Early Intervention Strategies for Children with Autism

Research shows that early intervention is key in child development, especially for students with special needs. This lesson provides
examples of early intervention strategies for students with an autism diagnosis.

Why Early Intervention?

Imagine being sent into a room with many people you don't know and lots of loud noises. People are trying to speak to
you and play with you but you just want them to leave you alone. There are toys everywhere and you don't know where to
start. It's really loud and other kids are running around and yelling, which causes you to cover your ears. You just want to
get out of the room because you want to be alone. Imagine feeling like no one else understands how it feels to be you.
This is what it can feel like to be a child with autism in a typical daycare or early preschool environment.

Daycare or early learning centers can be overwhelming for children on the autism spectrum. When a child has di culty
functioning with peers or responding appropriately to school-type settings, it's usually an indication that the child could
bene t from early intervention. Early intervention is a system of services provided for a child with developmental delays
or a disability before the child is school age.

When a child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or if it is suspected that the child is on the autism
spectrum, early intervention is recommended. Autism spectrum disorder is a wide range of disorders that are
characterized by di culty with social interaction and communication (both nonverbal and verbal) and behavioral issues.

Examples of Intervention Strategies

Since autism spectrum disorder has such a wide range of diagnoses, each child will have di erent needs and strengths.
Following are some examples of intervention strategies that are recommended for children with autism.

Speech/Language Therapies
The main goal of early intervention speech and language therapy is communication. Helping a child communicate in a
functional way will help the child feel more of a part of the world.

For children with autism who are nonverbal, a speech and language pathologist may use:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): This replaces verbal communication with symbols, pictures, or body
movements.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): This strategy helps the child learn to communicate using picture communication.

For children with autism who are verbal but have di culty with self-expression, a speech and language pathologist may
use:

Visual prompting

Scripts (to promote social interactions)

Computer-based instruction (using iPad or computer program)

Play Therapies
The main goal of play therapy is to teach the child how to play and interact with peers. Some examples of play therapy
strategies are:
/
 Social skills groups

Modeling appropriate play

Floortime Therapy: A play therapy strategy that uses a speci c child's likes and interests and builds upon it to create social
interactions and relationships

Occupational/Physical Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) can be recommended for early intervention when the child has di culty with ne motor tasks
or has sensory needs. Children with sensory needs are over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input. OT therapy can
help a child cope with sensory needs.

Physical therapy (PT) is sometimes recommended for early intervention when the child has di culty with gross motor
tasks, such as walking, jumping, and core strength.

Some strategies used by occupational and physical therapists are:

Feeding, dressing, and self-care skills

Sensory Integration Therapy

Using orthopedic equipment

Riding tricycles or other equipment

Behavioral Therapy
Behavior therapy is a very important part of early intervention for children with autism. A behavior specialist can help to
create a behavior plan for parents to use at home.

Following are examples of strategies used in behavioral therapy:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy: This is provided to create changes in behavior.

Discrete Trial Training (DTT): This one-on-one behavioral approach is provided to teach simple academic tasks.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This form of therapy teaches children how to regulate their own feelings and control impulses.

Lesson Summary
Early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder can be bene cial to the whole child. Providing speech
and language therapy, play therapy, occupational and physical therapies, and behavioral therapy at an early age
can help some children with autism learn strategies that will help them in the future.