Treatment & CarePediatricsConditions & TreatmentsPediatric AutismApproach to Treatment

Our Approach to Treating Pediatric Autism

little boy playing with toys Children's Specialized Hospital is dedicated to providing a comprehensive approach to treatment. Hospital personnel collaborate for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care for our patients.

Early Intervention (EIP)
Early Intervention services are provided primarily in the home for children from birth to three-years old who have developmental delays involving two or more of the following areas: cognition, language, fine motor, gross motor, social/emotional and self-care. No formal diagnosis is necessary to receive these services.

Feeding and Nutrition Therapies
These therapies coordinate specialized speech, occupational and/or psychological treatment for children who only eat a restricted range of foods or who have trouble with eating due to sensory, behavioral or motoric difficulties.

Medical
Pediatric medical specialists include developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, psychiatrists and physiatrists to help coordinate medical management.

Occupational and Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on helping kids participate in everyday life activities including play, eating, bathing, dressing; and participation in school, family and community functions. Therapists may also help address sensory issues which are common with autism spectrum disorder. Physical Therapy (PT) for kids with ASD often focuses on improving posture, alignment, breathing, strength and movement coordination and motor planning.

Psychology
Individual and family therapy services help improve child and adolescent behavior, mood management, sibling and family issues, reactions to the diagnosis, and/or advocacy issues.

Speech/Language
Services are provided to build the child’s ability to follow directions, understand language, communicate, take turns, have a reciprocal conversation, and/or improve nonverbal communication (such as eye contact and joint attention).

Social Skills Groups
Groups are available for kids ages five through adolescence with autism spectrum disorder who are high functioning. The groups focus on building peer friendships. Groups are typically run weekly for a series of weeks. Kids who participate in the social skills groups generally show significant improvement in social skills and reduction in problem behaviors. Dyads may be arranged for children with social concerns who are not ready for a formal group setting or whose functioning is more limited.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

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