Category: Blog

Children with autism often have difficulty with nail cutting. The process can be daunting and even painful for them. However, there are some things that you can do to make it easier.

 If you have a child with autism and nail cutting is an issue, try these helpful tips.

 

Why Is Cutting an Autistic Child’s Nails So Difficult?

There are a few reasons why cutting an autistic child’s nails can be difficult. First, many children with autism have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

This means they are hypersensitive to touch and noise. The sensation of having their nails cut can be overwhelming for them.

 But even if a child with autism doesn’t have SPD, the sounds and touch associated with nail cutting can still be upsetting. What’s more, many children with autism simply don’t see nail cutting as necessary. 

In addition to these factors, it’s understood that most typically-developing children find nail trimming unpleasant, making the task even more difficult for parents of children with autism.

 

Tips on Cutting a Child’s Nails with Autism

Now that you have a better understanding of how autism can affect your child getting their nails trimmed, here are some tips on cutting them:

• Try Starting Slowly to Build Up Their Tolerance: Start with just one finger and cut a very small amount off. Your goal is to get them used to the process and not overwhelm them.
•  Don’t Turn Cooperation Into a Big Deal: Just because they let you cut one nail doesn’t mean they’ll let you do them all. Take your time and go slowly.

 Moreover, you want this process to be a normal thing, not a big deal.

•  Make Sure You Are Both in Comfortable Positions: This will help both of you feel more relaxed. If they’re comfortable, they’re more likely to cooperate.
•  Help Them Understand the Process: Let them know what you’re going to do before you start. By helping a child with autism understand what’s happening, you can make the experience less overwhelming for them.

• Explain the Importance: Children with autism can be very literal. If you tell them that long nails are dangerous and can hurt people, they’re more likely to understand why this needs to be done.
•  Try Massaging Their Hand: As discussed, touching can be an issue for children with autism. A gentle hand massage can help them relax and feel more comfortable with you touching their hands. 

• Try the Right Equipment: You may need to experiment with different types of nail clippers to find the ones that work best for your child. Remember, some children with autism are sensitive to certain sounds. 

So you may want to get clippers that don’t make much noise. You may also want to try electric clippers, as they can be less daunting than traditional ones. 

• File First and Work Your Way to Cutting: If your child is really resistant to having their nails trimmed, you can try filing them down first. Once they’re used to that, you can then move on to cutting. 

• Try Distractions Like Toys and Videos: If your child is fixated on something, you could use that to your advantage. If they’re watching a video or playing with a toy, it can provide the perfect opportunity to trim their nails. 

• Try When They Are Sleeping: This may be the best option if your child is really resistant to having their nails trimmed. If they’re asleep, they won’t be able to fight you, and you can quickly get the job done.

 

Nail Clippers That Your Autistic Child May Prefer

As we touched on above, the nail clippers you choose for your autistic child can make all the difference in how they respond to getting their nails cut. If you’re not sure what type of nail clipper to get, here are a few that your autistic child may prefer:

 

360-Degree Head for the Right Angle

The 3-in-1 Nail Clippers come with a unique 360-degree head that helps you cut your child’s nails at the right angle every time. This is important because it can help prevent ingrown nails and other nail issues.

 

Sharp Blades for a Clean Cut

The blades on these nail clippers are also extremely sharp, so you can make sure your child’s nails are being cut cleanly and evenly. This is a vital feature, as it can help prevent nail trauma and pain for your child.

Sharp blades also mean quieter cutting, which can be beneficial for children with autism who are sensitive to noise.

 

Precision Spin Snips

The precision spin snips on these nail clippers are specifically designed to help you make clean, precise cuts, thereby reducing the risk of your child’s nails being cut too short or unevenly.

What’s more, you can cut nails at difficult angles for greater convenience and comfort.

 

Toe Nail Clippers and File

Along with the nail clippers are toe nail clippers and a file. This is helpful because it gives you everything you need to take care of your child’s nails in one convenient package.

The file can also be used to smooth out any sharp edges on your child’s nails after they’ve been cut.

 

Electric Filer

This type of nail clipper is actually a battery-operated Electric Filer. It features a rotating filing head that files the nails instead of cutting them. This can be a good option for children who are sensitive to the sound of traditional nail clippers.

 

Six Grinding Heads

The electric filer has six different grinding heads that can be used to file the nails down gradually. Moreover, each head features varying degrees of coarseness, so you can start with a coarse head and then move to a finer one.

If you recall from our discussion above, this can prove to be a huge benefit for some children with autism.

 

Rather than having the nails cut all at once, the grinding heads allow you to file them down gradually. It’s an effective way to reduce the anxiety and sensory overload that some children experience.

 

Nail Clipper with Light

The built-in light illuminates the area you’re working on, so you can see exactly what you’re doing. Many parents find that this is extremely helpful, especially when their child is squirmy.

 

Highly Portable Design

Thanks to a replaceable battery, you don’t have to worry about cords getting in the way and making the nail-trimming experience more difficult than it needs to be.

Conclusion

With a little patience and understanding, you can help make nail-cutting time a breeze. Just remember to go slowly, be gentle, and use the tools that work best for your child. With a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time.

 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey, or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

 

Children with autism tend to struggle with sensory issues and problems.

In this article, we go over all that you need to know about autism, sensory processing disorder, and how the two interrelated conditions affect children.

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that typically impacts a child’s learning capabilities and attentiveness to details.

The disorder also affects the way in which children react to changes in their surroundings and environment. This includes when someone calls the name of a child with autism or alters the noise/light levels in the room.

Children may run into difficulties when they socialize and/or communicate due to their learning and sensory issues.

What is sensory processing disorder?

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) has an effect on a patient’s senses (for instance, their hearing, vision, and smell).

The condition impairs sensory processing, which is how a patient’s brain observes and, after that, reacts to new sensory information. 

More specifically, SPD compromises the sensory processes that are responsible for a person’s behaviors and motor skills (such as their ability to walk, stay balanced, and coordinate their movements).

The disorder impacts these processes’ various components, as well.

The 8 Components of Sensory Processing

The following are the eight different components of sensory processing (while five of them are very commonly known, the other three are still crucial):

• Hearing
• Seeing
• Smelling
• Tasting
• Touching
• Interception: This component allows a person’s brain to comprehend internal activities and feelings that are inside the body. For example, hunger, thirst, and pains like stomach aches.
• Proprioception: Where the brain is fully in sync with bodily movements and positions, such as raising one’s hand.
• Vestibular Function: Under this component, the inner ear and brain jointly regulate eye movements, physical balance, and how the mind relates the body to the objects and items that surround it.

It is important to remember that there are two forms of sensory processing issues, and each of them could affect any of these eight components. 

The 2 Types of Sensory Issues

Understanding sensory processing disorder and the issues that children may have entails learning about hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.

The two types mainly differ in terms of how high or minimal the kids’ sensitivities are. Either way, both of them impact how they behave, play, get dressed, react to changes, and more.

Here is a breakdown of each:

1. Hypersensitivity

The first type makes children extremely sensitive to things that stimulate them, and this can lead to challenges that influence their daily habits and tendencies. As an example, a child who is hypersensitive to taste could be selective about what they eat.

Similarly, children with sound sensitivities might quickly become bothered around loud household appliances, music, and/or sudden noises. When socializing, they would rather spend time in quiet places with small amounts of people.

It is also common for hypersensitivity to cause balance and coordination problems and a low pain tolerance (one feels pain relatively easily).

Here are a few more signs that a child may have hypersensitivity:

• When they play with their classmates and friends, they become overly anxious about someone touching or bumping into them.
• On the playground, they stay clear of swings and games that stimulate their vestibular functions and senses of proprioception.
• The child catches sounds and noises that those around them didn’t notice.
• Tight or scratchy clothing makes them very uncomfortable.
• They greatly value their personal space and are annoyed by hugs/kisses.
• dislikes bathing, hair-brushing and/or nail cutting

2. Hyposensitivity

Hyposensitivity, meanwhile, reduces a child’s sensory stimulation. For instance, their pain tolerance could be relatively high, and they might unintentionally get too aggressive when playing or damage their belongings as they use them. 

Some children with hyposensitivity may frequently bump into walls, furniture, and household objects. Occasionally, kids will feel items with their hands and/or mouths in order to stimulate their sense of touch.

The following are additional symptoms that children with hyposensitivity usually experience:

• They like to jump on and bump into people and objects, which can put them at risk of hurting themselves and their friends/classmates.
• The child regularly touches items and other kids on the playground.
• Not only do they get stimulated by noises, but children with hyposensitivity might act in excessively loud ways.
• They chew on their clothing.
• Their personal space isn’t well defined. For instance, a child could stand in very close proximity to people during a conversation.

Some children display the signs of both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity in separate situations, such as at home and at school.

Just as important is that the two types of SPD may accompany other conditions, including ASD.

Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder

SPD is prevalent among more than 80% of children with autism. It should be noted, however, the majority of kids with SPD aren’t diagnosed with autism.

With that being said, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) doesn’t consider SPD to be a mental disorder, in its own regard.

Instead, DSM-5 treats sensory features as a diagnostic criteria for autism. In other words, it lists hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity among the main repetitive behaviors that characterize ASD.

To clarify, DSM-5 is seen as a general manual for mental health and psychiatry professionals across the U.S.

This means that therapists and practitioners who are trained and licensed to work with children with ASD can address their SPD symptoms.

Therapy for ASD and SPD

The most prominent treatment for ASD is applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. SPD is treated via occupational therapy.

Here at Golden Care ABA, our licensed and experienced therapists will design a targeted therapeutic program that revolves around your child’s individual circumstances.

This includes creating a plan that takes their hypersensitivity and/or hyposensitivity issues into consideration and allows them to refine their social and communication skills.

In short, by working with the licensed and trained therapists at Hidden Talents ABA, your child will be able to manage both their ASD and SPD symptoms through a single treatment program.

 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

If you’ve ever struggled to maintain calm while watching your toddler meltdown, you might have an inkling of the anxiety caused by the aggressive outbursts of children with high-functioning autism. 

This article will look at the link between high-functioning autism and aggression and discuss solutions to make life easier for all involved.

Autism and Aggressive Outbursts

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Although people with ASD can be high-functioning, many still experience significant challenges in daily life. 

High-functioning autism is not a medical term, but it has been used to describe people with autism who can speak, read, write and manage basic life skills. However, these people may still have difficulty with social interaction and communication. 

In the past, children and adults with high-functioning autism were diagnosed as having Asperger’s syndrome, but recently this condition has been organized under the autism umbrella.

This means that those children and adults with Asperger’s or high-functioning autism are now medically categorized as having ASD Level 1. 

Some people with high-functioning autism can become aggressive, especially if they feel overwhelmed or frustrated. This can be a problem in school or work settings where there is a lot of social interaction. It can also be a problem in relationships.

Interestingly, while neurotypical boys tend to exhibit more instances of aggression than neurotypical girls, this is not the case for children with ASD. As it turns out, boys and girls on the spectrum are equally prone to aggressive behaviors.

Let’s look at the forms of aggression often experienced by children and families affected by high-functioning autism.

Forms of Aggression

Children with autism can exhibit aggression in many ways. It is important to remember that if you have a child with autism, they do not mean to be harmful to themselves or others; they simply don’t know how to express themselves more productively when they are overwhelmed or anxious. 

In other words, they lack the strategies and tools to identify why they are feeling the way they are and how to channel those feelings more appropriately. When overwhelmed, children with autism can express aggression in three ways:

1. Physical aggression: This can manifest as biting, hitting, kicking, or destroying property. It can also manifest as self-harm, such as hitting themselves or head-banging. Other signs of physical aggression are the destruction of property.
2. Verbal aggression: Yelling, screaming, or swearing. 
3. Social aggression: Excluding others, spreading rumors, or making mean comments.

These aggressive outbursts can negatively affect the lives of the person or child diagnosed with autism and their families. Children on the spectrum with unmanaged aggressive outbursts are at risk for the following:

• Increased risk of being a victim or perpetrator of violence 
• Poor mental and physical health 
• Difficulty sustaining friendships and relationships 
• Decreased educational and social support
• Lower educational attainment and employment prospects
• Decreased quality of life

Aggressive outbursts don’t just take a toll on the child themselves, but they can often have a traumatic effect on family and caregivers. 

Parents of children with high-functioning autism report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than parents of typically developing children. They also report more difficulty in managing their child’s behavior.

In addition, there is a social stigma attached to parents of children on the spectrum. When aggressive behavior of children with ASD is witnessed by family, friends, or other parents, judgment often ensues as parenting skills are questioned. 

It is not uncommon for parents and caregivers of children on the spectrum to feel socially isolated and excluded, which can lead to shame and depression.

So, this all begs the question – why are these outbursts occurring? The “why” is a critical word in that sentence, as most parents of children with autism will tell you. 

Many children with autism have difficulty communicating, which can often lead to frustration and aggression. However, some children with autism can communicate effectively but may use aggression to get their message across.

Aggression as a Method of Communication

There are many reasons a child or adult with autism might use aggression to communicate. One reason is that the person may not be able to understand or express their needs in any other way. 

Another reason is that the child may be trying to get something they want or avoid something they don’t want.

It’s important to remember that aggression is a normal part of development for all children. Unfortunately, it’s often seen more frequently in children with autism due to their difficulty communicating.

Treatment and Prevention Measures

Many strategies can be employed to help identify, de-escalate and even prevent aggressive outbursts for people with ASD. The most important thing is to identify the signs that an eruption is about to happen. 

This can be difficult as every individual with ASD Level 1 will have different triggers and warning signs; however, some common signs include the following:

• Withdrawing from social interaction or becoming isolated 
• Changes in body language, such as fidgeting or pacing 
• Increase in vocalizations or stimming behaviors 
• Difficulty communicating needs or wants

The goal is to prevent meltdowns by identifying the warning signs. This may require extra work if you’re a parent of a child on the spectrum, but it is well worth the effort if it helps maintain peace in your household.

If prevention strategies are not working, treatments may help with aggressive outbursts for people with high-functioning autism. One of these interventions is Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA.

Applied Behavior Analysis to Manage Aggression

The most popular and most effective treatment for aggression in children and adults with high-functioning autism is ABA, which successfully reduces aggressive behaviors in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

ABA therapy is a type of behavior therapy that focuses on changing specific behaviors. To change a behavior, the therapist must first identify the behavior’s function or “why.”

The function of a behavior is the reason why the behavior is occurring. Once the “why” of the behavior is identified, the therapist can create a treatment plan to address the behavior. 

ABA therapy successfully reduces aggressive behaviors in children and adults with high-functioning autism.

The success of ABA is because it works by teaching new skills and decreasing problem behaviors. The treatment uses positive reinforcement to increase desired behaviors and punish undesirable ones. 

Applied Behavior Analysis therapy is always individualized to meet the needs of each child or adult on the spectrum and produces results. However, it is not without its critiques.

Some of the criticisms of ABA therapy are:

• The therapy only targets the symptoms of autism and not the underlying cause. 
• As any struggling parent can attest, the therapy can be expensive and time-consuming.
• Unfortunately, Applied Behavioral Analysis can be intrusive and stressful for the child. 
• ABA therapy does not address the needs of the whole family, which are essential to take into account to provide a more holistic approach to dealing with aggression.

The most important thing you need to know as a person with autism or a parent of a child with autism is that no one size fits all when it comes to treatment or interventions. Listen to your instincts and find the treatment right for you. Let’s take a second to sum it all up.

Summing It All Up

Aggression and meltdowns are a real and often daily challenge for those affected by ASD, but there is hope. The first step is identifying when aggressive episodes might occur and recognizing their signs and symptoms.

Once you’ve deciphered this code, you can explore therapies like ABA to help control and replace these behaviors with more socially acceptable ones.

The journey for those dealing with autism isn’t easy. Still, the rewards for learning how to control aggressive behaviors and replace them with productive, healthy behaviors are worth the effort in the long run.

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

One of the challenges children with autism face is transferring newly learned skills to other environments. That’s why the generalization of skills is one of the main focuses of ABA therapy, especially for children receiving services in a clinical setting. Below, we explain different generalization strategies used by ABA therapists. 

What Is Generalization?

Generalization is an essential component of ABA therapy. It consists of teaching children with autism how to apply newly mastered skills in different situations. Generalization allows to extend the effects of ABA therapy to new environments where clinical services may not be available.

What are the benefits of generalization?

The ability to apply newly learned skills to a variety of settings has many benefits for children on the autism spectrum:

 

• It improves the long-term retention of skills.
• It promotes self confidence and independence.
• It allows for the recalibration of behavior, that is modifying skills to suit changes in the environment over time.
• It sets the ground for better interaction with others.

 

In the following sections, we explain three forms of generalization in ABA therapy crucial for effective treatment: stimulus generalization, response generalization, and skill maintenance. 

Stimulus Generalization

Stimulus generalization refers to performing a learned skill in new situations. When a child is asked to grab a handful of something, he or she should be able to provide the same response regardless of the type of stimuli, for example, a handful of popcorn, a handful of sand, or a handful of LEGO bricks. 

Training loosely 

Training loosely is a stimulus generalization method that consists of teaching skills in a variety of instructional settings, at different times of the day, and with different people involved. One of the simplest ways to train loosely is by altering materials, for instance, using different pens, pencils, crayons, and paper. This technique encourages the child to learn across settings and makes it less likely that the child’s response will be interrupted by the presence of an unfamiliar item, person, or situation.

Response Generalization

Response generalization occurs when a child successfully uses newly learned skills and the variation of these skills in different contexts. For example, if a child learns how to zip up the jacket and is then also able to zip up the backpack, then the skill of using a zipper has been generalized. Contrary to stimulus generalization where multiple stimuli generate the same response, response generalization occurs when the same stimulus generates multiple responses. 

Maintenance of Learned Skills

Skill maintenance is one of the most important elements of successful ABA therapy. Maintenance means that a previously acquired skill is retained over time and that the child can perform it without reinforcement. 

 

An example of skill maintenance is tying shoelaces. After this complex task is learned, the child should not need any prompts or rewards. If the child continues to tie shoes independently in different settings, we can say that this skill has been generalized.

Skill maintenance strategies

One of the principal maintenance strategies is the repetition of skills and applying them to multiple contexts and locations. In addition to repetition, the reinforcement of learned skills can be done through: 

 

• Building onto existing habits
• Prompting
• Scaffolding (offering support)
• Specific skill reinforcement.

 

Here are some things therapists and other individuals working with children with autism must keep in mind when it comes to skill maintenance:

• Prioritize practicing newly acquired skills in natural environments, for example, at home, in school, or on the playground. 
• Integrate skill maintenance into the child’s daily routine. Children with autism appreciate predictability, and this will make practicing skills easier.
• Stay consistent when it comes to requirements. The child may forget skills if they are allowed to revert to easier behaviors.

 

Keep on reading to learn more about the best strategies for teaching the generalization of skills.

Strategies to Enhance Generalization

• Teach through multiple examples across a variety of settings, objects, behaviors, and other aspects. For example, if you want to teach the word “cat”, you should use pictures of many different types of cats to help the child generalize the skill. 
• Make sure that learning occurs not only during planned times but also spontaneously in a variety of situations throughout the day. 
• Have more than one instructor help the child practice the skill. The child should be able to perform the skill during interaction with different people, including unfamiliar individuals.
• Teach behaviors in a wide range of environments, such as the school, the playground, and the classroom. For example, if you teach a child to use an inside voice, he or she should practice that behavior in different locations, for example, their grandparents’ house, a library, or a grocery store.
• Teach the child how to respond to multiple instructions that have the same meaning, for instance, “How old are you?” and “What’s your age?” The child should learn that although these questions are different, they require the same response.
• Prioritize functional behaviors that are most likely to be useful to the child in their everyday life.
• Train loosely by showing the child that there are multiple possible responses in a situation, for example, if the child feels cold, he or she can choose to put on a sweater or get a blanket.
• Avoid skill overgeneralization by making sure that the child knows when they can and can’t use a particular skill. When teaching a new skill, it is essential to also teach times and situations where using that skill is appropriate.
• Reinforce the child whenever generalization occurs and they successfully demonstrate a skill outside of the teaching environment, in the presence of different people, or when they vary responses appropriately.
• Make sure that the child has ample opportunities to practice newly learned skills even after they are fully mastered.
• Try one generalization approach at a time, adjusting as necessary.
• Remember that generalization requires plenty of planning, consistency, and patience. It is important to give the child enough time to transfer learned skills to new environments. 

 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

Children with autism often have difficulties learning new skills. That is why ABA therapists may introduce these skills through task analysis, a technique that breaks tasks down into smaller, easily manageable activities. Read more about task analysis and how it is used in ABA therapy.

What Is Task Analysis?

A task analysis is an ABA therapy method where complex tasks are broken down into a series of smaller steps that are easier to learn. By dividing the task into simpler activities, children with autism are less likely to feel overwhelmed by learning a new skill. The number of steps that the therapist implements will depend on the difficulty of the task, as well as the child’s level of functioning and individual needs.

How is task analysis implemented?

ABA therapists who use task analysis start by identifying the skills that need to be learned and breaking them down into smaller steps. The steps are linked via chaining, which means that each step must be completed before beginning the next one. It is important to ensure that the child has mastered all the discrete skills required to successfully complete the task before the task analysis technique is implemented. 

 

Task analysis can be done in three different ways: 

 

• Forward chaining
• Backward chaining
• Total task chaining

Forward chaining

Forward chaining consists of teaching steps of a task in chronological order and reinforcing each step as it is mastered. This method can be used with children with autism who learn quickly and who have demonstrated independence in performing some parts of the task. 

Backward chaining

Backward chaining teaches a behavior starting with the last step. The therapist provides assistance with all the steps except for the last one and reinforcement is provided at the end of the sequence. This technique is typically used for children who are less likely to follow the task sequence unprompted and who try to insert other behaviors into the chain. 

Total task chaining

Total task chaining consists of teaching the steps of a task together and breaking down the problematic steps into simpler units. The child receives reinforcement only after having completed the entire sequence. This method is used for children who can learn complex tasks relatively quickly and who don’t require many trials. 

 

If the child makes many errors in performing individual steps through total task chaining, the therapist will go back to one of the other chaining techniques.

The Four Methods of Task Analysis

Task analysis is developed using one of the following four methods: 

 

• Observe competent individuals as they perform the sequence of behaviors and document the steps.
• Consult experts or professional organizations to validate the steps of a task in question.
• Involve individuals who are teaching the skill to perform the task themselves and document the steps.
• Perform the entire sequence by trial and error method where an initial task analysis is gradually refined.

 

Read on for some examples of task analysis in ABA therapy. 

Examples of Task Analysis

Understanding all the steps of a particular task can help the ABA therapist teach that task in a logical progression and identify any steps that may need additional instruction.

Putting on a coat

• Take the coat and pick it up by the collar
• Place the right arm in the right sleeve
• Push the arm through until the hand comes out at the other end
• Reach behind with the left hand
• Place the left arm in the left sleeve hole
• Push the arm through until the hand comes out at the other end
• Zip or button the coat

Tying shoe laces

• Take the laces in your hands
• Cross the two laces
• Make a bunny ear and hold it with one hand
• Make another bunny ear and hold it with the other hand
• Pull the knot tight

Brushing teeth

• Pick up the toothbrush
• Turn on the water tap
• Rinse the toothbrush
• Pick up the toothpaste tube
• Place a dab of toothpaste on the toothbrush
• Scrub the teeth gently
• Spit the toothpaste into the sink
• Rinse the toothbrush
• Place the toothbrush back into the holder
• Fill a rinsing cup with water
• Rinse the mouth
• Spit the water into the sink
• Turn off the water tap

What Can Be Taught through Task Analysis?

Task analysis can be used for teaching a wide variety of behaviors in children with autism and in particular activities of daily living (ADLs). For children on the autism spectrum, these skills are essential for promoting independence and boosting self esteem.

 

Some of the activities that can be thought through task analysis include: 

• Washing hands
• Brushing teeth
• Bathing 
• Getting dressed 
• Making the bed 
• Preparing a meal
• Getting on public transport 
• Performing household chores  
• Using a computer or tablet 
• Playing a sport
• Money management
• Time management

Below, we list the main conditions that must be met in order to achieve a successful task analysis. 

Characteristics Vital to the Success of Task Analysis

There are three main characteristics that are essential to the success of task analysis: 

 

• Consistency
• Individualization
• Systematic instruction

Consistency

When using task analysis, it is important to ensure that the child is offered the same approach and reinforcement strategies in all learning situations, both at home, in school, and in other settings. In other words, each person working with the child should be able to demonstrate in exactly the same way how a given activity is performed. Consistency in task analysis prevents confusion and allows for quicker learning of new skills.

Individualization

Task analysis needs to be customized to meet the specific needs of each child with autism. The task increments have to be adapted to the child’s age, communication skills, abilities, and level of functioning in order for the learning to be effective.

Systematic instruction

Because the steps of a task are learned chronologically, it is essential that the task analysis is done in a systematic, sequential order. The therapist must ensure that the child has properly learned all previous parts of the task before moving on to the next one. 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

Autism toys help kids manage their behavioral, emotional, and sensory symptoms. In the same vein, some toys enhance their academic, social, and motor skills.

If you want your autistic daughter or son to improve in any of these areas, this article has a list of toys that are perfect for children with autism.

What are autism toys?

They entail different types of toys that allow autistic children to calm and/or stimulate their sensory processes. In turn, they can use these toys to concentrate in class, energize their senses, and control their reaction to a certain situation or incident.

Just as importantly, some autism toys could hone their motor capabilities. Others may teach kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) new skills, such as a few of the ones that we will go over in this article.

With that in mind, here is our list of the most popular autism toys, kits, and games (followed by five of the best products that are on the market):

Sensory Kits

Sensory kits are ideal for children that need to regularly stimulate their senses. They are also a great choice for kids with sensory sensitivities, especially in their hands. These autism toys are useful for developing motor skills, too.

When you get a sensory kit, you can expect to find items like stress balls, kinetic sand, stretchable ropes, and whistles, to name a few examples.

There are similar kits for autistic children that have other sensory issues.

Fidget Kits

If your boy or girl struggles with anxiety, stress, and/or restlessness, a fidget kit may enable them to calm down and stay still.

Some of the kit’s items are small enough to fit in your child’s backpack (alongside their books) or even their pocket. Because of that, autistic kids can use them in different environments, such as to maintain their focus in class.

Fidget kits have contents that are made from multiple textures. For instance, balls or stretchable shapes that feel sticky/gooey and stuffed animals that are designed to be squished and squeezed.

Many fidget kits also have practical applications. Examples include fun and appealing-looking timers and puzzle balls.

Sound Puzzles

Consider utilizing a sound puzzle to teach your kid what various animals and objects (like cars, machines, and musical instruments) sound like.

In the same vein, since a sound puzzle plays the noise of the animal or object that your child presses on, it helps them learn about cause and effect, which is one of the cornerstone concepts that therapists who work with autistic kids rely on.

There are other autism toys that teach children critical skills in a similarly-engaging manner.

“What Should I Do Now” Game

This is a go-to choice for enhancing social capabilities. The game’s players can emulate real-life situations and find ways to handle them.

Above all, this is done in a casual and fun setting that kids will enjoy.

Chew Toy

Chewy toys, which come in multiple shapes, serve the following purposes:

• These autism toys allow for the healthy growth and development of teeth and jaw muscles.
• When they’re angry or anxious, children with ASD can resort to chew toys instead of biting their friends, family members, or classmates.
• They provide an avenue for sensory stimulation.

Keep in mind that, if you want to energize an autistic girl or boy’s other senses, you have alternative autism toys to pick from.

Rainmaker Toys

An excellent form of hearing stimulation, kids can create their own musical rhythms with rainmaker toys.

To add to that, those with a passion for music could discover it at an early stage and, from there, utilize music therapy to treat their ASD symptoms.

Rainmaker toys, which require regular shaking, are particularly suitable for children that have high energy levels. Conversely, there are autism toys for those who prefer a more relaxing form of sensory engagement.

Vibrating Cushion

A vibrating cushion has incredibly calming effects, and it may ease a lot of stress, anxiety, and tension. On top of that, because it minimizes autism’s sensory symptoms, autistic children tend to communicate and socialize better while they sit on one.

In fact, many autism toys that could be used as furniture have comparable benefits.

Rocking Board

Alongside lightening up your autistic son or daughter’s mood, a rocking board will keep them physically active, strengthen their muscles, and act as a sensory impetus.

For a more therapeutically-enhancing autism toy, think about whether a therapy swing would suit you.

Therapy Swing

In addition to the positive aspects that the rocking board offers, a therapy swing is soothing for your child. It also provides them with a way to relax while their sensory processes are comfortable.

Ball Pit

Among all the autism toys that we went over, this is arguably the most comfortable, relaxing, and, at the same time, exciting one.

Ball pits allow children to enjoy a massage-like experience (especially autistic kids that have sensitivity issues).

Not only do ball pits stimulate their touch-related senses, but certain types have therapeutic visual and audio enhancements, as well. This includes one of the five toys that are on our list.

After you go through the full list, you will have an idea of which toys work best for you and your child’s needs.

Five Potential Autism Toys for Your Child

LED Vibro-Acoustic Ball Pit: $3,111.95

The LED Vibro-Acoustic Ball Pit is on the pricier end of the list. Yet, it comes with a vibrating floor, LED lights, 1,000 clear balls, and a Bluetooth-compatible audio system.

These features and characteristics make it an incredibly beneficial toy for kids with ASD.

Therapy Swing for Kids with Special Needs (Hardware Included): $35.99-$75.98

This therapy swing for kids with special needs is a much more affordable option. Professional therapists who work with autistic children condone using it, and some of them deploy it in therapeutic sessions.

The swing teaches kids how to balance their body and utilize their motor skills. Your child can enjoy the swing and stimulate their senses while they sit, lay down, or even bounce on its stretchy and soft fabric.

FocusPad 3-in-1 (Sensory Seat and Feet Cushion): $32.99

The FocusPad 3-in-1 is designed for both children and adults. Your autistic son or daughter could also rely on it in several situations (for example, in class, at home, during therapy sessions, or in the car), especially because of its silent vibrations.

In addition to energizing a child’s sensory functions when they sit on it, the FocusPad 3-in-1 can stimulate the back and feet.

Deluxe Fidget Bundle: $34.95

This Deluxe Fidget Bundle has over 30 toys, puzzles, and items. Your kid will have fun, discover new things, and learn how to direct their attention towards a specific toy or item as they play with the kit.

This might come in handy in various settings, such as at school or while on road trips.

Super Sensory Kit: $49.99

This Super Sensory Kit has the items that your child needs to stay calm, concentrated, and mentally engaged, ranging from a kinetic sand to a liquid timer.

With that being said, all the autism toys that we outlined in this article can help autistic kids with their mood and focus, stimulate their sensory processes, and keep them entertained as they learn new things.

Now that you know about the different types of autism toys and why they’re very useful for children, pick the ones that would suit your autistic daughter or son best.

This should be based on their individual and unique behavioral, emotional, sensory, and educational demands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism is a developmental disability. The condition isn’t a learning disability, but patients still require educational support.

This article highlights autism’s main debilitating symptoms, the government benefits that officially-diagnosed children and adults may obtain, and what they could do if they don’t qualify.

Signs & Symptoms of Autism

Autistic patients typically experience debilitating signs and symptoms. This causes them to grapple with completing day-to-day tasks, including at school or their job.

To illustrate, here is a breakdown of the signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how they make the condition an emotional disability:

• They don’t know how to express themselves when they’re upset. For example, a child with ASD may pull their hair or yell when they’re hungry.
• Autistic patients go through cycles of rage and anger that they can’t control.
• Plenty of adults and children with ASD also struggle with social anxiety.
• Autistic patients are likely to get diagnosed with a psychological or mental illness, most commonly depression.

In the same vein, autism impacts an individual’s communication skills in the following ways:

• Their heightened anxiety prevents them from having the courage to share their thoughts in group settings or participate in conversations.
• Patients could yell or throw objects because they don’t know how to communicate that they’re frustrated or upset, which can damage important belongings at home and create an uncomfortable environment at school or work.
• Some people with autism experience difficulties when they want to start a conversation, share what they have with others, or ask for an item or favor.

With that in mind, an autistic patient’s social disability may manifest itself through the following signs:

• The individual with ASD prefers to play or get involved in an activity by themselves.
• They might flap their hands, pull their hair, pace back and forth, and/or behave in similar ways in order to stimulate their brains. However, many would consider this as unusual, and this limits an autistic patient’s ability to interact in social settings.
• Autistic people are typically sensitive to food, bright lights, and loud noises, which is a barrier that potentially stops them from eating in public and attending large social gatherings or events.

It goes without saying that if you are concerned about a loved one who is showing any of these emotional, social, or communication-related symptoms, you need to ensure that they receive a medical evaluation.

Diagnosing Autism

Initially, you want to take your loved one to their primary care provider. From there, the doctor may refer you to other medical professionals who will evaluate the patient and conduct tests.

If they diagnose them with ASD, they should start looking at their treatment options as soon as possible. This gives you and your loved one enough time to make financial arrangements.

Keep in mind that autism treatment plans are expensive, and there are various programs that might help you pay for them.

Can someone with autism receive government benefits?

Yes, they certainly can. Here are the main disability benefits programs and what they entail:

Social Security Disability Income

This program is for adults who had to leave their work due to a disability. More specifically, former employees who had a job that was covered by Social Security are eligible for these benefits.

The disability must make it impossible for a person to sit, stand, or walk for long periods, or fulfill similar job-related tasks.

Social Security defines a “disability” as a condition that will either continue for over 12 months or lead the patient to die.

If you or your loved one had a job that wasn’t covered by Social Security or never worked in the past, there are other programs that you might qualify for.

Supplemental Social Security Income

A person is eligible for Supplement Social Security Income benefits if their condition meets their definition of a “disability” and they have a “limited income” and “limited resources”.

First of all, a “disability” is defined in the same way as it is under the Social Security Disability Income benefits, in addition to:

• For Children: The disability causes “marked and severe functional limitations”.
• For Adults: The disability “results in the inability to do any substantial gainful activity”.

Second, the applicant must prove that they have a “limited income” and “limited resources”. Social Security will count their earnings from employment, family or spousal support, and other sources as part of an applicant’s income.

The maximum income for SSI eligibility is $860 and $1,200 per month for individuals and couples, respectively. When it comes to resources, applicants can’t have more than $2,000 and couples aren’t allowed to exceed $3,000.

Here are the resources that Social Security accounts for:

• Cash
• Money in the applicant’s bank account(s)
• Their car
• Land
• Personal property that they could sell for cash, food, or housing
• Any support that they receive from their spouse, parents, or parent’s spouse that goes over $2,000 (from one parent) or $3,000 (from two parents)

Meanwhile, Social Security doesn’t take the following resources (among others) into consideration when they approve or deny SSI applications:

• The value of primary residences and homes (including the land)
• Household items
• Personal belongings
• Resources used for work or business

Alongside Social Security benefits, you may want to enroll in Medicaid to cover the autism treatment program’s costs. Under the Medicaid eligibility rules, you need to earn less than 133% the Federal Poverty Line per year to qualify.

If your annual income exceeds that, you might be allowed to obtain a waiver.

People with Autism May Qualify for a Medicaid Waiver

With a Medicaid waiver, autistic patients can get Medicaid (or the equivalent state-level program) to cover the costs of at-home therapy services and other ASD treatments.

The available waivers and what they entail are different from state to state. So are the covered services and the eligibility requirements.

Therefore, when you want to apply for a waiver, you should check what the process looks like in your state. This includes which paperwork and documents you have to submit.

Katie Beckett Waiver

Many ASD patients struggle to attain a Medicaid waiver. In part, this is because you need to provide plenty of supporting documents. Additionally, those that do get approved have to endure long waiting lists until it’s their turn to receive their benefits.

As an alternative, the Katie Beckett Waiver brings home care to kids with serious disabilities (autism is one of them) in a quicker and more convenient manner.

In comparison to Medicaid waivers, states can issue an unlimited amount of Katie Beckett waivers, which eliminates waiting lists. As far as the monetary rules go, Katie Beckett waivers consider the patient’s direct income and assets (and they don’t account for their parents’ resources).

To qualify for this waiver, you must meet these requirements:

• Be 18 years old or younger.
• Have a disability that has to be treated in an institutional setting.
• Showcase that at-home services would be cheaper than (or cost the same as) receiving treatment at an institution.
• Live in one of the 24 states in which the waiver is available and fulfill state-level eligibility rules.

If you have an autistic child, family member, or friend who isn’t eligible for Medicaid, consider helping them apply for the Katie Beckett waiver so that they start addressing and minimizing their autism-induced emotional, social, and communicative disabilities.

Keep in mind that they need to be officially diagnosed with ASD by their doctor and/or a medical professional. After that, the patient may apply for Social Security and Medicaid benefits (and, of course, the necessary waivers).

 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

If you are a caring and driven individual wanting to help children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), then you may be well-suited for a career as a certified autism specialist (CAS). These professionals work with individuals with autism to help them learn essential skills needed to thrive with this disorder.

What is an Autism Specialist?

An autism specialist is an individual who works directly with children who have ASD. Since this neurological and developmental disorder impacts how people interact with one another, learn, communicate and behave, many children with autism need additional assistance in navigating the world around them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventing (CDC), more children than ever are being diagnosed with Autism. In fact, today approximately one in 44 children are diagnosed with autism, creating a growing demand for these highly-trained and compassionate individuals.

An autism specialist will work closely with individuals with autism, providing them with valuable skills they need to thrive at home, at school and as part of society.

Not all children with ASD are the same and they each have their own unique behaviors and challenges. This is why hiring a specialist is so important. Children with autism can have mild or severe neurological challenges. They may have sensory processing issues or struggle with processing others’ emotions or using appropriate manners.

As a CAS, you will be trained in the best practices to handle all of these challenges so you can teach children with autism the best tools and practices to overcome the situations that challenge them the most.

What Does a Certified Autism Specialist Do?

                                                                                                                           

Autism specialists provide therapy or assistance in a classroom, private counseling, or even at home. They specifically work with behaviors, sensory processing issues, social interactions and other challenges that may prevent the child from integrating into society and thriving at school.

After learning specific therapies and techniques a CAS typically acts as a type of “tutor” for a child with autism, providing them with a more individualized approach to their education and development.

They also work closely with individuals with autism to help improve communication with parents and family members and to educate others on understanding autistic behaviors.

Where do Autism Specialists Work?

Autism specialists most commonly work in educational settings such as public or private classrooms, or in special education programs. Certified autism specialists can work as specialized teachers or general education teachers who have specialized instruction for their autistic students.

A CAS can also work in therapist offices, medical settings and with non-profit organizations.

Some of these autism specialists also provide one-on-one tutoring for students in need, help with group sessions among autistic students or work in summer camps or after school programs that specifically cater to autistic students.

As a CAS, career opportunities are only growing as society continues to develop a better understanding of autism and as more and more children are receiving this diagnosis. With the right education and certifications, you can earn a great living as a CAS, all while helping enrich and better the lives of individuals with ASD.

How Much Do Autism Specialists Make?

While salaries can vary depending on the position and location, on average, autism specialists make about $28 per hour or $52,674 per year according to ZipRecruiter. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, if individuals with this certificate decide to take on a full-time special education teaching job, they can make a median salary of $55,840-$60,600.

Autism specialists who offer private tutoring and one-on-one instruction may receive higher compensation for their work.

Becoming a Certified Autism Specialist

If you are interested in becoming a certified autism specialist, then you will need to get additional education on the specific needs of an individual with ASD. There are some prerequisites to becoming a CAS. In addition to at least having a qualifying bachelor’s degree, you will also need two years of experience in the autism field, specifically in supporting individuals with autism.

After meeting these requirements, you also need an additional 14 contact hours of training. Part of this training will include learning the most effective therapeutic strategies necessary to help individuals with autism and how to apply them in real-world settings.

After this there is an exam. In order to be “autism certified” you need the specific CAS credential, which is offered by IBCCES. After passing the necessary competency exam, you can receive the title of CAS.

Here are the steps involved with this educational journey:

Step 1- Earn a Qualifying Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited university, making sure you have two years of experience in the autism field.

Step 2- Complete the 14-hour continuing education specialty training program.

Step 3- Pay the required fees and submit your application for the competency exam.

Step 4- Taking the Autism Competency Exam through the IBCCES.

Step 5- Receive your CAS certification after passing and maintain that certification by renewing the certificate every two years.

By passing this certification examination, you will be able to start applying for jobs as a certified autism specialist and will be able to start helping those with autism and administering therapies such as ABA.

What is ABA Therapy?

ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is a method of autism therapy that teaches functional behaviors and new skills. This therapy is backed by scientific research and is proven to help children with autism improve their social, language, cognitive and daily living skills.

This is one of the most widely used interventions for individuals with autism. According to Autism Speaks, ABA is a highly individualized therapy that looks different for every individual. As a CAS, you will learn how to apply the basics of ABA and cater it to fit the needs of each individual with autism that you work with.

If you have never seen ABA therapy in action before, you may have questions about how this therapy works and the benefits you can expect from this treatment plan.

How Does ABA Therapy Work?

ABA therapy focuses on teaching children, or adults, with autism the necessary skills they need to stop dangerous behaviors. The goal is to stop these behaviors instead of focusing on harmless, self-stimulatory behaviors, or stims.

 

There are actually a few different evidence-based treatments that fall under the ABA family. Since every person is unique, no one type of therapy will work for every individual. ABA typically includes a combination of these types of behavioral interventions:

 

• Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI)- Therapy for children under 5 years old that is focused on developing functional skills and communication.
• Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation (JASPER)- This approach is for children between 1 and 8 years old that is effective for improving play and communication skills.
• Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)- Designed for children between the ages of 4 and 12 and developed specifically with cognitive skills and communication in mind.
• Natural Environment Teaching (NET)- This approach is for children between the ages of 2 and 9 years old and focuses on language, play, social skills and thriving in more natural environments.
• Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)- This therapy is play-based and is more child-initiated. This approach focuses on social behaviors, self-management and communication.

 

Remember, ABA is not a one-size-fits-all approach. As a CAS you will have the experience and understanding to use elements of these principals and create a customized approach that helps those you are working with get results.

 

The Benefits of ABA Therapy

Therapies under the ABA umbrella are immersive and effective interventions that can come with a number of outstanding benefits, including the following:

 

• Improved Language Skills- ABA therapy will help teach children with autism how to communicate more effectively and help them make their needs known. This is one of the cornerstones of the ABA therapy process.
• New Skill Acquisition- Children with autism who are struggling to master specific life skills can see great improvement with ABA therapy.
• Positive Behavior Modifications- ABA therapy methods can help promote more positive behaviors in children with autism. Many parents find that with ABA therapy, their child with autism starts exhibiting more socially-acceptable behaviors.
• Better Daily Skills- Many young people with autism find certain activities of daily living (ADL) to be quite challenging. ABA therapy makes it easier for children with autism to manage their daily life by teaching them functional skills including eating, bathing, and dressing.
• Improved Social Skills– ABA therapy can help children with autism learn important skills that can help them integrate better socially with their peers and in society.
• Higher Executive Function- There are several issues that may prevent a child with autism from learning in a school setting. Issues with memory, flexibility and self-control can make learning difficult, and this therapy specifically targets these unique challenges.

 

With proven benefits like this, it is easy to see why so many caring and compassionate individuals are interested in a career as a certified autism specialist. By using interventions such as ABA therapy, you can truly make a difference in the lives of those with autism.

 

With more information on becoming a CAS and what it takes to be one of these highly-trained specialists, you may just find that a job in this field can be the rewarding career path you’ve been searching for.

 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.

Autism spectrum is a developmental disorder that can affect a person’s ability to communicate, emotionally regulate, and process sensory information. Some experts believe that people with high-functioning autism have above-average IQs, while others think there’s no link between the two. 

Let’s take a deep dive into both autism and IQ to learn more about this tentative link.

In What Areas Can Autism Affect a Person’s Day-to-Day Life?

Although people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often described as ‘high-functioning’ or ‘low-functioning’, these aren’t technically medical diagnoses; they’re simply terms used to describe how well a person with ASD can carry out certain tasks.

That’s because ASD can significantly impair a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others, and the extent of that impairment varies from person to person. Let’s explore some ways in which ASD can affect a person’s day-to-day life:

Verbal Communication

According to the NIDCD, children with ASD have a few key challenges with their verbal communication:

• Rigid and repetitive language. A child with ASD might say the same sentence over and over or use words that are not appropriate in the context of a conversation. 
• Uneven or delayed development of speech and language skills. Often, children with ASD will develop speech skills later than their neurotypical peers. They might also have difficulty using and understanding nonverbal communication, such as body language or tone of voice.

• Echolalia. This is when a person with ASD repeats back what someone else has said, either immediately after hearing it or at a later time. It’s often considered a form of self-stimulation or coping mechanism.
• High-pitched or flat intonation. A person with ASD might speak in a monotone voice or have a pitch that is higher or lower than what is considered ‘normal’. For some, this is because of certain speech patterns they’ve seen in a favorite television show or movie.

 

Levels of Communication Impairment

According to Autism Speaks, people with ASD are usually placed into one of three categories when they’re being diagnosed. We call this the DSM-5 Autism Diagnostic Criteria.

Level 1: Requiring Support

• Can communicate verbally, but with some difficulty
• Will often respond to others in atypical ways
• Might have trouble starting or sustaining a conversation
• Struggles with back-and-forth banter or making small talk

Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support

• Communicates using single words or brief phrases
• Uses markedly odd non-verbal communication
• Has reduced or abnormal responses to social cues from others

Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support

• Nonverbal, or with very little intelligible speech
• Rarely initiates social interactions
• Communicates solely out of necessity

When someone with ASD is considered ‘high-functioning’, they’re typically at Level 1: able to speak in full sentences, carry on a conversation, and understand nonverbal communication relatively well. However, they might still have some challenges with the items listed above.

Social Interactions

Humans are social creatures by nature. We crave interactions and relationships with others. When those interactions don’t go the way we want or expect them to, it can be very confusing and upsetting.

For both children and adults with ASD, social difficulty manifests itself in a few key ways:

• Trouble making and keeping friends
• Poor eye contact or unusual body language
• Inability to understand personal space boundaries or trouble reading social cues
• Unusual obsessions or fixations on certain topics, people, or objects
• Intense reactions to changes in routine

These challenges can make it hard for someone with ASD to function in a ‘typical’ school or work environment. They might have difficulty following along with conversations, participating in group projects, or understanding social hierarchies.

Living Skills

While people with mild ASD tend to fare well as independent people, those needing significant assistance tend to struggle when it comes to the day-to-day tasks of living.

This includes things like:

• Self-care (e.g., hygiene, dressing, eating)
• Budgeting and money management
• Time management and organization
• Household chores and maintenance

For some people with ASD, they might be able to do all of these things independently. But for others, they might need assistance from a parent, spouse, roommate, or caregiver. Every person’s diagnosis is incredibly individual. 

Sensory Overload

Have you ever seen a child or adult walking through a busy store with noise-cancelling headphones? It’s often a precaution that people with ASD use to avoid sensory overload. Their senses are processing information more intensely than the average person, so a loud noise or bright light can be incredibly overwhelming.

Emotional Sensitivity

People with ASD also tend to be very emotionally sensitive. They might have a harder time understanding and processing their emotions, or they might have difficulty understanding the emotions of others and displaying empathy.

Resistance to Change

Finally, the lives of people with ASD are often disrupted by change, whether it’s a change in routine, location, or relationships. This is because people with ASD often thrive on predictability and routine. When something disrupts that routine, it can cause a lot of anxiety and distress.

Most, if not all of these challenges, come from slight abnormalities that develop in a child’s brain.

What Parts of the Brain are Affected by Autism?

Though the neurochemistry and biology of ASD are not fully understood, we do know that ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means that it affects certain key areas of the brain:

• The hippocampus is enlarged, which affects both learning and memory development
• The amygdala differs in people with ASD, heavily influencing emotions
• The cortex tends to have a different pattern of thickness between people with ASD and neurotypical individuals
• The cerebellum has a smaller amount of gray matter in people with ASD, which affects cognition, social ability, movement, and motor skills

All of these subtle differences combined are what result in the challenges and symptoms experienced by people with ASD. But how does their IQ fare in all of this?

Types of IQ

Intelligence quotient, or IQ, is a measurement of cognitive ability. It’s often used as a way to identify giftedness or special needs in children. There are two main types of IQ tests:

Performance IQ tests nonverbal intelligence; in other words, how well a person can solve problems using visual and practical reasoning. It tests spatial processing skills, attention to detail, and hand-eye coordination skills.

Verbal IQ assesses a person’s vocabulary and ability to solve problems with language. It also measures verbal reasoning, comprehension of verbal information, and the ability to express knowledge through spoken language.

Children with ASD typically score lower on verbal IQ tests than they do on performance IQ tests, but it’s important to remember that IQ is just one measure of cognitive ability; it doesn’t tell the whole story. So what does it tell, exactly?

Is IQ related to the range of function of someone with autism?

Great question. Although a person’s IQ is a fairly telling measure of their cognitive ability, the function level of a person with ASD doesn’t correlate perfectly with their IQ.

Why is this the case? People with ASD can be incredibly gifted in cognition; in fact, 44 percent of people with ASD score in the ‘average’ to ‘above average’ category, and some are identified as ‘twice exceptional’ (highly gifted whilst living with a disability).

The issue arises when people score ‘above average’ in their IQ test, but they still struggle with activities of daily living.

An individual’s level of functioning can be more impacted by underlying mental health issues, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance abuse, gastrointestinal issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and anxiety, than by IQ.

 

Takeaway Summary: Does IQ Indicate Range of Function?

It’s important to remember that IQ is just one measure of cognitive ability, and it can be quite misleading. Just because someone has a high IQ doesn’t necessarily mean they function well in society or at home.

The best way to understand your own or someone else’s range of function is to consider all aspects of their life, from daily living skills and social skills to communication abilities and interests. IQ is only one piece of an intricate puzzle.

 

If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, New Jersey or Indiana, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family.