In case you are a parent or caregiver of a child With autism, you may have wondered about the right ways to support your kid by all means.
Certified therapists can help children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or other neurological conditions to learn, grow, and connect with the world around them.
Early intervention strategies are really helpful for children with autism and special conditions to reach developmental milestones.
Let’s figure out how early intervention in Dubai can make all the difference for your kid and the best early intervention strategies that can actually work for Autism.
Early Intervention in a Nutshell
The simple rule is – the better the results, the earlier you start. According to studies, children who received early intervention made remarkable improvements concerning their ability to communicate or adapt to new environments.
Early therapeutic intervention means supporting a child as soon as a delay in their development or even indications of autism are observed. It is acting early enough when the brain is fast developing to build in key skills that can last through a lifetime.
For children with autism, early intervention can do these things:
- Improve communication and social skills.
- Reduce behaviors that interfere with learning.
- Foster independence and confidence.
- Proven Early Intervention Strategies That Work
Here are some strategies that have been proven to work:
Speech and Language Therapy
Communication is the largest problem for children suffering from autism. Speech and language therapy tries to teach the child the ability to communicate by conveying, understanding others, and forming meaningful relationships.
Through such techniques as picture cards, sign language, or visual aids, communication becomes easy and more interesting.
Verbal and non-verbal skills will be improved through this approach, such as looking up to make eye contact or pointing to communicate wants.
These small yet meaningful improvements can open new ways in which children can relate to their families and peers over time.
Tailor-made programs make sure that the treatment goes along with your child’s unique communication style.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
ABA therapy teaches correct/desired behaviors and reduces problematic behaviors and self-harm tendencies. For example, a child can be taught step-by-step how to brush their teeth. For each attempt to brush the teeth, there would be a reward. This simple yet powerful technique reinforces the desired behaviors while discouraging the problematic behaviors.
ABA is not a one-size-fits-all approach – so, customization is 100% possible according to the needs and goals of every child.
ABA therapy is a flexible approach and can be used in any place like a clinic, home, or school and the exercises or activities can be easily integrated into daily activities.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is again a useful early intervention strategy for children with autism – helping them perform the daily activities of living. They learn these skills by engaging in play and other adaptive ways.
Occupational therapy helps children with autism with fine motor, gross motor, visual skills, communication, problem-solving, and more.
Sensory Integration Therapy
Children with autism have many sensory sensitivities. And, Sensory integration therapy helps them process sensory input better.
Activities such as swinging, playing with textured toys, or listening to soothing music can help children become comfortable in their environment. These activities are meant to gradually introduce children to sensory stimuli while being controlled, so the child will gradually become accustomed to them.
Play-Based Learning
Children learn best by playing. Play-based learning offers a structure to facilitate play that fosters social, motor, and problem-solving skills in children.
Simple games with building blocks, puzzles, or pretend play encourage interaction and creativity. Play-based learning also helps kids understand social cues, for example, taking turns and sharing in a low-stress environment. Therapists here use the child’s interests to design activities.
Involving Parents
Being a parent is very important because you take part in your child’s development process. Therapists will involve you or caregivers in the therapy sessions and make you understand what to do at home and how to implement it as strategies in everyday activities for their growth.
Furthermore, by being actively involved, you also develop a stronger emotional bond with your child, which makes them feel more confident and secure.
How Do You Begin Early Intervention?
Early intervention does not have to be overwhelming. Here are some steps to you can take:
Talk to a developmental specialist to understand the needs of your child.
Find a prestigious early therapy center in Dubai for best therapy options such as speech therapy, ABA, or occupational therapy.
Focus on small, achievable milestones. Progress takes time, but each step forward matters.
Routine practice and reinforcement of strategies lead to better outcomes.
Celebrate! Any little win is a step toward a brighter tomorrow.
If you have any questions related to early intervention or how to start, or where to find help, our board-certified therapists are here to answer!
Visit our official website! Or, schedule an appointment today!
