Definitions of Service Provider Types | ◄Go Back

A therapist trained in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, a scientific approach to understanding behavior, commonly and successfully used to teach children with autism spectrum disorders specific skills. Skills covered include communication, play, personal care and activities of daily living, attention, job skills, and productive participation in family and community activities, regardless of age. Key components of this method include the use of positive reinforcement, ongoing behavior assessments, teaching skills by breaking down into small steps, individually designed curriculum and opportunities for learning in structured and unstructured environments.

Tutoring or other educational services, not provided by a school, that supplement existing educational programming.

Programs focused on independent or supported living, vocation and other services that assist adults to live and work in their community

Programs designed to provide care for and educational enhancement to children in the hours immediately following school classes that accommodate children with special needs.

Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

Support Groups which advocate for the unique needs of children and adults with High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Services or support related to adaptive equipment to assist with daily living, mobility, communication, computer access, or home and workplace modifications

Caregivers that are familiar with the needs of children with Autism.

The role of the behavior specialist is to walk into a setting, observe the environment, the activities, and the person in question; to gather data about what seems to set off or calm difficult behaviors; to suggest appropriate changes and/or interventions; and to troubleshoot until the interventions are successful. Interventions may range from behavior charts with stickers and motivational rewards to changes in an environment that is creating sensory overload or undue frustrations.

BioCellular Analysis is an analysis of urine and saliva that applies the principles of fundamental biochemistry which relate to the elements that make up 97% of the human body. These test values are interrelated and reflect basic body chemistry alignment and body compartments (intracellular, extracellular, blood). They will indicate much sooner than blood chemistry what imbalances and early pathology is in progress. Correcting the abnormal foundational biochemistry will begin the process of restoring balance to the body, mind and spirit.
BioCellular Analysis tests the biochemical and electrical balance of the body analyzing the key health indicators to provide an in-depth look at the foundational biochemistry.

The following treatment types are the most commonly used biomedical approaches:

Many individuals that begin biomedical treatments for autism start with the gluten and casein free diet. Gluten is a component found in many grains including wheat and rye. Casein is found in all dairy products. Additionally, gluten and casein are also found in a wide variety of other foods. It is believed that individuals with autism have gastrointestinal issues that prevent the body from properly processing gluten and casein which leads to behavioral issues. Eliminating gluten and casein can eliminate the undesirable behaviors.

Studies have shown that individuals with autism are deficient in several key vitamins and nutrients. Methyl B-12, delivered via injection, is believed to bring glutathione to a normal level. Glutathione allows the body to detoxify from heavy metals and other toxic substances found in the body. If glutathione levels are low then the body is unable to detoxify sufficiently which leads to autistic-like behaviors. Regulating the glutathione rectifies this problem.

Another commonly used supplement is essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFAs, like Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids, are found naturally in the human diet. The standard American diet includes a disproportionate amount of Omega-6s so supplementing Omega-3s through the use of oil can prove beneficial; cod liver oil and flaxseed oil are two of the more commonly used EFAs.

Yeast overgrowth is believed to be a problem among those with autism who also have gastrointestinal problems. Yeast overgrowth can cause a variety of behavioral problems among the autistic population; allergies, inability to potty train, and eczema have all been linked to yeast overgrowth.

Summer camps, Winter Camps, after school and weekend activity programs for children and adults with autism.

Chiropractic care differs from many of the other therapies used with individuals with autism in that it is directed to the heart of the problem: the lack of homeostasis in the body, which can, in turn, produce a disease state. Treatments are directed to the imbalances in the nervous system which inhibit sensory processing. By directly affecting the nervous system, chiropractic care for children with autism can begin to change the many sensory integration issues by facilitating input into the organs and areas of the body involved in sensory integration, including the skin and the nervous system."

Centers that perform autism biomedical, clinical or applied research.

Cranial Sacral Therapy gently assists in improving the functioning of all systems of the body by removing restrictions that impair proper function and improve the flow of cerebral spinal fluid that helps to maintain an ionic balance for the propagation of action potentials for neural functioning. The system extends from the cranium to the sacrum. This vital system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord and all other systems of the body. The anatomical and physiological functioning of this system strongly influences proper functioning of the nervous system.

The DAN Protocol attempts to address biochemical irregularities in an individual. Through the use of dietary intervention, vitamin supplementation, digestive enzymes, probiotics and even intravenous chelation.

Dentists that serve children and/or adults with autism.

University or other clinical or hospital settings that have autism centers where families may have medical and other tests performed, as well as diagnostic evaluations.

An individual with training in the principles and interventions pioneered by Stanley Greenspan, MD, and Serena Wieder, PhD. Developmental Individual Differences Relationship-based (DIR) works with each child's underlying processing differences, teaching language and interaction through relationships and play and involves emotions as well as cognitive skills. It is commonly referred to as "Floortime" as therapy is play centered and can likely take place on the floor.

Employment support for persons with ASDs including job-finding support, interview support and employment support.

Miscellaneous support groups for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

From bowel movements that smell like vomit - to pain suffered during swallowing, many children with autism have bowel problems. Some might be obvious, some might be hidden from caretakers as a result of the autistic individual’s difficulties expressing (or even "processing") their pain. Testing for gastrointestinal problems might make a difference.

State and local agencies that may be helpful for families with loved ones with autism to contact.

Haircut providers that are familiar with the needs of children with Autism.

Healthcare services that do not fit into a specific service type

Hippotherapy, which derives from the Greek word "hippo" for horse, is a physical therapy that is provided under a physician's supervision. It is usually used as part of a comprehensive therapeutic package. This type of program has benefits for children, youth, and adults that have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Therapeutic Riding has many of the same benefits, but it is more of a recreational riding program for the disabled and does not usually involve a physician's supervision.

Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding use the horse's multidimensional rhythmic movement, which resembles the natural walking gait of human's, to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes. Therapists help patients ride the horse in different positions, including sitting or laying forward, backward, or sideways; standing up in the stirrups; and riding on the horse without holding on. Specially trained physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language therapists use this therapy with autistic children and teenagers and kids with a wide range of other types of disabilities.

Hippotherapy is useful for:

• relaxing tight muscles
• increasing balance
• building muscle strength
• sharpening hand/eye coordination
• gaining a sense of body-awareness
• gaining a sense of self-control
• gaining a sense of self-confidence
• improving communication
• improving concentration
• improving socialization
• improving patience
• improving fine motor coordination
• improving sensory integration

Attorneys or advocacy organizations who offer their services to families who have children with special needs.

Life skills groups focus on the acquisition of independent daily living skills.

Experts in autism behavior such as psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists or other licensed therapists

Music Therapy is particularly useful with children with Autism owing in part to the nonverbal, non threatening nature of the medium. Parallel music activities are designed to support the objectives of the child as observed by the therapist or as indicated by a parent, teacher or other professional. A music therapist might observe, for instance, the child's need to socially interact with others. Musical games like passing a ball back and forth to music or playing sticks and cymbals with another person might be used to foster this interaction. Eye contact might be encouraged with imitative clapping games near the eyes or with activities which focus attention on an instrument played near the face. Preferred music may be used contingently for a wide variety of cooperative social behaviors like sitting in a chair or staying with a group of other children in a circle.

Occupational Therapy focuses on the child’s “occupation”, which includes the developmental tasks involving their capacities to interact with people and objects which is required for their age group. Difficulties in the ability to interact with people and objects in their environment are noted to impact their performance in play, social relationships, learning, and activities of daily living skills. The areas assessed in occupational therapy include, however are not limited to sensory processing, motor control and emotional regulation.

Parent support groups that focus on the needs of parents of individuals affected by Autism.

Physical therapists intervene to address issues affecting the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Infants, babies, toddlers, young children and adolescents are evaluated for movement disorders, range of motion, posture, strength, muscle tone, balance, gross motor skills, mobility, and gait.

Pediatricians, neurologists, and psychiatrists who specialize in individuals with developmental disabilities.

Non-public schools that serve children and youth with autism- without a residential component.

Support Groups for Psychologists that work with the Autism population.

Public school districts.

Specialized care for adults on the Autism Spectrum that provides activities, special activities, special education, daily living and social skills.

Short term, temporary care provided for people with disabilities in order that their families can take a break from care giving. Respite services may sometimes involve overnight care for an extended for an extended period of time.

Scholarships and grants available for individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Seminars and training workshops related to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Sensory integration is defined as the disorganization of the multi-sensory input into the body. People who experience sensory integration problems have profound and often debilitating difficulty with touch, taste, smell, sound or visual input. Such sensory stimuli can be “noxious” to the a child with autism and often manifest in infancy as colic and in the older child as hyperactivity, the “inability to listen”, or unexplained behavior issues, especially in children who lack communication."

Uniquely trained service dogs may be placed with children living with autism and their families. The placement of a dog with the child enables the child and family to increase their mobility and socialization as a family, and the child individually. In most cases the dog accompanies the child at all times when the child leaves home. The dog goes to school with the child and the presence of the dog calms the child, reduces emotional outbursts and serves as a positive social link for the child to their home, school and community.

Nonprofit or private organizations that directly serve children and adults with autism. Services include: vocational and residential programs, etc.

Social Activities that are designed for children and adults affected by Autism to learn appropriate social behavior in the context of a group.

Small, adult-supervised groups designed for children to learn appropriate social behavior in the context of a group. Groups may be overseen by a variety of professionals with different backgrounds, including Speech and Language Pathologists, ABA Providers, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, School Psychologists and Guidance Counselors. Social skills therapy may consist of group activities that focus on game playing, sharing and conversation.

Speech Therapy covers a wide variety of services. State licensed speech and language pathologists offer traditional speech and language therapy in the areas of articulation, language, voice, and fluency.

Support Groups for Autism Service Providers

Support Groups for females with developmental disabilities

Transportation Services that are familiar with the needs of individuals with ASDs