If your child has autism spectrum disorder, pediatric occupational therapy can provide tailored support, nurture their unique strengths, and empower them to achieve the highest level of independence possible. Keep reading to learn more about autism spectrum disorder and how occupational therapy can help children who have this condition thrive.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can impact the way a child communicates, behaves, and processes sensory information. Not everyone with autism spectrum disorder will experience the same challenges. For some children, the symptoms of this condition are very mild and don’t require much intervention or support. Other children can experience more severe symptoms that require ongoing support to empower them to achieve more independence and improve their overall wellbeing.
What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?
There is no known, singular cause for autism spectrum disorder. Researchers have found several common risk factors that can increase a child’s chance of developing this condition, such as premature birth or certain genetic factors, but more research is needed to fully understand the causes of this condition.
How Will Autism Spectrum Disorder Impact My Child’s Development?
Children with autism spectrum disorder may experience a range of developmental challenges depending on the severity of their condition. Some common challenges include:
- Trouble making and maintaining friendships
- Difficulty understanding and using nonverbal communication
- Struggles expressing their ideas or understanding others
- Engaging in repetitive movements or speech
- Trouble handling changes in routine
- Heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory input
- Difficulty with fine and gross motor skills
- Trouble making or holding eye contact with others
- Struggles with speech in general or not speaking at all
- Difficulty regulating emotional reactions or behavior
How Occupational Therapy Helps Children with Autism
Occupational therapy is designed to help children build their cognitive, social, fine motor, and sensory processing skills. By working closely with children who have autism spectrum disorder, occupational therapists help children achieve more independence and be able to participate in daily activities like attending school or playing with others. We use play-based, proven techniques to build the vital skills children need for success in life, such as:
- Regulating emotional responses to sensory input
- Understanding verbal and nonverbal language
- Expressing their ideas in a way that can be easily understood
- Improving social skills for making friends
- Building hand-eye coordination, handwriting, and other fine motor skills
- Managing repetitive behaviors
- Regulating emotional responses to changes in routine
- Participating in their own self-care
Free Developmental Assessment
Wondering if your child is meeting their milestones? Our free online developmental assessment offers a simple, reassuring way to see how your child is progressing for their age. You’ll receive a personalized review with one of our licensed pediatric specialists, along with guidance on next steps.
How ABA Therapy Can Help Your Child with Autism
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy uses positive reinforcement to help your child build the skills they need for everyday life. This individualized approach means your child’s plan of care reflects their unique strengths, needs, and goals.
Through personalized, engaging sessions, your child’s ABA therapist can help them with:
- Communication: Expressing their wants, needs, and ideas more clearly, whether through words, gestures, or other communication tools
- Social Interaction: Building friendships, taking turns, and interacting more confidently with peers and family members
- Routines: Moving through familiar routines and adjusting more easily to transitions or unexpected changes
- Daily Living Skills: Strengthening skills like dressing, hygiene, and following directions during everyday activities
- Independence: Completing everyday tasks on their own and building confidence along the way
- Positive Behavior Development: Learning new, effective ways to communicate and cope, so they can navigate difficult moments with more confidence
ABA Works With Your Child’s Care Team
ABA therapy can work alongside speech and occupational therapy to support shared goals:
- Speech Therapy: Helps your child understand and use nonverbal cues, like tone and body language, and develop the language skills they need to express their wants, needs, and ideas
- Occupational Therapy: Helps your child manage sensory sensitivities, build fine motor skills, and develop the self-care routines they need for everyday life
For example, if your child is learning to ask for help in speech therapy or get dressed in occupational therapy, their ABA therapist can give them additional opportunities to practice those skills during familiar routines. Their therapists can share updates and coordinate goals so each service supports your child’s progress. Your child’s ABA therapist can also provide practical strategies you can use to continue practicing these skills at home.
ABA therapy is now available at both our Fort Smith and Fayetteville locations, alongside speech and occupational therapy, giving your family access to coordinated pediatric care in one familiar place.
How ABA Therapy Can Help Your Child with Autism
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy uses positive reinforcement to help your child build the skills they need for everyday life. This individualized approach means your child’s plan of care reflects their unique strengths, needs, and goals.
Through personalized, engaging sessions, your child’s ABA therapist can help them with:
Insurance & Financial Policy
Our mission at Little Hands at Play Therapy is to help you navigate the world of insurance in order to maximize the benefits available from your insurance policy to cover services for your child.
Accepted Insurance
We accept a variety of insurances:
- Arkansas Medicaid
- BCBS
- Cigna
- QualChoice
- Ambetter
Specialized Care
We accept PASSE coverage from:
- Arkansas Total Care
- Empower
- Summit Community Care
TEFRA Option:
Our staff can provide info about Medical Assistance for help.
Payment Options
Cash, checks, and major credit cards are accepted as payment.
Sliding Scale:
LHAP Therapy offers a sliding scale for cash-pay customers.
Schedule an Evaluation
If your child has autism spectrum disorder, Little Hands at Play can help them build their skills to improve their overall quality of life. We have locations in Fort Smith and Fayetteville. Call us at (479) 226-3409 to schedule an evaluation with our occupational therapists today.