Early Intervention in Autism: Setting the Stage for Better Outcomes from the Start
As a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you know the challenges your child faces doing tasks that come naturally to non-ASD kids. This doesn’t have to be true forever. Increasingly, Autism research shows the earlier your child starts intervention therapy, the better they will adjust later.
Norfolk Autism Center’s early intervention services provide support and therapy to promote early skill development and positive outcomes.
Young children on the autism spectrum experience communication difficulties which can affect their ability to express their needs and form solid relationships, make engagement challenging in social interactions, and heighten sensory sensitivities to a point that it impacts everyday activities. These challenges affect not only your diagnosed child, but your entire family.
By starting interventions as early as possible, you provide your child with the best chance to develop essential skills like communication, social interaction, and adaptive behaviors. These early efforts can help your child better navigate the challenges they may face in various aspects of life, from school to social relationships.
Research shows that children who receive early intervention services tend to achieve better outcomes, including increased independence, enhanced social integration and improved academic performance. Investing in early intervention not only supports your child’s immediate needs but also lays a solid foundation for their future growth and development.
Tailored Interventions for Infants and Toddlers
Norfolk Autism Center designs support programs and therapies specifically for young children ages 18 months through 6 years of age. Our very young clients are at a critical stage of brain development and require age-appropriate interventions tailored to their specific needs.
Play-Based Therapy for Your Toddler
Therapy for 2–3-year-olds with autism often involves a play-based approach, where play is not just fun but is also designed to promote learning and development. In these sessions, our board-certified therapists create a structured environment that encourages play while also working on specific goals and skills tailored to your child’s needs.
During play therapy sessions, the therapist engages your child in various play activities that target important developmental areas such as communication, social interaction, sensory exploration, and motor skills. For example, our therapist may use toys, games, and activities to encourage your kid to initiate communication, take turns, imitate actions, follow instructions, and engage in pretend play scenarios.
While it may seem like your child is simply having fun and playing, the therapist is guiding and shaping the interaction to promote learning and skill development. We use strategies such as modeling, prompting, reinforcement, and scaffolding to support present engagement and long-term progress. For example, the therapist may model appropriate social behaviors, provide verbal prompts to encourage communication, or use positive reinforcement to reinforce desired behaviors.
Additionally, the therapist observes your child’s responses and adjusts the activities and strategies based on his or her individual strengths and challenges. They may modify the environment, introduce new toys or activities, or change the level of support provided to meet your child’s ever-changing needs and promote optimal learning and engagement.
Regular Assessment and Documentation Ensures Your Child Progresses Toward Goals
Norfolk Autism Center’s licensed therapists regularly assess, and document progress related to your child’s development, adjusting intervention strategies as needed to ensure the progress goals are being met. Our therapists work closely with your whole family to ensure agreement and alignment on the goals and progress towards those goals.
Regular Progress Monitoring
Therapists conduct ongoing assessments during therapy sessions to observe your child’s progress, evaluate skill acquisition, and identify areas for further intervention. These informal assessments may occur weekly or biweekly, depending on the frequency of therapy sessions.
Formal Evaluations
In addition to ongoing monitoring, our therapists will conduct formal evaluations at regular intervals to assess progress more comprehensively and systematically. These evaluations may include standardized assessments, developmental screenings, or structured observations to measure specific skills and milestones. Depending on your child’s progress and the recommendations of the therapy team, formal evaluations may be conducted every 3-6 months.
Documentation
It’s important for therapists to document progress consistently, including both qualitative observations and quantitative data. Documentation may include written notes, video recordings, checklists, or progress reports that capture your child’s achievements, challenges, and areas of growth over time. This documentation not only helps track progress but also communicates valuable information to parents. These reports are also vital when collaborating with other professionals, informing treatment planning across a wide range of health and wellness science.
Parent Involvement
Parents play a crucial role in their child’s therapy journey, and regular communication and collaboration with the therapy team are essential. Therapists will involve parents in the assessment process, share progress updates regularly, and provide guidance on strategies for supporting their child’s development at home. Open communication between therapists and parents fosters a collaborative approach to intervention and enhances the child’s overall progress and well-being.
Success Story!
Norfolk Autism Center’s founding family found themselves facing an autism diagnosis for their 18-month-old child and experienced all the emotions, concerns and fears that you are likely facing if this is a reality for your family now.
As most parents do, they visited a variety of therapy centers but were not happy with the treatment options available to them. They quickly recognized the need for a more comprehensive and compassionate resource that goes beyond conventional approaches. Once they found it, their son began to thrive, became verbal, and the family dynamic with the older children in the home improved significantly.
“Seeing our son make progress and reach milestones we once thought were out of reach has been incredibly rewarding. With the right support and therapy, he’s blossomed into a delightful toddler, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
– B., mom of a child with autism.
Get Your Child the Help They Need Now
Early intervention is crucial for maximizing long-term outcomes and quality of life for children with autism. Find out how our tailored interventions for infants and toddlers, will provide your child with the support they need to thrive. Contact us for a consultation to learn more about how we can help your family thrive.