Types of Therapy for Autism: 9 Therapies To Consider

Getting an autism diagnosis can be daunting. You may have questions about the next steps and how you can set your child up for success. Therapy is a common step in a post diagnosis journey, but where to start? There are so many options from traditional to non-traditional therapies and we are here to tell you about 9 of the options you have waiting for you!

A number of therapies can help people with autism improve their abilities and reduce their symptoms. Starting therapy early improves the chances for your child’s success, but it’s never too late to begin treatment.

We suggest you start to research therapies as soon as you suspect your child has autism rather than waiting for a formal diagnosis. In Tennessee, the average wait for an evaluation is 6-12 months, with specialist follow ups and time for testing.

Below we will give you a brief description of different types of therapy along with some common objectives to weigh while planning your next steps.

Traditional Therapies

Traditional therapies are the most common go-to’s for many diagnoses, not just Autism. These therapies are more widely accessible and are more likely to be covered by insurance.

Speech Therapy: Helps children with autism improve their communication skills, including speech articulation, language comprehension, and social communication.

Common Objectives:

  • Articulation

  • Fluency/Stuttering

  • Swallowing/Feeding

  • Pragmatic/Social Language Skills

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Physical Therapy: Focuses on improving gross motor skills, coordination, balance, and strength to help children with autism navigate physical activities and environments more effectively.

Common Objectives:

  • Developing motor skills

  • Increasing strength and endurance

  • Supporting sensory integration

  • Improving joint mobility and flexibility

  • Enhancing coordination and balance

Occupational Therapy: Addresses sensory processing issues, fine motor skills, self-help skills, and activities of daily living to improve a child's independence and participation in daily activities.

Common Objectives:

  • Sensory processing

  • Develop fine and gross motor skills

  • Social and play skills

  • Create environmental adaptations

  • Self-care/life skills

ABA Therapy: Focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, and adaptive learning skills, through positive reinforcement and structured teaching methods.

Common Objectives:

  • Communication skills

  • Behavior reduction

  • Social skills

  • Self-care/life skills

  • Emotional regulation

Non-Traditional Therapies

Non-traditional therapies are typically more liberal arts based, many of which, including Music Therapy, are still evidence and research based. These therapies are going to be less accessible based on location and cost.

Music Therapy: Involves using music-based activities, such as singing, playing instruments, and listening to music, to address communication, sensory processing, and emotional expression in children with autism.

Common Objectives:

  • Facilitate sensory integration and regulation

  • Enhances communication skills

  • Develop fine and gross motor skills

  • Reduces stress and anxiety

  • Improve academic skills

Art Therapy: Allows children to express themselves through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpting, to enhance communication, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.

Common Objectives:

  • Facilitate sensory integration

  • Enhance communication skills

  • Improve self-expression and self-esteem

  • Reduce stress and anxiety

  • Improve fine motor skills

Dance Therapy: Offers children with autism a creative outlet for social interaction, self-expression, and sensory integration.

Common Objectives:

  • Improve body awareness

  • Promote social interaction

  • Foster self-expression and creativity

  • Enhance quality of life

  • Emotional expression

Equine Therapy: Involves interactions with horses and horse-related activities to promote emotional bonding, sensory integration, and motor coordination in children with autism.

Common Objectives:

  • Promote emotional regulation

  • Develop motor skills and balance

  • Enhance communication skills

  • Build confidence and self-esteem

  • Reduce anxiety and stress

Play Therapy: Is a therapeutic approach primarily used with children to help them express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process.

Common Objectives:

  • Cognitive development

  • Improvement in family dynamics

  • Attachment formation

  • Trauma resolution

  • Social skills/coping mechanisms


Why choose Music Therapy?

Music therapy offers a distinct and versatile approach that complements other therapies. It can be particularly effective when traditional therapy methods are insufficient, when progress stalls, and when you want an extra boost of creativity and motivation!

Our client-centered, play based approach at Musical Bridges keeps clients engaged and motivated to meet their goals in a safe and nurturing environment.

Music therapy is accessible. Music is a universal language, appreciated across all ages and cultures. It can engage individuals who might be less responsive to other forms of therapy.

Music therapy is sensory. It involves auditory, tactile, and even visual stimuli (when instruments are played), which can help in sensory integration for individuals with sensory processing disorders.

Music therapy is social. Music therapy often involves making music together. This can foster social connections and improve social skills by encouraging eye contact, turn-taking, and collaborative play.

Music therapy is emotional. Music can evoke deep emotional responses that might not be easily accessed through other means. It can help individuals express and explore their emotions in a supportive and safe environment.

Music therapy supports cognitive functions. Music has been shown to facilitate memory and recall, which is especially beneficial in therapy settings for individuals with autism who might also have cognitive delays or learning difficulties.

Music therapy is physical. Playing musical instruments or engaging in rhythmic movement can improve motor skills and coordination, addressing common physical development deficits and goal areas.

Music therapy is relaxing. The soothing properties of music significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation, beneficial for managing common co-occurring conditions like anxiety in individuals with autism.

Music therapy is culturally sensitive. A great music therapist will tailor music therapy to reflect an individual's cultural background and personal preferences. This ensures a respectful and inclusive approach that enhances the therapeutic experience.

Music therapy is holistic. At Musical Bridges, we support the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs comprehensively to provide a holistic therapy option that supports multiple aspects of well-being in individuals with autism.

Not every therapy will work for you and your child. Consult professionals and other parents to figure out the best course of action for your family. The Musical Bridges family is here to support you in your journey with autism. Let us know if you have any questions or are interested in starting Music Therapy Services here.

Previous
Previous

Neurologic Music Therapy Techniques and Benefits for Autism

Next
Next

Spring Break Hacks - How to make the most of your break!