Today, there is a greater understanding of child development including the differences in how children vary in social functioning, show atypical repetitive behaviors, and communicate in different ways, including nonverbal communication. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is diagnosed and defined solely based on the presence of surface symptoms. Unlike a blood test that lets you know that your child has a peanut allergy, there is no physical means to diagnose it. So, how do you know if your child is on the Autism spectrum?

Diagnosing ASD includes a developmental screening and a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Your doctor will look at your child’s behavior and development before concluding. What happens after if your child receives a possible diagnosis? We at Hogg Therapy are dedicated to helping children thrive and we do this by meeting them where they’re at developmentally. Therapies for Children with Autism are some of the best ways to support your child’s goals, and our team is here to guide you along the way!

Where to Start

Diagnosing Autism hinges on observing your child’s development. This is something that you and your child’s pediatrician can do together. We recommend finding a pediatrician with a good understanding of ASD who can be a good resource and support for you and your child. We strive to do the same here at Hogg Therapy. A great resource we have developed is a Developmental Checklist to determine what recommended milestones your child should be working toward at certain ages.

Who Can Help

Of course, there are many wonderful resources at your disposal. In addition to the help of your pediatrician, physical therapy can help your child with their gross motor skills, such as balance and coordination. Occupational Therapy can help children with their fine/visual motor skills, as well as behavior/sensory/feedback needs. In addition to developing communication skills, Speech Language Therapy can help your child with communication and feeding skills.

Children with Autism may have differences in expressing or understanding verbal and/or nonverbal communication and social cues, including gestures, eye contact, tone of voice, facial expressions, and spoken language. Since communication can be different, this can result in behavioral issues as a child might have difficulty expressing how they are feeling. We will do everything we can to help your child development key communication skills. Our Speech Language Therapy is aimed at developing your child’s unique way of communicating so that their voice can be heard whether through words, sign language, or another form of communication.

When it comes to Pediatric Therapies to support individuals with autism, our friendly team of experts is here to help. Figuring out when your child should start therapy or supportive services depends on each individual. However, early diagnosis and therapy are exceptionally helpful. Since children grow rapidly, weekly therapy is often recommended so your child can keep meeting developmental milestones.

Contact Hogg Therapy Today

To learn more about Pediatric Therapies and services to support individuals with Autism, feel free to contact us online or give us a call at (859) 353-3666. We have locations in Richmond and Berea, Kentucky. We also proudly serve the greater Richmond and Berea area including Lexington, Livingston, Winchester, Irvine, McKee, Annville, Mount Vernon, and Brodhead, Kentucky. Contact us today to get started and grow your support group for you and your child.