Treating a Toddler with Autism – What to Expect
November 8, 2017 Speech & OT of North Texas

Treating a Toddler with Autism – What to Expect

Posted in Autism

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When your child gets diagnosed with Autism, it can be a confusing time. It is difficult to know where on the Autism spectrum your child may fall, and what types of things your child may struggle with. When your child needs help learning how to function within their limitations, occupational therapy can be a great resource to turn to. This form of customized therapy can help expand your toddler’s world, and give them a greater ability to handle things that fall outside of their comfort zone.

How Occupational Therapy for a Toddler with Autism Works

Treating Toddler with AutismIt is believed that more than 60% of children with Autism struggle with sensory processing. What this means is that each time a new sense is triggered, it puts information into your child’s tiny body without a way for your child to handle it. These triggers build up, and they cause a meltdown or problematic behavior in your child simply because they cannot handle any additional information.

What occupational therapy does is teach your child coping mechanisms. It teaches your child how to break down some of the information that gets put into their body, allowing them to decrease how quickly that overload hits them. It will not stop the overload entirely, but it will slow down how quickly it happens and give your child the ability to cope with disruptions in their day a bit easier.

What Your Child Can Get from Occupational Therapy for Autism

Aside from the ability to better cope with sensory information, your child with Autism can also get other benefits from occupational therapy. The more your child learns to cope with outside triggers, the more confidence you will begin to see. Plus, as your child becomes more confident, you will also get to see them growing in their independence.

Once your toddler begins to process their senses more readily, learning also becomes easier for them. So, once they pick up one new concept, they will be more likely and excited to pick up more new concepts. Each new concept makes learning and processing things easier, and allows them to progress towards having a life where sensory triggers are not as impactful for them.

If you want to get your toddler with Autism started with occupational therapy, contact the experts here at Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas. We can help you make life easier for your toddler by means of playing games.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]