Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes significant social, communication, and emotional deficiencies. Symptoms can make it difficult to engage with others or live independently. A targeted intervention program in Fort Worth, Texas, improves children’s social, language, and cognitive skills while encouraging socially meaningful interactions with others.
What is Autism?
The exact cause of autism is unknown, although certain factors can increase your risk of developing it. That makes it important to understand the early signs of autism, which can begin to develop in children as young as six months.
Autism is a type of developmental disorder that causes certain cognitive changes that impact emotions, communication, behavior, and learning. Symptoms can begin at six months of age and continue to progress throughout early childhood and pre-adolescence. Common symptoms of autism spectrum disorders include:
- Repetitive behaviors, like rocking back and forth
- Inability to use two-word phrases by age 16 months
- Inappropriate social interactions
- Sleep problems
- Self-injurious behavior
- Repeating words, phrases, or routines compulsively
An early intervention program in Fort Worth, Texas, helps children develop social, cognitive, and language skills while encouraging unforced meaningful social interactions with others. There are several different forms of autism, meaning there is a wide range of potential symptoms. That makes it important to discuss symptoms with your child’s pediatrician. Autism is diagnosed based on observation, as opposed to a blood test. Symptoms must occur in multiple settings and impact social interactions and communication skills.
Autism can cause compulsive behaviors, like needing to place objects in certain places. Insomnia is another common symptom of childhood autism. Difficulty socializing can make it hard to develop friendships and can lead to isolation, which is why improving verbal communication skills is an important part of autism spectrum disorder treatment programs.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment Programs
Early intervention autism spectrum disorder programs work with babies and young children (usually under 7 years of age) to address developmental delays. Early intervention autism spectrum disorder programs can offer treatment such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The reason physical therapy is utilized by autism spectrum disorder treatment programs is that many children with autism can struggle with clumsiness and movement problems. That can make it more difficult to learn how to walk and engage in other physical activities.
Sometimes, medications are utilized alongside therapy to reduce symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder programs offer therapy in-home and at school, which improves treatment outcomes. Family therapy improves your ability to identify and respond to symptoms, which can improve behavior at home.
Autism spectrum disorder treatment programs in Fort Worth, Texas, provide evidence-based ABA autism treatment to help your child succeed with autism. Autism spectrum disorder programs can help:
- Improve verbal and non-verbal skills
- Teach appropriate social behavior
- Improve independence
- Improve self-care
- Teach how to interpret facial expressions
Therapy focuses on teaching skills that make it easier to participate in structured and unstructured activities, which can improve social interactions.
Living with Autism
While autism isn’t curable, autism spectrum disorder treatment programs can reduce the severity of symptoms. Early treatment ensures proper social and communication skills are learned before adulthood, which can make relationships with peers easier to cultivate.
While symptoms can make it difficult to engage with others, communication and social skills are learnable. Having a strong support network can make treatment outcomes more successful. Overall, many people with autism are capable of maintaining healthy relationships following treatment, as understanding social norms and nonverbal cues improves social skills.
Many individuals with autism are capable of living independently and pursuing education and career goals. Finding ways to cope with symptoms includes utilizing autism spectrum disorder treatment programs because everyone’s needs are unique. Autism treatment is tailored to individual and family goals, meaning treatment plans are specialized and address present and future barriers.