Recovery From Autism

Most parents that have a child with autism or related disorder are presented with the same treatment options over and over. While these programs and interventions do help, there are other non-traditional therapies that yield positive results and have the added benefit of a little fun!


Depending upon your child’s interest, you can find a professional to administer therapy related to that interest. Music therapy, art therapy, therapeutic horse-back riding, even surfing and swimming with dolphins are all alternative ways to teach and treat children with autism.

The differences between these and traditional therapy (speech, occupational and physical) may seem obvious; it’s the similarities that need to be discussed.

Let’s say your child is learning how to start conversations. During speech your child will work on forming words, expanding words into sentences, using appropriate greetings and will learn conversation starters. The exact same goals and skills can be worked on during any of the alternative therapies mentioned above. There is the similarity and one that is constantly misunderstood.

Many parents have the idea that only traditional therapy teaches traditional skills. Parents may wonder: Why in the world does my child need to learn how to surf? Perhaps he doesn’t, but if swimming, water and movement is enjoyable to them, can you think of a better motivator or reward? In this example, instead of earning a sticker on a speech therapist’s chart for ‘good talking’, your child will get to hop on a surf board and the ride the waves as a reward – what a significant difference.

This is why it is important to remember your child is a child first and the disability comes second. If a child is drawn to music, incorporate it in their programming. If you have an idea for alternative therapy but are unable to find a provider, consider contacting a professional in that field and explain your situation.

Parents are often presently surprised at the tremendous feedback received by non-therapists. A woman who offers private art lessons may be more then willing to work on talking or fine motor skills during lessons – in this case, you’ve taken a lesson or activity and modified to also provide therapy. The added bonus is your child will learn skills outside of therapeutic goals also.

Surprisingly, cost can be less then that of traditional therapy and alternative programs may be more available. Every provider will have their own fees, and if financing the therapy is a challenge, be sure to discuss alternate payment options with the provider. Perhaps you can volunteer to decrease cost, use a sliding scale, or refer others to off-set the out of pocket cost. Parents of children with autism are quite creative and innovative, and this situation is no exception.

Parents have also been able to incorporate alternative therapy approaches into mainstream educational settings. Simply put, if a child does well in art therapy, art projects should be used as reward, motivators and teaching tools throughout the child’s day. This is near common sense, as the more interested a child is in a topic, the more they will attend and contribute.

Autism affects every part of life and, as such, can limit social and recreational activities. This is one way to offer your child the best of both worlds and to make sure you’re always moving forward. Be creative and be persistent and you will find a niche your child fits in and loves. You never know, maybe you have the next Picasso sitting right in front of you.

More information about some of the most popular treatments can be fount at http://www.recoveryfromautism.com

Establish a routine and create healthy habits for your ADHD/High Functioning ASD child.

• Get out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off.
• Get fully dressed. pants, shirt, socks, and shoes before breakfast.
• Eat a healthy breakfast, take vitamins.
• Check backpack to make sure nothing is missing.
• Add lunch or make sure you have lunch money.
• Get to school on time and attend each class promptly.
• Sit near the front in each class, be attentive and respectful, ask questions, and take detailed notes.
• After school, go immediately to scheduled activity or go directly home.
• Eat a healthy snack after getting home and start homework.
• There is no TV or computer time until all homework is done.
• Homework is to be done at the kitchen table or in the library only.
• No iPod, music, phone, social networking, or texting is allowed while doing homework.
• After homework is complete and checked by a parent, you may have free time. When weather is nice, free time must take place outdoors until it starts to get dark or dinner is called.
• Screen time, television, computer, video games is limited to one hour, fifteen minutes each weekday, and two and a half hours per day on weekends.
• Extra screen time must be earned.
• Come in for dinner immediately when called.
• The family will eat together when possible. Each family member will wait for everyone to be finished before getting up from the table. Don’t ask to be excused without a good reason.
• Prepare backpack and select the next day’s wardrobe before bedtime.
• Set a non-negotiable bedtime during the week.
• Set an appropriate weekend and holiday bedtime, and allow extra time to be earned.
• Set a curfew that must be kept. No excuses!
• Set a time limit for phone calls, texting, and social media if applicable.
• Treat and speak to others with respect, and always clean up after yourself.
• Study for at least two days before a test.
• All projects will be completed a day before they are due.
• Sunday night from 8:00 to 9:00 is family meeting hour.
• Nothing else is scheduled during that time.
• Every Sunday each family member will write an action plan for the week.

Once you and your child have set real, actionable goals for the new school year, it’s important to give them guidelines to help them achieve their goals.