Expert Services | Autism Therapy & Parent Support

Occupational Therapy

OT supports autistic children and adolescents in succeeding with daily activities by enhancing regulation, sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, as well as planning, play, social-emotional development, and everyday skills.

Each child’s OT goals and therapy program is personalized, reflecting their individuality.

Skills that may be worked on are:

• Functional emotional development
• Internal body awareness (Interoception*) How we perceive what's happening inside our bodies and what that means for our health.
• Motor skills and motor planning
• Postural control
• Regulation (moving from adult co-regulation to self-regulation)
• Sensory modulation

Speech Language Therapy

SLT focuses on improving understanding and communication using a strengths-based approach. Sessions typically target language skills, social problem-solving, and comprehension.

While SLT concentrates on enhancing an individual's communication skills, our clinicians are also available to provide guidance on how to communicate with others about the best ways to accommodate and support your child’s communication profile. Methods for communicating beyond traditional approaches are included while honoring preferred communication modes.

We believe in improving communication skills—both comprehension and expression—while helping kids become more confident participants, learners, and friends.

Emphasis may include:

• Apraxia* A rare disorder that affects the brain's ability to plan and coordinate speech movements
  Source: Childhood apraxia of speech - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
• Articulation and phonological challenges
• Auditory and language processing
• Gestalt language processing support
• Language-based learning differences
• Modes of communication that best work for an individual, including AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) programs and devices
• Neurodivergent friendly social pragmatic work

Mental Health Therapy

Mental health is crucial for any individual, and healthy emotions and safety are at the core of optimal development for the whole family. Our model emphasizes building connections and tailoring emotional support to create a safe environment that fosters growth and healing.

This therapy is centered around the science of *neuroplasticity. Your brain’s ability to absorb information and evolve to manage new challenges
Source: What Is Neuroplasticity? How It Works (clevelandclinic.org)

When a child feels safe and connected, their brain can develop and improve. Using activities that match their interests helps keep them engaged and supports their growth in social, emotional, and intellectual areas.

Mental health therapy may include other team members such as:

• Individual child/adolescent psychotherapy (both play therapy and talk therapy)
• Parent/child therapy and family psychotherapy
• Parent consultation
• Professional consultation to schools (both early childhood and elementary/high school)
• Psychoeducational therapy
• Social-emotional groups