Early Intervention Autism Therapy
Autism Therapy Before Kindergarten
As new parents, we often rejoice over our child’s development and the milestones they reach as they progress through life. All children grow and learn at different paces, but a completely different perspective is required for children with developmental delays. On top of that, when your child is still young, their diagnosed delay isn’t even known yet. Early intervention autism therapy is exactly how it sounds, early action therapy for children who have autism. It is a, “let’s come up with a plan” approach of addressing deficits as soon as they are recognized.
If you start to notice delays or regression, talking with your child’s pediatrician about these observations is highly recommended. “What is an Autism Test for Kids?”, breaks down what the process looks like and the steps you should take. Research tells us, that early diagnosis and interventions for autism lead to numerous long-term benefits throughout life including significantly better developmental outcomes. Autism can be detected in most young children before they reach the age of two, however, development at this age varies.
Why is Early Intervention Therapy Urgent?
Helping children overcome developmental delays and gain the skills needed to be successful in academic environments and the world around them is the goal of early intervention autism therapy. Getting an early start on learning can help close the gap with other peers their age. Age ranges for children receiving early intervention therapy are typically from birth to five or six years old, before the child begins kindergarten. At this stage, a child’s brain is still developing, giving them a better chance to retain the skills and information learned. According to NIH, “the sooner a child gets help, the greater chance for learning and progress.”
Not all early intervention autism therapy programs are alike. However, many programs focus on skills to maximize a young child’s ability to communicate, think, self-regulate, and appropriately integrate themselves into different environments. Focusing on retention of these skills at a younger age allows children to be better equipped to make further strides. Research tells us, consistently investing in full-time relationships + routines + reinforcement make an enormous difference in the progress of a child with autism. It’s like, if you know there is an issue now, why wait for it to be addressed, when there are tools and resources available to help your child as quickly as possible.
Summary
Many studies have shown that early intervention autism therapy has an enormous number of benefits. Children with autism are more than capable of achieving many of the same things as others their age, they often just need more support. In 2023, most private insurance plans have ABA therapy coverage, therefore making it even more accessible for families. Talk with your insurance provider to make sure you have adequate coverage for ABA, speech, and occupational therapies, in addition to talking with your child’s pediatrician are the right next steps to take.
Wondering if Ally Behavior Centers is the right place for your child to begin their ABA therapy journey? Or maybe you’re in need of a diagnostic autism evaluation. We know all of this can be a lot to take in and figure out. Give us a call at (240) 342-2666 to find out more information, and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.