Our Autism Support Services in Northeast Kansas: Cognitive and Developmental Therapy Plus Early Intervention
All children need love and abundant stimulation for healthy emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Children within the autism spectrum need them with an intensity that surpasses the norm 24/7. Parents of these children know the exhaustion that comes from providing for a child who is seemingly stalled in the world of autism.
But there is hope where there is love! Sand Castles, Inc. offers compassionate autism support services in Northeast Kansas, sharing the Hope Approach for cognitive and developmental therapy with families who have children on the autism spectrum.
The Hope Approach
The Hope Approach for children with autism or Asperger's is three-fold, with increased intensity of interactions based on a cognitive developmental method. Expectation of development, understanding, and eye contact is rewarded by the very stimulation that the child seeks. Based on our autism support service experience, stimulation by touch, sound, or movement can begin to bring the child into the world beyond the seemingly shut, withdrawn world of autism.
One-on-one work in a bonded relationship provides the trust vital for the child to be willing to explore the world around him. Unconditional love forms the foundation of the Hope Approach.
Interpreter, Advocate, Protector, and Three-Fold Therapy
An interpreter, often a trusted parent, holds the key to opening the doors for growth, development, and progress toward more normal behaviors. But the interpreter is not a guarantee for outward success. Based on our autism support service experience, children can regress, withdraw, and shut down when normal life becomes too challenging.
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This is why the interpreter must also either find or be a strong advocate and protector. However, it is an enormous task to be the interpreter, the advocate, and the protector all at the same time. Seeking an educator, counselor, or legal representative to take on the role of advocate and protector is the best route, allowing the interpreter to focus on explaining life and its complexities to the developing child within the autism spectrum.
The three-fold Hope Approach involves the interpreter and the child in developmental, cognitive-based therapy with speech, occupational, and physical therapists.
The three-fold Hope Approach involves the interpreter and the child in developmental, cognitive-based therapy with speech, occupational, and physical therapists.
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Speech Therapy
In our experience providing mentoring for families dealing with autism, speech therapy cannot begin too early. Parents are the first key to language development. The expectation of clear, slow speech is the beginning. Just because a child does not mimic your words does not mean you quit talking. Talk, talk, talk. Language itself is the key. Repetition. Demonstration. Illustration. No matter what, talk to your child slowly and continually about the world around them. Speech will help draw them into your world.
A good speech therapist will help demonstrate to parents and siblings the necessary tasks they can do at home to encourage better communication development. It's a 24/7 therapy.
A good speech therapist will help demonstrate to parents and siblings the necessary tasks they can do at home to encourage better communication development. It's a 24/7 therapy.