Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism impacts around 1% of the world’s population, and the majority of children are diagnosed between 3–7 years old, though some children may exhibit signs of ASD in the first year of their lives. As it can be diagnosed as young as three years old, early intervention for children with autism could be key if you want to set your child up for success.
It is important for parents to understand that comorbidities are common with individuals with autism, and it is not uncommon for ADHD, sleep issues, or anxiety to be present as well. However, it should also be made clear that autism is not a learning disability, and it can look different in boys vs girls due to various factors, so approaching everyone as an individual is key, and you should not make assumptions or generalisations about your child.
What Is Early Intervention in Autism?
Early intervention simply refers to providing services to a child with ASD at an early age to improve on areas where the child may be lacking, and develop their full potential. There are many types of early intervention for children with autism, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and more, depending on what the individual child needs.
Early autism support can be hugely beneficial to your child as it allows interventions to be more successful as your child is developing. Cognitive development, social skills, communication, and more can all be improved upon, helping your child live a fuller life.
It’s important to mention here that autism cannot be ‘treated’ — it is not a sickness, and there is no ‘cure’ for autism. An individual with ASD simply has a brain that works differently from neurotypical people, and they may struggle in some areas while thriving in others. Just like anyone else, they have strengths and weaknesses, and many of those weaknesses can be lessened through early intervention in the form of speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA and play-based programmes.
Why Does Timing Matter? The Brain’s Window for Growth
Timing matters when it comes to early intervention for children with autism due to the brain’s growth and function. At an early age, the brain is the most receptive to learning and changing, making early intervention effective from as early as one year old—but it can still be incredibly effective if your child goes to therapy at any point.
It’s important to do early intervention as soon as you can to ensure that the necessary skills are developed and improved upon at a young age. By taking steps to achieve this, you can help your child avoid difficulties down the line, and help them become more independent in their lives so that they can enjoy the freedoms they deserve.
What Are the Key Benefits of Early Support for Autism?
There are numerous benefits of early intervention for children with autism, from improving communication skills and improving their self-esteem, to reducing behavioural challenges by helping them understand and navigate sensory overload, anger, echolalia, and more. It also gives you as a parent the opportunity to learn more about how to parent a child and handle issues around sensory overload yourself.
Every child might need something different from their early intervention and support, and it is important that you take the time to communicate with the professionals and determine which areas need work, and which do not, to come up with a programme that will be beneficial for your child.
Some of the key benefits of early intervention for children with autism include:
- Better self-esteem
- Improved communication and language
- Reduced behavioural challenges
- Greater independence and social skills
As a parent, you need to show your support and put in the effort to learn about autism and what it can entail, (and not by looking at depictions of fictional characters with autism!), and see what you can do to make your child’s life easier and more manageable.
What Might Early Intervention Look Like?
Early intervention for children with autism can look different, but speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) are particularly helpful, as these are areas in life where individuals with ASD can easily fall behind and struggle. As such, it is important to take steps early on and intervene to help them as they grow and learn.
Speech and language therapy can be incredibly helpful for autistic children who cannot communicate effectively, struggle with social cues, and do not know how to interact with the world around them appropriately. The goal of this therapy is teaching the child how to communicate verbally and non-verbally and thrive in social environments while being able to communicate their needs and wants in everyday life.
Occupational therapy is useful for children with ASD, as this therapy type aims to help individuals overcome various challenges that they may see in everyday life. Tasks that we do every day can be challenges for many, whether it’s brushing your teeth, tying your shoes, or anything else. Occupational therapy is excellent for children with ASD, as many children with autism can struggle with a number of daily activities, and overcoming these challenges will allow them to thrive in life.
ABA and play-based programmes are excellent for leveraging the natural inclination that most children have—playing! These programmes allow ABA to be done in a natural way for a child to ensure engagement and comfort, and ultimately, learning and improvement. This method makes therapy feel more casual and natural, while allowing the child to discover new things and explore their way through life while still getting help.
What Should You Do If You Suspect That Your Child Has Autism?
If you suspect that your child has autism, you should speak to a professional and organise for an autism assessment to go ahead. You can aim to get an assessment through the NHS, but please be aware that waiting times could be lengthy. Alternatively, you can speak with another professional like us here at The Brain Workshop for tailored advice and assistance on your journey.
Whether your child has autism or not, if you notice that they are not where they should be developmentally in a skill such as communication, please remember that you can sign them up for therapies to help them regardless. However, if your child is diagnosed, early intervention for children with autism is more important than ever, as they can continue to fall behind without the proper support to help them reach their full potential.
How The Brain Workshop Supports Children and Families Early On
Autism can be challenging to handle, but it’s important to remember that it is not an illness, and it does not need to be cured. However, there will be areas where your child might struggle, and it is your responsibility to do what you can to help.
Concerned about your child’s development? Contact The Brain Workshop for early, expert-led support that empowers both children and families. Or, find out more about signs of sensory overload, how ASD can impact sensory processing, and the link between autism and sleep issues.
Early intervention for children with autism is important, and should go ahead at the earliest convenience to get the best results. While every child will have different strengths and weaknesses, there is a good chance that interventions such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA will help give your child the tools they need to thrive as they grow up and learn.
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