Resources and Services
Therapy Services
Please keep in mind no one therapy is guaranteed to work for everyone. It may take many attempts at different methods of therapy to find what is really helpful.
Speech Therapy - Speech therapy is designed to help autistic people with social communication. Whether that be working on a stammer or working towards finding another non-verbal form of communication.
Physical Therapy - Sometimes autistic people can have difficulties with a lot of physical issues. From motor control to posture. Therapy can be more intensive such as teaching people how to walk. But there is also therapy for things like keeping a proper posture.
Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapy is generally geared specifically towards disabled people. Usually it is a very communicative therapy focused on understanding an individuals needs. Often this therapy is done to help patients assess their situation and needs before going and making a treatment plan. These therapists are generally a longer term therapy program. Sometimes people even have them through most of their life.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Therapy (AAC) - Similar to speech therapy this is a therapy designed to guide autistic people to alternative methods of doing every day activities. From sign language, writing and even apps on tablets that act as virtual PEC boards.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - This therapy is designed to be done in two parts. Cognitive and behavior as stated. Cognitive is about getting you to change how you think about a situation. The behavioral side helps you to change how you react to a situation. Generally this therapy is considered when autistic people develop other mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression.
Educational Services
504 Plan- A plan that is designed to help disabled kids to receive accommodations to ensure they have academic success.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) - Similar to a 504 plan this is a plan designed to help kids in school to have accommodations for their disabilities. Often IEP include specialized classes.
Early Intervention - Early intervention generally occurs between age 0-3. Studies have shown that early intervention can really benefit a kids development.
Special Education - Beginning at around 3 years old kids can enter a more specialized form of education designed to be more individualized and focused towards kids with disabilities. Generally they have smaller class sizes and the teachers have to go through classes specifically for this style of teaching.
Assistive Resources
Assistive Resource or Assistive Technology often falls into three categories. Low-Tech, Mid-Tech and High-Tech. Low-Tech is going to things that don't require electricity. Mid-Tech often are items that have a minimal fee for operation such as battery operated devices and videos. High-Tech is digital technology that often comes at a higher price.
Low-Tech Resources - Picture Communication Symbols (PCS), Communication Books
Mid-tech Resources - Go Talk Device (A device that can record phrases to be repeated by pressing on the symbols), Buttons with phrases
High-Tech - Tablet Applications, DynaVox Tablets (similar to a tablet but specifically designed for the purpose) , Tobii Eye Gaze (a device that uses cameras to track eye movement and translate them into words and symbols.)