Autism Therapies for Home That You May Not Have Thought of

We are consistently exploring new approaches to support our children with autism in leading fulfilling lives. While early intervention is essential in aiding kids with Autism, you'll discover some innovative strategies here that may not have crossed your mind yet.

This article goes beyond traditional at-home techniques for children with ASD. It delves into ways to enhance overall health and introduces less common, yet effective new strategies that have been embraced by parents to help their children flourish.

Recognising that supporting the entire family is crucial, including parents and siblings, enhances the journey for everyone involved. Prioritising the well-being of caregivers fosters resilience and harmony in the home, allowing siblings to bond and share in their experiences, which is invaluable.

Multiple approaches exist for effectively conducting autism therapy at home. You’ll find a variety of ideas outlined below that you can consider incorporating into your family’s routine, allowing you to create a supportive environment for your child.

Embracing these diverse approaches can make a significant difference in your child's journey. Remember, the goal is to empower them, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to thrive.

 

Key Takeaways

• Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Occupational therapy, and Speech therapy are common autism therapies that can be implemented at home.
• A healthy diet and managing stress and challenging behaviours are essential for supporting children with autism at home.
• Incorporating physical activity, primitive reflex integration, sensory integration therapy, and auditory processing therapy can benefit children with autism at home.
• Structured play, role-playing, and board games can be used as play therapy techniques at home to enhance problem-solving skills, creativity, social understanding, and empathy in children with autism.
   

Home-Based Therapies for Your Child

While professional therapy sessions play a crucial role, it’s equally important to seek advice from therapists on effective strategies you can implement at home. There are numerous therapies that you can practice in a familiar environment to support children with autism spectrum disorder. From time-tested methods to innovative dietary and lifestyle changes, we’ll uncover a variety of strategies that can truly make a difference.

We will also discuss exercises and unconventional therapies to broaden your in-home support toolkit, empowering you to foster a nurturing atmosphere for your child.

Fundamental Autism Therapy Techniques for the Home

When focusing on at-home therapies for autism, we must recognise the foundational methods that support many treatment strategies. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a prominent approach aimed at enhancing specific behaviours through reinforcement techniques. Additionally, we can incorporate occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, and floor time to assist our loved ones in developing vital life skills right in the comfort of our homes.

With numerous exercises tailored for home settings, we can improve their communication skills and empower them to reach their fullest potential.

Dietary and Lifestyle Strategies for Home

Now, let’s delve into how dietary and lifestyle adjustments can revolutionise autism therapy at home. A nutritious, tailored diet is essential for helping our children lead fulfilling lives. We’ll identify which foods meet their needs and which to steer clear of. We will also focus on stress management and effective strategies to navigate challenging behaviours, fostering resilience for both ourselves and our kids.

Utilising natural remedies, such as glutaryl glutathione and the ION supplement for gut lining health, can detoxify and support gut health, contributing to overall wellness. These approaches aid our children in thriving on their unique paths with autism.

Exercise and Alternative Therapies for Children with Autism

Let’s expand our scope beyond diet and lifestyle by exploring exercise and less conventional in-home therapies designed for children with autism. By weaving physical activity into daily routines, we can enhance their motor skills, strength, and overall well-being, while also reducing self-stimulatory behaviours.

We will also consider primitive reflex integration to help children achieve better movement control. Sensory integration therapy can improve sensory processing abilities, while auditory processing therapy addresses sound-related challenges.

Creating sensory-friendly environments at home provides our children with a sense of security and support. These strategies enhance our at-home autism therapy toolkit, addressing the varied needs of our kids.

 

Common Home Therapies for Autism.

Explore the effectiveness of home-based therapies for children with autism. Engage your child through interactive approaches such as Play Therapy and Speech Therapy, which nurture communication and social abilities. Unleash their potential with structured methods like Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Floor Time, guiding their journey toward growth and connection within the home.

Play Therapy.

Play therapy has become a fundamental aspect of our strategy for supporting children with autism. Through playful interactions, we establish connections with our kids in a nurturing and educational manner. Here's how we implement it:

• Structured Play:

  • Puzzles to enhance problem-solving skills.
  • Building blocks that promote creativity and fine motor abilities.

• Social Play:

  • Role-playing to foster social understanding and empathy.
  • Board games that teach patience and taking turns.

By blending learning with enjoyment, we meet our children where they are while encouraging them toward new achievements. This approach not only strengthens our bond with them but also gently guides their growth. The experience is truly rewarding!

Speech Therapy

Our home-based speech therapy methods for children with autism harness the power of play to develop communication skills. We create a supportive environment where each child's unique voice can flourish. By integrating consistent routines and engaging activities, we empower them to express their needs and feelings.

Utilising tools like picture cards and sign language can enhance understanding and fill the gaps in verbal communication. Patience is essential as we celebrate every small attempt at speech, recognising that every child's progress is unique and unfolds at its own pace.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a well-regarded therapy that can be effectively tailored for home use to help children with autism cultivate new skills and behaviours.

Key Components of Home ABA include:

• Consistency: Regular session implementation.
• Positivity: Encouragement and rewards for efforts.

 

With appropriate professional guidance, in-home ABA fosters an environment where our kids can thrive. We understand their needs and provide support with patience and care. This dedication is rewarding, as observing their progress underscores the positive impact we have on their development and happiness.

Floor Time

Integrating Floor Time into your home therapy routine offers a delightful way to connect with your child’s unique interests and rhythms. Grounded in respect and understanding, this therapeutic practice allows parents to engage with their children on their level. By participating in their activities and following their lead, you create a nurturing atmosphere that promotes natural development and learning.

Floor Time encourages us to be attentive and responsive, ensuring our interactions are meaningful and uplifting for our child. It's all about meeting them where they are and building on their strengths, enriching our bond while supporting growth in communication, social skills, and emotional intelligence.

 

Dietary and Lifestyle Strategies for the Home.

Managing autism at home encompasses more than therapy alone. It's crucial to promote health and happiness through diet and lifestyle choices.

Integrating nutrient-dense, healthy foods that support gut health and reduce inflammation is particularly important for children with autism. Sometimes, removing certain foods from their diet can be more significant than adding new ones. For instance, after eliminating gluten and dairy from our son's meals, we noticed he became calmer and showed improved communication, demonstrating the positive impact of eliminating inflammatory foods.

Sadly, even in 2023, despite our growing understanding of health and childhood development, many strategies for assisting children with autism overlook necessary changes aimed at enhancing well-being. What's more, some professionals and parents still criticise those who advocate for health improvements to enhance the lives of children with autism.

I take pride in being among the early advocates for health improvements. I will offer ideas on how you can enhance your child's health, but I encourage you to chart your own course. Consider implementing strategies to boost your children's well-being, but do so in a manner that aligns with your values. Here are some suggestions to contemplate.

Nutrient-Dense Foods

When selecting foods for our kids, we often prioritise calories over nourishing their bodies with nutrient-rich options. It's time to shift our perspective, emphasising nutrient density rather than caloric intake. To genuinely support our health, we need to provide our cells with the essential nutrients they require to function optimally.

Frequently, we focus on meeting their energy needs with calories, worrying they haven't eaten enough. This leads us to offer calorie-rich options, such as mac and cheese, even if they don’t need the extra fat. Our kids may appear to carry some weight, yet their cells could be starved of nutrients, prompting hunger signals to the brain.

When choosing meat, opt for grass-fed and finished sources. They offer higher quality fats and fatty acids that are beneficial for our bodies and brains. Contrary to popular belief, stable fats from premium sources, along with ample saturated or monounsaturated fats, are actually healthier for us.

Examples of these stable fats include animal fats from grass-fed animals, coconut oil (including MCT oil), avocado oil, and olive oil. However, avoid frying food in these oils, as high temperatures can degrade the fats.

Moreover, incorporating high-quality omega-3 oils into our diet can bring remarkable benefits, particularly for children with autism. These oils are found in fatty fish or available through supplements. For more comprehensive guidance on what foods to add or eliminate from your diet,

I suggest downloading the Bulletproof Diet Roadmap—a valuable resource that can help you make healthier choices and enhance your overall well-being.

Gut Health.

Gut health is increasingly recognised as a vital element of overall wellness, especially for children with autism. The gastrointestinal (GI) system not only facilitates digestion but also significantly impacts the immune system and brain function through the gut-brain axis.

Here are several reasons why maintaining optimal gut health is crucial for children with autism:

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Many children with autism experience GI issues, including constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort. These symptoms can cause distress and may worsen behaviour challenges.

• Nutrient Absorption: A healthy gut is essential for the adequate absorption of nutrients from food, critical for physical growth and cognitive development. Children with compromised gut health might not receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal growth.

• Immune System Regulation: A considerable portion of the body's immune system is located in the gut. An imbalance in gut flora or chronic inflammation may lead to an overactive or underactive immune response, impacting overall health and increasing illness susceptibility.

• Behavioural Influence: Emerging studies indicate a link between gut health and behaviour in individuals with autism. Microbiome imbalances have been associated with mood fluctuations, heightened anxiety, and other behaviours that can affect the quality of life.

• Neurological Effects: The gut-brain axis reflects bidirectional communication between the digestive tract and the central nervous system. This connection implies that poor gut health could directly influence brain function and symptoms related to autism, such as sensory processing issues and social interaction challenges.

• Emotional Well-Being: Discomfort stemming from GI issues can generate stress and irritability, affecting a child’s emotional state and capacity to engage positively with their surroundings. Coupled with neurotransmitter production in a healthy gut, this can enhance emotional well-being.

 

By focusing on gut health through dietary adjustments, probiotic supplements (when recommended by healthcare providers), regular exercise, adequate hydration, stress management techniques, and potential medical interventions when necessary, parents can nurture their child’s digestive well-being in alignment with broader therapeutic goals related to managing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

While there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution given individual variations in symptom presentation and biological factors, prioritising gastrointestinal health is integral to supporting their overall development and quality of life.

Supplements

When thoughtfully chosen, supplements can significantly bolster our at-home approach to managing autism. Incorporating dietary supplements, particularly those that enhance glutathione levels, is a promising area worth exploring within our daily routine.

Generally, supplements should be carefully selected based on the needs of each child in consultation with a healthcare professional. That’s why I highly recommend working with a healthcare expert trained in health promotion rather than just symptom management.

Certain supplements seem to be beneficial for most individuals, including many children on the autism spectrum. Scientific evidence suggests that children with autism often experience heightened levels of inflammation, toxins, and oxidative stress, so supplements addressing these issues may improve their quality of life.

We recognised this need a decade ago as we sought various ways to support our son. Guided by that understanding and blood tests, we realised the significance of glutathione and sought different methods to elevate our son’s levels.

We implemented the standard strategy using N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC), vitamin C, and selenium to boost glutathione, alongside testing various glutathione supplements—ranging from standard tablets to liposomal and transdermal options.

Traditional glutathione supplements often lack effectiveness due to poor absorption; hence we used precursors like NAC. Notably, NAC experienced a worldwide shortage during the pandemic due to its benefits in reducing oxidative damage and removing toxins while also significantly enhancing immune function.

For our son, all of these precursors and traditional glutathione supplements had little to no effect, until we recently found a new form of glutathione supplement that is readily absorbed - Glutaryl.

Although food is the most important thing to focus on for our kids, if there was one supplement that I recommend it would be Glutaryl.

It is the only glutathione supplement that I notice a difference when taking, and have noticed a difference with our son. It uses nanotechnology to ensure the glutathione is absorbed and used by the body.  It's not cheap, but when calculating the ratio of benefit to cost, it comes out on top of everything else because it actually works.

 

To read more about improving health for our kids with autism, please read the post - 4 Ways to Health Autism Naturally at Home.

 

Exercise and Physical Therapies.

Now, let’s explore the advantages of exercise and physical therapies in managing autism at home.

Addressing primitive reflexes and integrating sensory therapies can be effective strategies for enhancing motor skills and sensory processing.

These methods not only facilitate physical development but also contribute to the overall well-being of children on the autism spectrum.

Primitive Reflexes

By incorporating exercises and physical therapies focused on primitive reflexes at home, we can tackle the developmental delays that our children with autism may experience. Through targeted activities woven into our daily routines, we’re not only supporting our kids but also empowering them to overcome barriers that impede their growth.

Here’s how we can positively influence their development:

• Consistent Practice

  • Daily exercises tailored to specific reflexes
  • Engaging activities that promote the development of motor skills

• Professional Guidance

  • Collaborating with therapists for personalised plans
  • Implementing expert advice to ensure correct techniques.

 

Applying these strategies at home creates a nurturing environment where our children can flourish. Let’s work together to foster their independence and improve their quality of life.

I recommend locating an occupational therapist in your area who specialises in primitive reflexes. They can provide tailored exercises for you to practice at home with your children.

For a deeper understanding of primitive reflexes, check out the following post.

Sensory Integration Therapies

Sensory integration refers to the brain's capacity to receive and interpret information from our environment through senses such as touch (tactile), balance (vestibular), and body awareness (proprioceptive), and to respond appropriately. These fundamental senses start forming connections even before birth and continue to develop throughout life as individuals interact with their surroundings.

Dr. A. Jean Ayres made significant contributions to the theory of sensory integration alongside treatment methods rooted in extensive research in neurosciences and physical development. Her pioneering work laid the groundwork for evidence-based therapies that assist individuals with atypical sensory responses—therapies that can greatly enhance comfort and quality of life.

Sensory integration therapy usually involves occupational therapists implementing customised exercises aimed at retraining the brain's reactions to sensory input. Activities may include gentle swinging to stimulate the vestibular sense or engaging in tactile play with various textures to refine touch perception.

The aim is not just to help individuals cope but to enable them to effectively integrate their senses, allowing full participation in everyday activities without feeling overwhelmed by their environment. For many families navigating ASD-related challenges, this type of therapy has been life-changing—enabling children in particular to explore their environments more comfortably and confidently.

For noise sensitivity, specialised therapies like Tomatis and the Safe and Sound Protocol are designed to enhance children’s ability to process sound. Many autistic children have pronounced sensitivities to specific noises, and these therapies can be vital in helping them feel more at ease.

Getting Outside and Having Fun

Regular exercise is also crucial for overall health, providing numerous benefits, such as improved wellness and enhanced oxygen utilisation at the cellular level.

Encouraging exercise should be enjoyable. Tailor activities to align with your child's interests, ensuring that you incorporate some bursts of intense activity sporadically.

I will keep this section brief, but I have explored this topic further in my e-book. I have a bit of a "mad scientist" approach to athletic performance, and my ideas may be new to many and require significant context, so they are best explained in a separate resource. Please download the free e-book for parents of children with autism.

 

Conclusion

As we navigate this journey together, celebrating the distinct paths of our children, we uncover hope and progress within the comforting confines of our homes. By adopting a holistic approach, each activity we engage in serves as a stepping stone toward a brighter future, creating a ripple effect that enhances their overall well-being. Every small effort contributes to a collective improvement, painting a vivid picture of potential and possibility.

It's essential to continue exploring innovative strategies and therapies while remaining flexible in our approach. Each child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. By sharing ideas, resources, and experiences, we can create a supportive community that fosters collaboration and learning. This continuous exploration not only enriches our understanding but also empowers us to make informed decisions for our children's care and development.

Let's be intentional about nurturing an atmosphere in our homes where growth, love, and understanding flourish. We can cultivate spaces that feel safe and inviting, where our incredible children with autism can thrive emotionally, socially, and physically. This supportive environment is crucial in fostering their confidence and independence, allowing them to explore their interests and talents.

Together, we hold the keys to unlocking new possibilities for our children's future. As we support one another and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, we’re paving the way for their brightest potential. Let's remain steadfast in our commitment to advocacy, education, and love, ensuring that our children feel valued and understood as they embark on their extraordinary journeys.