If your child has been diagnosed with autism, at some point you will be faced with what is likely to be your next biggest concern: what kind of therapy does my child need? Maybe your pediatrician mentioned ABA therapy, maybe another parent at the playground told you their kid is doing amazing with speech therapy. Now you’re wondering whether your child needs one therapy or five, and how you’re supposed to know the difference.
Here’s the good news: autism spectrum disorder treatments have come a long way in the past decades. It’s not just a guessing game anymore. There are proven, evidence-based approaches that genuinely help kids develop new skills, communicate better, and handle daily life with more confidence and independence. The tricky part is figuring out which therapies make sense to support your specific child and where you should actually start depending on if they have developmental delays or not.
Let’s walk through the most commonly recommended therapies after a childhood autism diagnosis and what each one actually does for your child.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy Treatment
There is no doubt that ABA therapy is one of the first things you will hear about when you start researching autism spectrum disorder (asd) therapy. Applied Behavior Analysis has been around for decades and has more research behind it than just about any other autism intervention out there. But what does ABA actually mean for your child? The goal is not to make kids sit at a table and follow commands all day long. The modern approach to ABA focuses on real-world skills that matter: communicating needs, playing with other kids, handling big emotions, and becoming more independent with everyday tasks like getting dressed or brushing teeth.
ABA therapists break big skills down into tiny, doable steps. For children who aren’t yet able to dress themselves independently, therapists don’t just say “get dressed.” They teach it piece by piece: grab the shirt, find the tag so you know which way is back, one arm in, then the other.
Each time your child gets a step right, they get encouragement and positive feedback. That’s what makes them want to keep trying.
At Scottsdale PBS, we work closely with our ABA therapists in order to create customized programs that meet the specific needs of each child: What they struggle with, what they’re already good at, and what motivates them. A single approach does not always work for everyone.
Speech Therapy: More Than Talking
A lot of parents think speech therapy is only for kids who aren’t talking yet. That’s actually a pretty common misconception. Speech-language therapy goes way beyond just getting your child to say words.
Some kids with autism are completely nonverbal and might never use spoken language as their primary means of communication. Others won’t stop talking, but they struggle with the back-and-forth rhythm of conversation. During a monologue, they may not even notice that their companion had checked out five minutes before. Other children may speak but have a hard time understanding what you’re saying to them, especially abstract concepts or figurative language.
For nonverbal children, speech therapists might introduce alternative communication methods like picture exchange systems or communication devices. It is not our goal to force every child to speak, but rather to enable them to express their needs, wants, and feelings. Being able to communicate, even without words, reduces frustration and behavioral issues significantly.
Therapy might focus on social aspects of language for children who do talk: how to take turns rather than dominate a conversation, reading someone’s tone of voice, how to read body language and facial expressions, and how to stay on one topic. Kids need these skills so they can make actual friends, not just exist alongside other kids at school.
Occupational Therapy: Making Daily Life More Independent
Occupational therapy for children might seem strange at first, but here, “occupation” just means the stuff kids do all day: getting up in the morning and getting dressed, eating breakfast without crying, playing with toys, and getting through the school day.
Many children with autism have sensory processing issues, making many aspects of everyday life challenging. Shirt tags might feel like sandpaper to some children; fluorescent lights at school might be physically uncomfortable. Sometimes other kids with autism are the opposite: they’re constantly spinning, jumping off furniture, or needing to touch everything they see.
Occupational therapists help kids figure out how to regulate these sensory needs so they’re not constantly overwhelmed or seeking stimulation in ways that disrupt their day.
OT also works on fine motor skills and coordination. An occupational therapist can help your child resolve challenges such as using scissors, buttoning a shirt by themselves, or tying their shoes.
These might seem like minor things, but they’re huge for a child’s independence and confidence. Nobody wants to be the only kid in second grade who still needs help getting dressed for gym class.
Why a Comprehensive Approach Works Best
Research and real-world experience keeps showing us that kids make the most progress when their therapies interact. The communication difficulties your child faces do not remain within the walls of the speech therapy room. They spill over into behavior: There is a very real frustration that comes from a child when he or she cannot express their needs, or when sensory issues make it hard for them to concentrate during learning time.
So treating just one piece of the puzzle in isolation is not an appropriate solution. The best outcomes happen when therapies are coordinated. When your ABA therapist knows exactly what communication goals your speech therapist is targeting, they can reinforce those same skills during behavioral sessions. Your occupational therapist may be able to incorporate behavioral goals into sensory activities if they actually know what those goals are.
The problem is that coordinating multiple therapists across different offices turns into a logistical nightmare for most families. Your schedule requires you to drive around town three or four days a week. It’s often your job to transfer, for example, the speech therapist’s notes to the ABA therapist. You’re managing a calendar that looks like a full-time job, and in a sense, it is. It’s common for therapists to never even meet each other, let alone collaborate on your child’s care.
Centers that offer multiple therapies under one roof make a real difference in this situation.
Convenience is certainly a factor. The fact that you don’t have to load your child in the car seat four times a week matters. But the bigger benefit is integrated care. Your child’s entire team is in the same building, often meeting regularly to discuss progress and adjust strategies together. That kind of coordination is nearly impossible to achieve when therapists are scattered across different practices.
How Scottsdale PBS Supports Your Child’s Therapy Journey
At Scottsdale PBS, we understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate therapy options after a childhood autism diagnosis. As a parent, you’re trying to find out what your child needs, how to fit therapy into your family’s schedule, and if you’re making the right decisions.
Our approach is straightforward: we offer ABA therapy, speech therapy as well as additional therapies and skills training, all in one central location right here in Scottsdale, with a dedicated team of therapists who communicate regularly about your child’s progress and needs. We start with a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s specific needs, then develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses their challenges while celebrating their strengths.
Don’t wait to get started. To learn more about Scottsdale PBS’ therapy services, contact us today to schedule an evaluation and find out how we can assist your child in achieving their full potential.
