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Why Speech Therapy is Beneficial for Children with Autism

Our success, both within our personal lives and in the professional realm, is often dictated by how we are able to communicate with those around us. After all, so much of our time is dedicated to social interaction and interpersonal relationships, even during the pandemic, when the majority of these interactions occurred behind the screen. However, for children with autism and related disorders, developing effective communication skills is harder than it would be for the average neurotypical person. In fact, it’s estimated that 40% of people with autism are nonverbal, with many others finding verbal or face-to-face communication difficult ( AutismSpeaks ) While no two people experience autism in the same way, those with autism or related disorders may face communication barriers such as: Difficulty developing language skills. Difficulty regarding comprehension or understanding what others are saying or why they might be saying it. Poor understanding of non-verbal communication skills, ...

How to Help Your Child With Autism Formulate a Routine

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  Having a routine in our daily life can prove to be highly beneficial. This is because it allows you to better manage and divide your time between work and your social life and develop  healthy and lasting habits . However, for children (and adults) with autism and related disorders, a routine can be invaluable due to the fact that it allows them to better manage their symptoms by providing them with a clear structure and a sense of familiarity. Therefore, while life can sometimes be unpredictable, you must make an effort to put together a daily routine that works for your child. Here are some top tips to get you started!  Put together a  weekly schedule  and display it clearly within your home. This way, your child can view their schedule at any time – and will know exactly what is expected of them each day.  Encourage your child to participate when putting together their routine, as this gives them a much greater sense of freedom and control. For example...

Why Do Children with Autism Benefit from Social Stories?

Children with autism often thrive in routine environments. When they know what to expect out of each day, they can prepare themselves accordingly. New situations, even “fun” ones, such as a playdate with a friend, are a clear deviation from the norm, which, for many, can therefore be challenging. Social stories  help to reduce their fears and anxieties surrounding this by taking the “unknown” out of the scenario. They provide them with a frame of reference that deepens their understanding of new social situations. As such, this can play a key role in encouraging children to broaden their horizons moving forward.

What Are The Goals Of Occupational Therapy?

  The goals of occupational therapy(OT) revolve around improving the quality of life of individuals by enhancing their abilities in various activities of daily living. The purpose of this type of therapy is to develop, recover, and maintain functional skills. This article outlines the goals of  occupational therapy  and how they help clients. Promoting Independence One of the primary goals of OT is to promote independence which refers to an individual’s ability to perform daily activities without relying on anyone else for assistance. Increasing Range of Motion and Strength Occupational therapy also aims to increase the range of motion and strength of their clients. This aspect is particularly important for individuals dealing with chronic conditions or recovering from an injury. Improving Fine Motor Skills Fine-motor skills are essential for performing everyday activities like holding a pen or pencil, writing, manipulating small objects, and tying shoelaces. Facilitating...

How to Encourage Creativity in Children with Autism

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  Creativity plays a huge part in our everyday lives. We see it in the TV shows we watch, the art we hang on our walls, and in the books we read. Furthermore, creativity plays an essential role in our personal development, especially within children. Being creative allows children to find new ways to express themselves, have fun, and grow in confidence. It can even brighten their future career prospects. Despite this, it is often implied that children with autism may lack creativity and imagination compared to their peers – this is untrue! In fact, children (and adults) with autism are often very creative, with many even pursing careers within the arts in later life. However, it is important to note that their creativity may manifest in different and unique ways, or they may find it harder to start being creative in the first place. This may mean that you need to find different ways to encourage creativity and imagination with your child. At Alee Behavioral, we specialize in provid...

What are The Lesser Known Symptoms Of ASD

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  Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, manifests itself differently in every person who has received a diagnosis. This is, in part, what can make diagnosis difficult – as the symptoms can be far-ranging and often overlap with other neurological conditions, such as Aspergers or even OCD. As a result, it is essential that parents seek not to armchair diagnose their children, but instead pay attention to some of the signs and symptoms of autism in different age groups so that they can ensure their child gets the support they need.   However, some symptoms of autism are less frequent than others. For example, around 40% of children receiving autism therapies have a language delay, making it one of the more common indicators for parents to keep an eye out for. Others may be harder to spot – or you may not even recognize them as a symptom whatsoever.   With that in mind, here are three lesser-known symptoms of autism. (Note: this blog should not be considered a method of d...

Why do Children with Autism and Related Disorders Tend to Struggle in Social Situations?

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Children with   autism and related disorders   may struggle in social situations because they tend to experience the world differently than their neurotypical peers. As such, they may not know how to accurately respond to specific social cues that other children seem to understand from an early age.