Therapy Options
Traditional Therapy Options
- Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
- Assistive Technology or Augmentative Communication (AAC)
- Floortime, aka Play Therapy
- Itinerant Therapies/Services (School Based)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)
- Social Skills Training (SST)
- Speech Therapy
- Verbal Behavior
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
To help relieve the symptoms of Autism that interfere with daily life, some healthcare professionals use treatments that are outside of what is typically recommended by family practitioners. Complementary and Alternative Therapy treatments refer to products or services that are used in addition to, or instead of, traditional medicine. They might include aquatics, art therapy, hippotherapy, auditory integration, special diets, dietary supplements, biologicals (for example, secretin), or mind-body medicine, i.e., yoga, mindfulness meditation, craniosacral manipulation, music, vision, acupuncture/acupressure and reiki (Rudy, 2020).
Complementary and alternative treatments have an important place in supporting some traits of Autism, though neither they nor any mainstream treatment is likely to lead to a “cure” for those seeking it. When selecting treatments, however, it is important to ask these questions:
- What is the desired positive outcome?
- Are there risks associated with the treatment?
- What do researchers, my family physician, and other trusted sources say about the treatment?
- Can I afford the treatment if my insurance does not pay for it?
- What is the time commitment of the treatment?
