Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a diagnosis that describes significant social, communicative, and behavioral challenges. People with autism handle information in their brains differently than their peers.

Autism affects each person in different ways, symptoms ranging from mild to severe. People with autism share some similar symptoms, such as problems with social interactions, difficulties with communication, and repetitive/stereotypical behavior.

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Should my child get evaluated?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted/repetitive interests/behaviors. The manifestation of such symptomatology can vary depending on a child’s age and developmental level.

Deficits in social communication may include:

Delayed language acquisition
Difficulties with non-literal language or sarcasm
Odd use of language, such as repeating what others may say or repeating lengthy scripts from television or news programs
Poor eye contact
Limited use of gestures
Reduced interest in social interaction or play with others
Difficulties with social/emotional reciprocity

Restricted/repetitive interests/behaviors may include:

Excessive or odd interests
Repetitive motor mannerisms such as hand flapping, finger posturing, or body rocking
Sensory sensitivities (e.g., light, texture of foods or clothing, noise)
Repetitive play such as lining up toys, spinning objects, sorting or stacking objects
Intense interest in parts of objects
Difficulties transitioning from one activity to another
Difficulty with changes in routine
Rigid behaviors
Hypo or hypersensitivity to pain
Self-injury such as head banging

Why NSPT?

It takes a village to raise a child.

That’s why we believe on an “all hands in” approach to treatment. We are the only center in Illinois that combines six disciplines in order to provide the most effective interventions for your child and your family.

Neuropsychology for diagnosis and testing
Occupational Therapy for your child’s sensory needs and motor development
Physical Therapy for gross motor functioning
Speech-language Therapy for your child’s language development including expressive, receptive, and social language
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for intensive behavioral intervention
Mental Health for specific socialization goals as well as working with parents

If you are concerned that your child may be on the Autism Spectrum, or if you have already started therapy, but are seeking better results, North Shore Pediatric Therapy can help.

What will treatment look like?

Get a Neuropsych Evaluation
An autism spectrum diagnostic evaluation consists of a comprehensive evaluation examining a child’s overallfunctioning. This can include an evaluation of a child’s cognitive, academic, language, attentional, motor, behavioral, and social-emotional functioning. A child’s family will first participate in neuropsychological testing, whereby information regarding the child’s overall functioning will be collected. After the initial meeting, a child will then participate in formal testing involving various assessment measures in order to provide clinical information regarding diagnostic clarification. Additionally, the child’s parents and academic team (if available) will fill out report forms to provide in-depth information regarding the child’s social, emotional, behavioral, and attentional functioning in the home and classroom setting.

Following the evaluation, the family will meet with us to review the results of the testing, and discuss treatment recommendations. The feedback meeting with parents will also serve as a framework for creating specific and practical interventions and accommodations within the home and school environment.

The neuropsychologist will conduct follow-up evaluations every six to 12 months (depending on concerns) in order to monitor progress from the various interventions, as well as help craft additional interventions and accommodations that would prove beneficial.

Start your treatment in ABA
Under the supervision of a BCBA, behavior therapists will come into the home and implement child-specific programming created from each child’s skill and behavior assessment. Skills and appropriate behavior are taught through discrete trials and natural environment programming. We work with parents on a consistent basis and teach them strategies and skills to promote a successful, fun, and healthy home environment.
Branch out into other disciplines
At the clinic, we use a multi-disciplinary approach where all disciplines are able to work together to teach skills most effectively to work on speech, motor skills, social skills, living skills, transition skills, and planning skills.

Interested in our services?

Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Should my child get evaluated?

Deficits in social communication may include:

Restricted/repetitive interests/behaviors may include:

Why NSPT?

What will treatment look like?

Get a Neuropsych Evaluation

Start your treatment in ABA

Branch out into other disciplines

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