Therapies
We started therapy with John Paul around 30 months. We didn’t get the official diagnosis until 40 months, but I could see that John Paul was regressing. Around 18 months, I noticed he wasn’t using words he had been using, he wasn't making consistent eye contact, or and he wasn't interacting like he had before. It was terrifying and seems to often be a recurring theme with ASD3 autistics, or what is considered severe autism. Autism is now rated by severity with a 1, 2 or 3. Autistics who cannot speak, are minimal speakers (say very little) or unreliable speakers (say words, phrases that seem random) are usually placed in the ASD3 category.
The interventions we have tried: ABA (applied Behavior Analysis), DIR Floortime, Occupational therapy, Speech and Language therapy (to work on speech and to work with an Augmentative Alternative Communication, AAC device), Physical therapy (briefly), Music therapy, Aqua therapy (therapy in the a swimming pool), Hippo therapy (horseback riding), Tomatis (a type of listening program designed to help rewire the brain), Nutrition, The Gluten Casein Free Diet (GFCF), western medication with a psychiatrist, Bio-medical intervention (with two different doctors) - including chelation therapy, Bio-feedback therapy, Social groups, Special fit (modified workouts), Automatic metronome, Fit lite, Neuro chiropractic therapy, Sensory integration therapy, Experimental therapy with bio-medical doctor involving a large magnet, Hyper-baric therapy (sitting in a hyperbaric chamber with my son for extended periods of time), Yoga, Rapid Prompting Method, Spelling to Communicate and Facilitated Communication. When you have an autistic who is “severe” you will try anything to help your child that you can afford, or that insurance, Medicaid, etc. will cover. John Paul benefitted from some therapies more than others. Parents tend to try every available or accessible therapy due to the inherrent desperation to help your child. The therapies that personally helped us the most focused on helping the brain-body disconnect, purposeful movement, integrating the sensory systems and using a letterboard for communication. Examples of the therapies that helped: Occupational therapyAqua therapyHippo therapyDir FloortimeSCERTS ModelSpecial fitArt therapyYogaMusic therapyFit LiteAutomatic metronomeRapid Prompting MethodFacilitated CommunicationSpelling to Communicate
We started therapy with John Paul around 30 months. We didn’t get the official diagnosis until 40 months, but I could see that John Paul was regressing. Around 18 months, I noticed he wasn’t using words he had been using, he wasn't making consistent eye contact, or and he wasn't interacting like he had before. It was terrifying and seems to often be a recurring theme with ASD3 autistics, or what is considered severe autism. Autism is now rated by severity with a 1, 2 or 3. Autistics who cannot speak, are minimal speakers (say very little) or unreliable speakers (say words, phrases that seem random) are usually placed in the ASD3 category.
The interventions we have tried: ABA (applied Behavior Analysis), DIR Floortime, Occupational therapy, Speech and Language therapy (to work on speech and to work with an Augmentative Alternative Communication, AAC device), Physical therapy (briefly), Music therapy, Aqua therapy (therapy in the a swimming pool), Hippo therapy (horseback riding), Tomatis (a type of listening program designed to help rewire the brain), Nutrition, The Gluten Casein Free Diet (GFCF), western medication with a psychiatrist, Bio-medical intervention (with two different doctors) - including chelation therapy, Bio-feedback therapy, Social groups, Special fit (modified workouts), Automatic metronome, Fit lite, Neuro chiropractic therapy, Sensory integration therapy, Experimental therapy with bio-medical doctor involving a large magnet, Hyper-baric therapy (sitting in a hyperbaric chamber with my son for extended periods of time), Yoga, Rapid Prompting Method, Spelling to Communicate and Facilitated Communication. When you have an autistic who is “severe” you will try anything to help your child that you can afford, or that insurance, Medicaid, etc. will cover. John Paul benefitted from some therapies more than others. Parents tend to try every available or accessible therapy due to the inherrent desperation to help your child. The therapies that personally helped us the most focused on helping the brain-body disconnect, purposeful movement, integrating the sensory systems and using a letterboard for communication. Examples of the therapies that helped: Occupational therapyAqua therapyHippo therapyDir FloortimeSCERTS ModelSpecial fitArt therapyYogaMusic therapyFit LiteAutomatic metronomeRapid Prompting MethodFacilitated CommunicationSpelling to Communicate