Types of Autism Therapy: A Complete Guide for Parents

Understanding Autism Therapy Options

When your child receives an autism diagnosis, you're often presented with a bewildering array of therapy options. According to the CDC, early intervention and appropriate therapies can significantly improve outcomes—but how do you know which therapies are right for your child?

This guide covers the most common autism therapies, the evidence supporting them, and how to choose the best combination for your child's unique needs.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

What Is ABA?

ABA uses principles of learning and behavior to increase helpful behaviors and decrease harmful ones. Modern ABA is individualized, often play-based, and focuses on teaching functional skills in natural environments.

What ABA Addresses

• Communication and language
• Social skills
• Self-care and daily living skills
• Academic readiness
• Play skills
• Challenging behaviors
• Safety skills

Modern ABA Approaches

Today's ABA looks different from older approaches. Our neurodiversity-affirming ABA emphasizes:

• Play-based, natural learning
• Child-led interests and motivation
• Building skills rather than eliminating autistic traits
• Respecting assent and child agency
• Family involvement and training
• Focus on quality of life and autonomy

Who Provides ABA?

ABA is designed and supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and often delivered by trained Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) under BCBA supervision.

Speech-Language Therapy

What It Addresses

• Expressive language (speaking, signing)
• Receptive language (understanding)
• Articulation and pronunciation
• Pragmatic language (social use of language)
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Feeding and swallowing (some SLPs)

When It's Helpful

Speech therapy is particularly valuable for children with language delays, echolalia, articulation difficulties, or those who need AAC systems. It complements ABA well, with speech goals often incorporated into ABA programming.

Who Provides It

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) with the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).

Occupational Therapy (OT)

What It Addresses

• Sensory processing and integration
• Fine motor skills (writing, cutting, buttoning)
• Gross motor skills and coordination
• Daily living skills (dressing, feeding, hygiene)
• Visual-motor integration
• Self-regulation strategies

When It's Helpful

OT is particularly valuable for children with significant sensory sensitivities, motor delays, or difficulties with self-care skills. Sensory integration therapy, a specific OT approach, helps children process sensory input more effectively.

Who Provides It

Occupational Therapists (OTs) or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) under OT supervision.

Social Skills Groups

What It Addresses

• Peer interaction skills
• Conversation abilities
• Friendship development and maintenance
• Understanding social rules and expectations
• Perspective-taking
• Managing social situations

When It's Helpful

Social skills groups are particularly helpful for school-age children and teens who need peer practice opportunities. They work best when combined with individual therapy that builds foundational skills.

Other Therapy Options

Physical Therapy

Addresses gross motor skills, coordination, balance, and physical fitness. Helpful for children with motor delays or hypotonia (low muscle tone).

Play Therapy

Uses play to address emotional regulation, social skills, and processing of experiences. Our play-based learning approach incorporates therapeutic play within ABA.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Effective for anxiety and emotional regulation in verbal, cognitively able autistic individuals. Often modified for autism.

Music Therapy

Uses music to address communication, social, and emotional goals. Evidence is growing for its effectiveness with autism.

Developmental Models (DIR/Floortime, RDI)

Relationship-based approaches focusing on emotional and developmental foundations. Some parents use these alongside or instead of ABA. Evidence is emerging but less extensive than for ABA.

Therapy Comparison Chart

Choosing the Right Therapy Combination

Most autistic children benefit from multiple complementary therapies. Consider:

• Your child's specific needs: Focus on areas of greatest challenge
• Age: Intensive ABA is most beneficial for young children
• Evidence: Prioritize therapies with strong research support
• Practical factors: Insurance coverage, availability, family schedule
• Coordination: Ensure therapies work together, not in isolation
• Family capacity: Balance therapy with family time and child's stamina

Red Flags: Therapies to Approach with Caution

Be wary of treatments that:

• Promise to "cure" or "recover" autism
• Have no scientific evidence supporting them
• Require expensive supplements or special diets without medical basis
• Involve potentially harmful interventions (chelation, MMS, etc.)
• Pressure you to act immediately or use fear tactics
• Focus on making your child "indistinguishable" from neurotypical peers

Always consult with your pediatrician and seek therapies with evidence base and qualified providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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