The early months and years of a child’s life are often the most challenging and exciting moments for parents. For those experiencing an autism diagnosis, their lives change overnight. Expectations, hopes, and dreams for their child shift as new expectations and challenges arise. Early intervention programs can make a huge difference in a child’s autism journey and ease parents’ stress. While early childhood learning is crucial for developing all young brains and bodies, children with autism usually respond exceptionally well to early intervention therapy programs. These programs help develop verbal and nonverbal language skills, social skills, life skills, and a better understanding of the outside world. Early intervention programs can even help some children move off the autism spectrum later in life.
If you are looking for early intervention autism therapy programs in New Jersey, contact EMIT. Our early intervention telehealth therapy programs serve parents and children ages 1.5 to 18 from the comfort of home. Learn more about early intervention and other programs by calling us today at 844.983.0240.
What Is Early Intervention Therapy for Autism?
Early intervention therapy programs help toddlers on the autism spectrum develop learning milestones. Children typically develop language, cognitive, and motor skills at a specific rate in these early years. Autism can slow or disable some of these skills. Early intervention therapy meets a child where they are in development and helps families support skill development with in-home therapy and practice tools. During these first few years of life, a child’s brain is more “plastic” or changeable. This plasticity and rapid growth rate of the brain in the early years of life allows for autism skills training to turn into natural habits.
For many, engaging in therapy when the brain is still very changeable can significantly minimize autism symptoms in adulthood or allow them to grow off the spectrum completely. Early intervention therapy creates success stories through family-minded holistic, consistent practices. These practices may include:
- Speech therapy
- Mirroring games
- Word and picture games
- Nutrition counseling
- Physical therapy
- Family therapy
Most early intervention success stories focus on training a child’s lack of mirroring skills. Through mirror training, children learn social cues and develop verbal and nonverbal skills to better engage with the world around them. Early intervention can be the key to supporting the whole family through a child’s autism journey. It prepares a child with autism for a relatively normal, independent adulthood.
Is ABA Therapy The Standard In Early Intervention?
Many types of autism therapy exist, but the standard in current success is applied behavioral analysis (ABA). ABA uses a rewards system to mirror train good behavior while ignoring less desired behavior. This practice works best when a child is in the formative years of life. These children receive play, snacks, a book, or tv show to reward growth behavior. ABA is practiced around the world with high rates of skill retention and success through early intervention.
Other treatments also focus on repetition and play. However, the common theme in any successful early intervention program is the coupling of play and repetition. For many parents, this can feel arduous and unending. Watching a young child’s growth progress through early intervention, however, is priceless. Early intervention therapy is also the perfect time for parents to engage with play, set routines, and focus on small successes in their own life. The most successful early intervention comes from strong in-home practice mirroring parent and family member’s behavior.
Seek Treatment for Your Child at EMIT
Finding the right early intervention program can be overwhelming. Knowing that autism training is never just one therapist or program but rather a support network of therapies can help parents find the tools that best fit their child’s needs. At EMIT, we use holistic telehealth therapy from the comfort of home. Our programs range from early development to supporting teens anywhere on the autism spectrum. If you and your family are ready for early intervention support or want to learn about our other programs, contact us online or at 844.983.0240.
