How to Find Quality Autism Therapy Near Me: Top 5 Q&A

Welcome back to another episode of “Turn Autism Around®,” join me, Dr. Mary Barbera, along with Kelsey General, our community manager, as we dive into the complex world of finding therapy for children with autism. But, not just any therapy, good quality therapy. We are answering your top 5 questions about finding good therapy for kids with autism or those showing signs so that you have all the tools you need to help your children. One of the top questions we get asked is “How do I find autism therapy near me?” . Today we will answer this and more. So come listen in whether your child is already in therapy or school, or you are just wondering how to get started!

YOU’LL LEARN

How much therapy do children with autism or showing signs need?
How to find therapy near me
Engaging children during their waking hours
How to communicate with therapy providers
What quality autism therapy looks like
What to do if you are unhappy with therapy
How to help if you are on a waitlist for therapy

Autism Therapy Near Me

In this episode, we also explore strategies for finding suitable therapy providers for children. We emphasize the importance of finding a provider who can effectively reinforce a child’s behavior and address concerns about instances where the child refuses to participate or listen. We highlight techniques like escape extinction (and how they are not neccessary or recommended) and the need to enhance reinforcement strategies. We also touch on safety concerns, such as the presence of a fence in the play yard.

I know you are wondering,” is there autism therapy near me like this?” To help you locate autism therapy services near your location, we suggest searching for professionals well-versed in the verbal behavior approach and utilizing the VB-Mapp assessment tool. We discuss various methods such as online research, networking with parents in the local area, and considering online consultations. We emphasize the importance of finding providers who meet specific criteria, including accepting insurance, having no waitlist, and serving children within the appropriate age range or geographic area. We also explore the option of telehealth services, particularly for individuals in other countries, and discuss the potential need for additional support from nannies or mother’s helpers.

We acknowledge the challenges of long wait times for therapy services, and finding therapy services near you and encourage continuous learning and exploration of alternative therapy options during these waiting periods. We highlight the importance of early intervention and taking proactive steps while waiting for services from an ABA center or other therapy providers, including taking my online courses. We talk about the benefits of hiring a babysitter or college student to learn and implement intervention strategies at home. By the time the waitlist is cleared, the child would have acquired new skills.

Bad therapy…and what to do.

Lastly, we address situations where the current therapy provider is unsuitable and provide tips on finding a more suitable fit. We stress the significance of finding professionals who can positively contribute to the child’s therapy team and address their specific needs. Advocacy for a child’s requirements within therapy settings is strongly encouraged, along with open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and pursuing alternative services if necessary. It is crucial to not only remove children from unsuitable therapy environments but ensure they are placed in supportive and effective setting.

We also discuss the need for parents to learn how to support their child’s development at home and involve all relevant parties in the child’s treatment. We suggest calling IEP meetings or team meetings to address concerns promptly as an impactful measure. The central message is for parents to trust their instincts and take proactive steps to secure the best outcome for their child.

Throughout this episode, we emphasize the importance of advocating for special education programs and services for children with special needs. We share personal experiences and discuss the positive impact that developing a successful program can have not only on our own children but also on other children facing similar challenges.

So whether you have a child with autism or a child showing signs, you won’t want to miss this information packed episode! Please leave us a review at your favorite podcast listening service if you loved this information.

How many hours of speech therapy for autism?

One of the initial questions we tackle revolves around the hours of therapy needed for children exhibiting signs of autism. I shed light on the existence of free or low-cost early intervention services in the United States for children with developmental delays or suspected autism. We offer insights on how you, as a listener, can locate these services based on your geographical location. However, these services are often limited to an hour or two of speech therapy, or OT a week and that is often not enough. But what if you can’t get more hours of speech therapy? I recommend taking my online courses so that you can provide your child with more hours of therapy.

The core message of this episode centers around the significance of early intervention for children with delays in development, particularly those with speech delays or indications of autism. It is crucial to understand that more than just one hour of speech therapy per week is needed for children with delays. In fact, children with delays require engagement for a significant portion of their waking hours, totaling approximately 100 hours per week. This engagement doesn’t mean they are in therapy for this long, but rather they are engaged in activities, and face-to-face time with therapists and/or caregivers.

That’s why it is essential for parents and early intervention professionals to familiarize themselves with proven strategies to support children with delays.

ABA therapy for autism

Throughout the episode, we dive into the significance of early intervention and accurate diagnosis for children with autism. While procedures may vary across different countries, we suggest connecting with local autism groups and seeking advice from other parents as valuable resources. Online courses are also identified as potential avenues for gaining helpful guidance.

Ultimately, we recommend Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy as the most evidence-based treatment for children with autism. However, it is crucial to tailor the type and intensity of ABA therapy to the individual child’s needs. Seeking guidance from professionals and utilizing available resources can lead to better outcomes for children with autism.

A key point emphasized in this episode is that effective ABA therapy should be positive, child-friendly, and rooted in early intervention techniques that prioritize both the child and the family. It should empower parents and foster open dialogue and collaboration between parents, therapists, and BCBA professionals. Ongoing progress monitoring, data tracking, and the flexibility to adapt goals based on the child’s individual needs are also important aspects of good ABA therapy.

Finding a reliable ABA provider is ideal, but if that is not possible, implementing therapy at home and utilizing resources like my courses can still yield benefits. Collaboration, considering parent preferences, and setting specific goals across various domains are identified as key aspects of effective ABA therapy.