Autism Treatment Guide: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Your child’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but this autism treatment guide is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and a clear action plan. At Cadabams CDC, we have spent over three decades helping families turn questions into progress. Below, you’ll find evidence-based options, practical tips, and the support pathways that thousands of parents have trusted.
Understanding Autism in Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental difference affecting communication, behaviour, and sensory processing. Early recognition is the first step toward effective intervention.
Common Early Signs
- Limited eye contact or shared smiles by 12 months
- Delayed speech or no two-word phrases by 24 months
- Repetitive motions such as hand-flapping or lining up toys
- Extreme reactions to sounds, textures, or routine changes If you notice three or more of these signs, consider a developmental screening as soon as possible.
Evidence-Based Autism Therapies
Choosing the right therapy can feel like navigating a maze. Below are the most researched and recommended approaches, all available under one roof at Cadabams CDC.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
ABA breaks skills into small, teachable steps and reinforces positive behaviour with rewards.
- Parent benefit: Measurable progress charts updated weekly
- Typical schedule: 15–30 hours per week across home and centre settings
Speech & Language Therapy
Speech therapists target articulation, social use of language, and alternative communication systems such as PECS or AAC devices.
- Best age to start: As young as 18 months
- Duration: 2–3 sessions per week, 45 minutes each
Occupational Therapy (OT)
OT helps children master daily tasks—dressing, eating, writing—while calming sensory overload.
- Core tools: Sensory diets, weighted blankets, fine-motor games
- Success marker: Child tolerates haircut or new shoes without meltdown within 8–10 weeks
Social Skills Groups
Small-group sessions teach turn-taking, reading facial expressions, and conflict resolution with peers of similar age and ability.
Creating a Supportive Home Environment
Therapy doesn’t end when the session is over. The following home strategies reinforce clinic gains every single day.
Daily Routines That Reduce Anxiety
- Visual schedules on the fridge
- Consistent bedtime sequence (bath, book, bed)
- “First-then” language: “First brush teeth, then story time”
Visual Supports
Picture cards, colour-coded calendars, and “stop-and-go” signs reduce frustration and increase independence.
Positive Reinforcement Tips
- Catch them being good: praise within 3 seconds of desired behaviour
- Use token boards: 5 stars = 10-minute tablet time
- Rotate rewards to prevent boredom
Navigating School and Educational Support
Schools are legally required to provide free and appropriate education. You are your child’s best advocate.
IEP vs. 504 Plan
| IEP (Individualised Education Plan) | 504 Plan |
|---|---|
| Offers specialised instruction | Offers classroom accommodations |
| Requires formal evaluation | Needs medical documentation |
| Annual review mandatory | Reviewed every 3 years |
Working with Teachers
- Share your child’s latest behaviour plan before term starts
- Request a quiet corner or noise-reducing headphones
- Ask for pre-warning before fire drills to prevent sensory overload
How Cadabams CDC Supports Families
We believe parents deserve a partner, not just a provider.
Our Multidisciplinary Team
- Child psychiatrists for medical management
- Board-certified BCBAs for ABA oversight
- Speech and occupational therapists under one roof
- Special educators who liaise directly with schools
Personalised Treatment Roadmaps
Every child receives a 12-month goal sheet with quarterly reviews. Goals are broken into monthly micro-targets so you can see progress in real time.
Parent Training Workshops
Free monthly sessions cover topics such as toilet training, picky eating, and handling meltdowns in public. Childcare is provided on-site so you can focus fully on learning.