Therapies
Explore the full range of therapeutic options, from ABA and speech therapy to music, play, and equine-assisted therapies.
Speech-Language Therapy
Helps develop communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication.
Key Points:
- Improves verbal communication abilities
- Develops alternative communication methods
- Enhances social communication skills
- Supports language comprehension
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Focuses on daily living skills, sensory processing, and fine motor development.
Key Points:
- Improves fine motor skills and coordination
- Addresses sensory processing challenges
- Develops daily living skills
- Enhances independence in activities
Physical Therapy (PT)
Addresses gross motor skills, strength, balance, and coordination.
Key Points:
- Improves gross motor skills
- Builds strength and endurance
- Enhances balance and coordination
- Supports physical development
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Data-driven therapy for teaching new skills and managing challenging behavior.
Key Points:
- Teaches new skills systematically
- Reduces challenging behaviors
- Improves social and communication skills
- Increases independence
Myofunctional Therapy
Addresses oral and facial muscle function, breathing, and swallowing patterns.
Key Points:
- Improves oral motor function
- Supports better breathing patterns
- Enhances swallowing and eating
- May improve speech clarity
Music Therapy
Uses music to address communication, social, emotional, and cognitive goals.
Key Points:
- Enhances communication through music
- Provides emotional expression outlet
- Improves social interaction
- Supports cognitive development
Play Therapy
Uses play as a natural way to help children express themselves and learn new skills.
Key Points:
- Develops social skills through play
- Provides emotional processing opportunities
- Builds communication skills naturally
- Reduces anxiety and stress
Social Skills Training
Teaches specific social skills and helps practice social interactions.
Key Points:
- Improves peer relationships
- Teaches social rules and expectations
- Builds confidence in social situations
- Develops friendship skills
Equine-Assisted, Art, and Aquatic Therapies
Specialized approaches involving animals or creative arts to complement core therapies.
Key Points:
- Enhances motor skills and coordination
- Builds confidence, self-esteem, and trust
- Improves engagement and communication
- Therapeutic activities tailored to individual needs
Feeding Therapy
When sensory sensitivities, oral motor challenges, or anxiety make mealtimes a daily struggle, feeding therapy addresses the root causes rather than just the behavior.
Key Points:
- Picky eating in autism is often sensory or motor-driven
- Feeding therapists assess texture, temperature, and oral motor function
- Behavioral and sensory approaches are often combined
- Early intervention produces the best outcomes
Vision Therapy
Standard eye exams check acuity but miss visual processing problems. Vision therapy addresses how the brain interprets what the eyes see, which is often disrupted in autism.
Key Points:
- Visual processing issues differ from acuity problems
- Can affect reading, sensory overload, and motor coordination
- Performed by developmental or behavioral optometrists
- Often overlooked in standard autism evaluations
Floortime and DIR Model
Developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Floortime follows the child's lead to build emotional and developmental foundations rather than targeting behaviors directly.
Key Points:
- Centers the child's interests and emotional connection
- Focuses on developmental milestones, not behaviors
- Parents are active participants in the therapy
- Particularly effective for younger children
AAC and PECS
Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools give non-speaking and minimally-speaking children a reliable voice, and research shows they support rather than replace speech development.
Key Points:
- AAC does not delay speech development
- PECS uses picture exchange to build communication
- High-tech devices and low-tech boards are both effective
- Communication is a right, not a reward for speech attempts
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can be effective for autistic children managing anxiety and emotional regulation, but standard CBT protocols need adaptation to fit autistic learning styles.
Key Points:
- Most effective when adapted for autistic cognitive styles
- Best evidence base is for anxiety and OCD co-occurring with autism
- Visual supports, concrete examples, and clear structure improve outcomes
- Look for therapists with specific autism CBT training
Animal-Assisted Therapies
From trained service dogs to equine programs and farm animal therapy, animals can lower anxiety, motivate engagement, and open pathways that traditional therapy sometimes cannot.
Key Points:
- Service dogs provide daily functional support
- Therapy animals are used in clinical and school settings
- Equine and farm programs target social and emotional skills
- Not a replacement for evidence-based therapies
All Therapies Articles(15)
Animal-Assisted Therapies for Autism: Dogs, Cats, Farm Animals, and Beyond
Animals can open doors that other therapies cannot. Learn how service dogs, therapy animals, and farm programs support autistic children.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autistic Children: When It Helps and How to Adapt It
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help autistic kids manage anxiety and emotions, but it works best when adapted for the autistic mind.
AAC and PECS for Autism: Giving Every Child a Way to Communicate
When speech is delayed or unreliable, AAC gives autistic children a way to be heard. Learn how AAC and PECS work and why they do not delay speech.
Floortime and the DIR Model: A Relationship-Based Approach to Autism
Floortime centers connection and a child's own interests as the starting point for growth. Learn how this relationship-based therapy works.
Vision Therapy for Autism: When 20/20 Is Not the Whole Story
Many autistic children have visual processing differences that a standard eye exam will miss. Vision therapy addresses how the eyes and brain work together.
Feeding Therapy for Autistic Children: When Picky Eating Is Something More
Many autistic children have significant feeding challenges that go beyond picky eating. Feeding therapy can help address sensory, motor, and behavioral roots.
Social Skills Training for Autistic Children: Building Connection in a World of Unwritten Rules
Social skills training helps autistic children learn unwritten rules of interaction. Learn how structured practice builds confidence in daily life.
Equine-Assisted, Art, and Aquatic Therapies for Autism
Equine, art, and aquatic therapies offer unique pathways for autistic children. Learn how these approaches complement traditional therapies.
Play Therapy for Autistic Children: Speaking Thier Language, Building Thier World
Play therapy meets autistic children in their natural environment to build social and emotional skills. Learn how child-led sessions create real progress.
Music Therapy for Autistic Children: Finding Connections Through Sound and Rhythm
Music therapy uses rhythm and expression to support communication in autistic children. Learn how sessions are structured and what outcomes families see.
Beyond the Common Therapies: Understanding Myofunctional Therapy for Autistic Children
Myofunctional therapy targets oral muscle patterns affecting breathing and speech. Learn how this specialized approach supports autistic children.
Understanding ABA Therapy: What it is Today and How to Choose Wisely
Modern ABA therapy has evolved from its early history. Learn what evidence-based ABA looks like today and what questions to ask before enrolling.
Physical Therapy for Autism: Building Core Strength and Confidence
Physical therapy addresses gross motor skills, strength, and balance in autistic children. Learn why PT is recommended and what sessions involve.
Occupational Therapy: Building Everyday Skills Through Practical Support
Occupational therapy builds daily living skills for autistic children. Learn what OT sessions look like and how they address sensory and motor challenges.
What is Speech Therapy: Understanding How Play Builds Communication
Speech therapy for autistic children goes beyond talking. Learn how play-based techniques build verbal and non-verbal communication from the earliest ages.