Autism Washington DC & Arlington VA

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At Skills on the Hill, we know that each child with autism is unique. Treatments and supports that work for one child may not work for another. As a result, each child’s treatment plan should be individualized. Working with our pediatric therapists can help your child with autism develop many skills required for daily life.

Autism is a neurological disorder and individuals can present very differently from one another. It is common for individuals to have challenges with social skills, demonstrate repetitive behaviors, and have speech and nonverbal communication impairments. In addition, it is also common for children diagnosed with autism to present with sensory and motor challenges.

At Skills on the Hill, we use a strengths-based model in our work with children who have a diagnosis of autism. We accept children for who they are and use a neurodivergent-affirming approach to care. Our team of therapists prides themselves on focusing on inclusion and advocacy for their clients.

Children on the autism spectrum can face a range of challenges in school and daily life. If you’d like to know more about how Skills on the Hill can support your child with autism, contact us to request a free screening today!

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Goals of pediatric therapy for autism

Depending on their needs, children who have autism can receive a broad range of therapies. This may include a combination of speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training and sometimes feeding therapy.

In addition, parents may receive training on how to work with their children at home. Ideally, parents, teachers, and therapists all work together to integrate their approaches across the child’s daily life for consistency and success across settings.

As a Skills on the Hill parent, you’ll be given helpful guidelines and tasks to work on with your child at home. Parents and therapists working together as a team for a comprehensive treatment plan will maximize a child’s progress.

Some of the areas of focus of therapy may address:

Pragmatic Language Therapy:

Speech-language therapy will work on conversational speech and vocabulary, nonverbal communication, and practicing “social language” skills with other people in natural situations (peers, staff in the environment, family members).

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC):

AAC can occur in the form of low-tech or high-tech supports. For example, it may involve the use of pictures or signs to develop simple support communication, but can also involve very high-tech programs or devices that “talk” for the child who might not have the ability to speak independently.

Sensory Integration Therapy:

Sensory-based treatment focuses on helping a child to process sensations without difficulty (smells, touch, sight, sound, smell, movement) when participating in daily tasks. It also involves using sensory information for motor-based tasks such as pumping a swing, writing, and moving the body through a room without bumping into objects. Sensory processing can also impact attention and arousal needed to participate in social activities, to get through a school day, and tolerate being in unfamiliar places/settings.

Physical Therapy:

Physical therapy can target underlying strength and stability to support children with low muscle tone master balance, coordination, and age-appropriate gross motor skills.

Over time, as your child learns new skills and can function more independently and efficiently, their therapy program will be modified. Rest assured that your child will receive the utmost care and attention from our therapists. We’re here to help support them on their journey toward learning and growth!

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Call Our Clinic Today!

If you’d like to request a free screening at our Washington, DC or Arlington, VA clinic, or begin therapy for your child who has been diagnosed with autism, call our office today to get the process started!