There is no cure for autism, but experts agree that the best way to manage symptoms and develop independence skills is through ABA therapy. It’s important to remember that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complicated condition that presents differently in every individual.
As research continues to discover the cause of the disorder – prenatal condition, genetics and other unknown factors – health providers should focus on helping people with ASD live full and satisfying lives. At Therapeutic Pathways, our therapists and behavior technicians share the goal of improving the lives of our clients through science-backed, individualized behavior analytic treatment.
You can’t “get rid” of autism, but you can help your child or family member enjoy a higher quality of life. The therapists and behavior technicians at Therapeutic Pathways want your loved one to thrive, and we work closely with every client to make that happen.
Below, we’ve outlined some of the treatment options available for your child or family member with ASD. Some of the symptoms we work to reduce include:
Behavior Problems
This is a broad category that includes tantrums, self-injury, problems with emotional regulation, and aggressive or violent behaviors. Therapeutic Pathways treats behavior problems at both The Kendall Centers and The Behavior Centers. Those with dangerous, aggressive and self-injurious behaviors are most appropriately treated at The Behavior Centers.
Sensory Differences
These are common symptoms that may cause distress and frustration for individuals with ASD. Therapeutic Pathways provides treatment for hyper- and hyporesponsiveness, sensory and tactile defensiveness, and methods for handling sensory overload, attentional shifts, and selective attention.
Speech and Communication Problems
At Therapeutic Pathways, we use the most recent and research-based findings in speech and language pathology in each child’s treatment plan. Our speech, language and communication goals are integrated into our comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment plan to help children develop the skills they need to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and needs.
Social Skill Developmental Issues
Therapeutic Pathways offers services to help children, teenagers, and adults with ASD improve their social and interpersonal functioning. In our guided social skills groups, we work with children and teens to manage behaviors that interfere with self-acceptance and self-regulation, necessary skills for productive social interaction.
We use a “kids helping kids” program to develop social skills of those with ASD by interacting with their peers.
Autism Treatments
Therapeutic Pathways offers treatment models that are data-driven and evidence based and rely on the science of ABA. Each one of these treatments are individualized to maximize the client’s ability to function by reducing the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. These treatments are individualized, supportive, and designed to help individuals with ASD enjoy a higher quality of life. Treatment models include:
- Early Intensive Behavior Intervention
- Focused Treatments (Feeding, self-care, functional communication, ; speech and language therapy)
- Parent/family training & coaching
- Social Skills Groups
Behavior and Communication Therapy
There is a wide range of social, speech, and behavioral difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorder. ABA therapy can help children, teenagers, and adults with autism develop the skills to better interact with others, including emotional regulation and appropriate social interaction. We don’t just show them how to interact, we facilitate the learning process and interact with them directly.
Many experts consider ABA the most studied intervention for autism. It’s a structured scientific approach that teaches social skills, communication, self-care, and many other skills through methods of repetition and reinforcement. Most individuals who have autism struggle in at least one of these areas, and our experienced ABA therapists are here to guide, teach, and support our clients towards their individual goals.
There are volumes of research suggesting that this approach can also reduce problematic behaviors in individuals with ASD. Therapeutic Pathways has had great success in helping children and adolescents achieve independence through ABA.
ABA Speech and Language Therapies
Therapeutic Pathways offers speech and language therapy through integrated ABA treatment to help individuals with ASD improve their verbal, nonverbal, and social communication skills. We help children and adolescents with ASD communicate in more functional ways to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs.
Some of the goals we work towards improving or developing include:
- Improving spoken language
- Learning nonverbal cues such as gestures and facial expressions
- Learning to communicate through images or technology (this is known as Alternative Augmentative Communication)
An important part of our integrated speech therapy is helping individuals with ASD learn how to effectively communicate in social settings. At Therapeutic Pathways, our Behavior Analysts and RBTs provide the social skills groups with typically developing peers to further develop competency in interactions and observational learning.
Family Support
Therapeutic Pathways offers in-depth ABA therapy for clients and extensive parent training to strengthen relationships between children with autism and their families. Our parent coaching program addresses areas in which parents or caregivers can improve to create a healthy, supportive, and inclusive environment for their child with autism.
We work closely with family members to identify the specific needs of every child in our care. Our goal is to give parents and caregivers the resources they need to create the best environment for their child’s social, emotional, and academic development. This ensures that children are supported and receive the best conditions for growth towards independence.
Some of the areas of training we provide include:
- Managing and preventing tantrums
- Navigating developmental changes
- Promoting speech, language, and communication skills
Therapy for Autism
Our treatment centers help people with autism achieve personally set goals that help them on the path to independence. We aren’t “getting rid” of autism; we’re developing and using treatments to help people with autism thrive. Our evidence-based research and integrated ABA therapy plans help target the specific needs and strengths of each client, which is why we have so many success stories.
Our ABA behavior therapies will help your child develop coping skills for times when they feel overwhelmed or distressed. They will also reinforce positive behavior patterns that help build self acceptance and self esteem in our clients. Our integrated speech and language therapies will teach them to communicate their needs, thoughts, and feelings in an effective and positive way.
You are not alone in this journey. Therapeutic Pathways is here for you every step of the way with our evidence-based autism research and the goal of enriching the lives of our clients and their families. Call our corporate office at (209) 422-3280 or contact us here for more information.
