When a child is diagnosed with autism, as a parent, you probably have many questions.
Some of the most common questions we receive from parents are: What does my child’s autism diagnosis really mean? What is early intervention and why does it matter? What does ABA therapy look like at Little Spurs Autism Centers? We sat down with some of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts to answer common questions for families. Ready to learn more?
What is ASD?
ASD refers to Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is a neurodevelopment disorder that impacts a child’s brain and can influence abilities related to learning, social functioning, and language. Clinicians such as neurologists, psychologists, and developmental pediatricians can all diagnose autism here in Texas.
There is a specific set of criteria that must be met before a child is officially diagnosed. A child is evaluated by a specialist through a process of observation. Clinicians will observe the child’s behavior, review their developmental history, and use standardized diagnostic tools such as the ADOS-2. Early diagnosis is crucial for accessing timely support and intervention.
What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention means that a child diagnosed with ASD will be provided with therapeutic services, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, Occupational Therapy, and/or Speech Therapy. Typically, early intervention takes place when the child’s brain is still developing in the early years of life, which is key to influencing how a child’s development and functioning will progress over time.
Early intervention makes it more likely that a child with ASD will experience positive outcomes during childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood. It can help children become more verbal, learn how to advocate for themselves, make friends, develop independence, learn self-help skills (such as dressing and toileting), improve emotional regulation, and strengthen daily living skills.
What Does Early Intervention Look Like for My Child?
ABA therapy at Little Spurs Autism Centers, including early intervention treatment plans, often looks like purposeful play while addressing each child’s unique developmental needs. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so every child receives a tailored plan created in collaboration with our team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and their therapy team.
Early intervention with ABA therapy often focuses on:
- Speech and communication skills – improving verbal language, nonverbal communication, and functional communication
- Social skills with peers – building relationships, turn-taking, and sharing
- Gross motor skills – developing larger muscle movements, coordination, and balance
- Fine motor skills – improving hand-eye coordination and skills needed for writing, feeding, or buttoning clothes
- Self-care and independence skills – dressing, toileting, eating, and personal hygiene
- Emotional regulation and coping strategies – learning to identify emotions and manage challenging situations
- Daily living routines – building consistency and confidence in everyday tasks
ABA therapy is one of the most widely used interventions for children with ASD. Our approach breaks complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps while reinforcing positive behaviors along the way, creating long-term benefits that extend across a child’s life. We focus on play therapy and natural environment teaching, if you would like to learn more about our program please contact us today.
