Some people may need little to no treatment, while others may require intensive therapy.  

The treatment approach that you choose should be a good fit for your child and your family.  Treatments should be evidence-based, comprehensive, available, affordable, and support family involvement.  The treatment philosophy should also make sense and fit into your family’s value system. 

What does your child need most?  What is causing you the most concern? What caused you to seek out a diagnosis? Is it your child’s behavior? Toilet training? Lack of speech? Problems at school? Does your older child need recreational opportunities, employment, or social skill building?  

Once you have carefully and thoroughly identified the conditions and areas of support that require treatment, the question becomes what to treat, when to treat it, and how to treat it.