Outside Interventions

By Isabella Abbinante

Intervention Description and Role of Service Provider
A speech-language pathologists (SLP) helps develop
Speech Therapy communication skills, such as having conversations
and understanding speech and language
The SLP introduces augmentative or alternative
communication tools
Occupational therapists (OT) helps individuals
participate in daily living activities, including play,
dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, and the ability
Occupational Therapy
to cope and work
The OT addresses motor, perceptional, or sensory
challenges through skill development, or by making
changes to factors in the environment
Physical therapists (PT) helps individuals understand
how and why functional movements take place, so
they can improve and maintain mobility, functional
Physical Therapy
independence, physical performance and their
overall health and wellness
PTs assist individuals with managing their physical
conditions and limitations/restrictions
These therapies use specialized, structured techniques
that help children improve social behaviours and
learn new skills. Techniques such as reinforcement are
Behavioural Therapies/
used to increase certain behaviours, or reduce
Applied Behaviour undesirable ones
Analysis (ABA) Behaviour consultants assess child development and
behaviour through parent interviews and at-home
observations. They design and implement the
behaviour plan of intervention to address challenging
behaviours, or develop certain skills
Behaviour interventionists (BI) also implement these
strategies that are outlined in the plan (they do not
design or adjust the intervention plans)
These interventions aim to enhance children’s
Developmental development by helping them form positive and
meaningful relationships with others, as well as learn
Therapies
social, communication and daily living skills
Supports for individuals with autism the emphasize
Family-based Therapies family involvement in therapy as central to meeting
developmental needs.
 Parents should play a key role in delivering therapies
and supports
Medications that are used to improve some of the
Medical Therapies difficulties faced by individuals with autism, for
example, anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders,
obsessive compulsive behaviours

References

Ministry of Child and Family Development. (n.d.). How to Choose the Right
Service Providers. Retrieved February 11, 2021, from
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-
health/child-behaviour-development/special-needs/autism-spectrum-
disorder/build-your-support-team/choose-the-right-service-providers

Raising Children. (n.d.). Therapies and supports for autistic children.

Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-
z-health-reference/types-of-interventions-for-asd