Autism is a developmental disability that affects 1 out of every 59 children in the United States. For children and their families, autism may cause challenges related to communication, behavior, and social interactions. At Solaris Pediatric Therapy in Houston, Texas, Yulene Broussard, OTR/L, MS, and the experienced therapy team use the DIRFloortime® approach to help children with autism develop the skills they need to manage daily activities and feel comfortable in their environments. To request a therapy evaluation for your child, contact the office by phone or online today.
Autism is a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates, interacts, behaves, and learns. The degree of disability varies significantly. Some children may require a lot of help, while others need very little.
Autism is a spectrum disorder and includes other conditions that used to be diagnosed separately, including autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder.
Children with autism tend to have difficulties with communication, social interaction, and behavior. Common symptoms may include:
Symptoms of autism generally present themselves when your child is around 18 months old. However, autism can be difficult to diagnose. If you or your pediatrician suspects your child has autism, you may be sent to a specialist for a formal diagnosis.
Getting an early diagnosis is essential, so your child gets the treatment they need.
Therapy is an important component of autism treatment and often includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. The team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy offers therapy services for children with autism to help both the child and their family.
DIRFloortime is the approach the team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy uses for children with autism. The approach is the developmental, individual-differences, and relationship-based (DIR) model and aims to promote healthy development so your child can reach their fullest potential.
At Solaris Pediatric Therapy, the DIRFloortime approach uses your child’s natural interests as a gateway to understanding their world and drawing them out into a shared world. By following your child’s lead, the team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy understands your child’s emotional viewpoint better, which is the first step in bringing your child from their insular world into the shared world.
Once your child is out in the shared world, the therapist introduces challenges to help your child master the fundamentals of relating, communicating, and thinking. The goal of autism therapy at Solaris Pediatric Therapy is to help your child be empathetic, creative, logical, and reflective.
To schedule a consultation with the experienced team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy, call the office or request one online today.
