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Hidden Talents ABA provides treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our focus is to help children grow and thrive by improving communication, social, and adaptive skills. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

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We believe that children with autism can lead happy, and productive lives. Through the expert care and guidance of our trained BCBAs, your child can achieve more than you thought possible. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

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This October we are recognizing Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise awareness and to advocate for the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month on October 2021

At Hidden Talents ABA, we believe that children with autism can lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. Learn how we are giving children a greater chance at success at hiddentalentsaba.com

Children of different genders enjoying, showing greatest chance at success

Although there’s no cure for autism spectrum disorder, a range of therapies can help reduce the most common symptoms associated with the condition. However, early diagnosis and interventions are crucial for achieving long-term positive effects on skill development. Continue reading to find out what types of early autism solutions are available and how they can help autistic children reach their full potential.

What Type of Therapy Do Autistic Children Need?

Most therapies for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are based on either a behavioral or developmental approach. The two approaches are often combined and used in speech, occupational, physical, and social development therapies, depending on the child’s individual needs.

Behavior therapies

Behavior therapies, generally referred to as applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies, are used to help children with autism learn new skills, reinforce positive behaviors, and reduce unwanted ones. 

Techniques typically used in behavioral therapies include:

  • Discrete Trial Training (DTT), a technique that breaks down skills into smaller components that are easy to learn. 
  • Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), a comprehensive instruction method used for autistic preschoolers. 
  • Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), a play-based treatment initiated by the child.
  • Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER), the approach that identifies and treats the principal deficit areas in autistic children.

Developmental therapies

Developmental therapies help promote social interactions by teaching the necessary social, communication, and daily living skills. 

Examples of developmental therapies include:

  • Developmental Social-Pragmatic (DSP) treatment, a model that uses everyday interactions between autistic children and the caregiver in order to promote communication skills.
  • Developmental and Individual Differences Relationship (DIR) therapy, also called Floortime, that builds on strengths, interests, and already existing communication skills to motivate autistic children to learn new skills.
  • Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), a family-centered approach designed to build relationships through sharing various emotional and social experiences.
  • Responsive Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching (RPMT), an intervention for autistic children who are nonverbal or who have significant speech delays.

Combined therapies

Certain therapies for autism combine elements of behavioral and developmental approaches. These therapies are often shown to be the most effective ones. For example, behavioral therapy may show better results if it also includes elements of developmental therapies that focus on learning skills.

Combined therapies include:

  • Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a play-based therapy that helps develop social communication in children with autism.
  • Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS) that uses elements from several other approaches, including ABA, Floortime, and RDI. 

Therapy-based supports

Therapy-based supports for autistic children target specific difficulties when it comes to development or communication skills. They are often used together with, or as part of, other therapies and include: 

  • Speech therapy that addresses challenges with language and communication
  • Occupational therapy that helps develop fine motor skills and daily living skills
  • Key Word Sign strategy, the use of signs and gestures to support language development
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) which allows communication through pictures.

Below, we focus on the benefits of ABA therapy for children with autism. 

What Is Aba Therapy?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the most popular therapy for autism offered in early childhood. It focuses on changing unwanted behaviors while reinforcing desirable ones through positive reinforcement in the form of rewards and other incentives. 

ABA therapy can help your child with autism build and strengthen social and communication skills, such as:

  • Increase attention, focus, and memory
  • Learn to follow directions and instructions
  • Improve language skills 
  • Learn to initiate conversations and respond to questions
  • Help understand social cues like facial expressions and body language
  • Reduce problematic behaviors such as aggressivity and meltdowns
  • Help acquire basic academic and pre-academic skills.

Read on to find out more about the different types of early intervention therapies. 

What Is Considered Early Intervention Therapy?

Early interventions take place at or before preschool age. An early intervention therapy can be used already at the age of 2 or 3, as soon as your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At this age, your child’s brain is still forming, which increases the chances of treatments being effective in the long run.

There are several different types of early intervention therapies that can help your child gain the basic physical, cognitive, communication, and emotional skills that they would typically learn in the first years of life. These therapies include:

  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Hearing impairment services
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Psychological therapy
  • Family training.

Autistic children often benefit from a combination of these therapies. In addition, they often need different therapies or therapy combinations at various stages of their development.

We’ve seen that there are many effective treatments that can help reduce autism symptoms, but you may be wondering whether early treatment increases the chances that your child will outgrow autism. 

Can Early Autism Go Away?

Autism spectrum disorder is typically considered a lifelong condition, although research shows that some children can outgrow a diagnosis. However, children who are likely to see radical improvement are those with normal or above normal IQ and mild autism symptoms that don’t include issues such as seizures, speech delays, learning disabilities, or severe anxiety

And that’s not all. Results can only be achieved with rigorous long-term therapy. For example, ABA-based early intervention requires up to 40 hours of treatment per week for several years before you can see a significant improvement.  

It is also important to keep in mind that even high functioning children who appear to outgrow autism often continue to struggle with sensory issues, communication difficulties, and other challenges.

Does Medication Help Autism?

Medication can’t cure autism, but it can effectively treat symptoms that autistic children may experience, for example:

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Obsessive compulsive behavior
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Self-harming behavior
  • Seizures
  • Tics
  • Sleep disorders.

Medications that are used to treat these symptoms include:

  • Typical antipsychotics (haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine) and typical antipsychotics (risperidone and aripiprazole) for reducing autism-related irritability 
  • Stimulants (dexamphetamine and methylphenidate) for a temporary increase in mental or physical functions.

Medications for treating symptoms of autism are most effective when combined with behavioral or developmental therapies.

ABA therapy as an early autism solution

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a widely recognized therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It involves understanding how behavior works, how it is affected by the environment, and how learning takes place.

Early intervention using ABA therapy has been found to be particularly effective. Many studies have shown that early intervention can greatly increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

ABA therapy programs aim to increase language and communication skills, improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics while decreasing problem behaviors. Several studies have also shown that early immersion in ABA therapy leads to improved language and communication skills.

Pediatric ABA therapy is an early intervention program designed to help young children who experience delays in pivotal developmental skills. Individualized behavioral and educational treatment plans are provided to children with ASD, and services can be offered in the child’s natural environment.

The importance of early intervention in autism is well-documented. With hundreds of peer-reviewed studies, ABA has become the standard of care for early intervention treatment of ASD. Ivar Lovaas, a pioneer in developing ABA therapy, proved that early intervention and intensive behavioral therapy enabled children with autism to achieve success.

In conclusion, ABA therapy is considered a leading approach in treating children with autism, especially when initiated early. It provides personalized, high-quality, and effective treatment to meet each child’s unique needs.

National Child Health Day occurs annually on the first Monday in October. The day recognizes the care and guidance children need to grow strong and healthy. Whether it’s their environment, the food they eat or how much TV they watch, the day is an excellent opportunity to support the children in your life. 

 

If your son or daughter has autism, safety is constantly on your mind. You want others to know about the diagnosis, and you want to ensure that medical providers have any needed information during emergencies. You can accomplish this by having your son or daughter wear an autism bracelet.

A kid wearing autism bracelet

What Is an Autism Bracelet?

An autism bracelet is essentially a medical ID for people who are on the spectrum. The bracelets quickly communicate that the wearer has autism. Plus, the bracelets can contain:

  •       Emergency contact information
  •       Medical information

These bracelets might sound simple, but they are very important.

Why Are Autism Bracelets Important?

By wearing an autism bracelet, your child will alert others that he or she is on the spectrum. This is especially beneficial when your child is out in public without you or the other parent. When others realize your child has autism, they can interact accordingly. This makes it much easier for your child to get the support needed in public.

Autism bracelets also contain vital medical information. If your child has a medical emergency, healthcare providers can use the bracelet to learn about allergies and more. Thus, your child will get the necessary care, even if he or she cannot communicate. This can mean the difference between life and death in some situations.

In addition, the bracelet makes it easy for others to contact you. If your child does have an emergency, a witness or first responder can call you so you can tend to the situation.

Due to these important benefits, you’re likely considering buying an autism bracelet for your child. First, we’ll go over some tips for making a purchase. Then, it will be much easier to get a bracelet that will protect your son or daughter.

Tips for Autism Bracelets

If you’re new to the world of autism bracelets, you probably don’t know where to begin. First, let’s look at some basic tips to consider when shopping for these bracelets, starting with purchasing one your child wants to wear.

Buy One Your Child Wants to Wear

An autism bracelet can only help if your child wears it. Thus, it’s important to choose one that your son or daughter wants to wear.

This often comes down to colors. Children are more likely to wear a bracelet in a color they like. You can also have your child help you pick out the bracelet to ensure he or she likes it. Then, your son or daughter will get excited about putting it on each day. It will be a fun accessory instead of a medical alert bracelet.

Get It Personalized

Also, get the autism bracelet personalized. Include important information, such as your child’s name and an emergency contact number. Also, you can list medical conditions, such as allergies.

Finally, you can add a fun tidbit when personalizing the autism bracelet. For example, if your child loves a certain character, add it to the bracelet. That can come in handy when others are trying to connect with your son or daughter. This can also help calm your child down in public situations.

name bracelet

Buy a Few in Case They Get Lost

No matter how careful you are, you could lose the autism bracelet. Because of that, it’s important to purchase several so you’ll have backups.

If your child only likes one color, you can buy several in the same color. However, if your son or daughter likes to mix things up, choose different colors to provide a selection.

Next, let’s look at the best brands of autism bracelets. Then, you can take the next step and order a bracelet for your child.

Best Brands of Autism Bracelets

The market is full of autism bracelets, so the question is, which brand is the best? There are actually three solid choices you can choose from when shopping for these brands. Let’s look at each one, starting with Alert Me Bands.

Alert Me Bands

Alert Me Bands is probably the most popular manufacturer of autism bracelets. There are tons of designs to choose from, allowing wearers to show off their personal styles. This includes bracelets with autism puzzle pieces or ribbons, which can serve as an obvious indicator of the wearer’s autism.

Once you choose the bracelet you want, you can select the color and add up to four lines of text. While the text is often used for emergency contact information, you can also add medical information, as we mentioned earlier.

Also, these bands are adjustable, so people of all wrist sizes can wear them. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your son or daughter taking it off. While you can easily take the band on and off, you also have the option to childproof it. Then, your child won’t be able to remove it without your help.

Medical ID Fashions

Artist and cancer survivor Abbe Sennett designs and creates autism bracelets and then sells them under the name Medical ID Fashions. She designs “unremovable” autism bracelets, meaning that two hands are needed to take the bracelets off. Thus, your child cannot remove the bracelet without assistance.

The bracelets are fashionable, so kids enjoy wearing them. At the same time, they contain all the relevant information on the ID tag. The ID tag has four customizable lines, so you can include emergency contact information, medical information, and more. You can even use one of the lines to add a fun fact, such as that your child loves Spiderman. 

The ID tag hangs off the bracelet and is clearly visible. Just like the bracelet itself, the ID tags are available in various options. All are oval-shaped, but you can choose from different colors so your son or daughter can find something that fits their personal style. Some children choose to wear the same style of bracelet every day but like to switch up the ID tags from time to time.

MedicAlert ID

You likely think that MedicAlert bracelets are just for elderly people. While the elderly population certainly benefits from these bracelets, they are available for people with autism as well.

As with the bracelets from the other brands, you can use this bracelet to communicate your child’s condition and medical needs. Also, you can add emergency contact information.

When you enroll your child or other loved one into the MedicAlert program, you’ll also benefit from the 24/7 Wandering Support Program. This means if your loved one wanders away and cannot be found, the MedicAlert Foundation will work with law enforcement and others to locate the individual. This can provide peace of mind if your child tends to get lost.

There are numerous options for bracelets, and you can even get dog tags if you wish. With so many choices, it’s easy for kids to find something they’re excited about wearing.

kids gathering | Best brands of autism bracelets

Choose an Autism Bracelet Today

Now is the ideal time to purchase an autism bracelet. Remember, select one that your child will like, get it personalized, and buy a few in case you lose any of them. Also, consider purchasing the bracelets from a top brand so you will get the customization options and features necessary to protect your child.

 

 

Our goal at Hidden Talents ABA is to guide you through the therapy process with your child and navigate any possible obstacles that occur. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com.

2 kids helping each other complete the task | The Key To Success Is Consistency

Our goal is to guide you through the therapy process with your child and navigate any possible obstacles that occur. We do all we can to make caring for your child as smooth and easy as possible. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com 

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“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the awareness of that village.”
~ Eliane Hall

Children engaged in play | Raising Awareness