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The 5 Best Therapies for Those on the Autism Spectrum

Autism is a mental health disorder that affects both children and adults. It causes people to behave in certain ways that are considered “abnormal” and make interaction with others very difficult.

While there is no cure for autism, there are treatments that have been shown to help people, including children, improve their social interactions.

The following are five of the best-known therapies for those on the autism spectrum.

 

Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) works very well in helping children and adults. The therapy uses a reward system to encourage positive behaviors.

ABA offers a handful of different treatment options, namely:

  • Discrete trial training
  • Early intensive behavioral intervention
  • Pivotal response training
  • Verbal behavior intervention
  • Positive behavior support

A trained therapist will be able to assess your loved one to determine which of these types of ABA may be the most suitable.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that has been effective in treating both kids and adults with autism. Often, certain thought patterns or emotions can trigger negative behavior in someone with autism. CBT helps individuals identify which thoughts and feelings may be the culprit.

 

Social Skills Training

Social skills training (SST) is very helpful in guiding individuals in developing their social skills. Social interaction can be extremely difficult for those on the autism spectrum. But SST can help them learn how to interact with others in a positive and comfortable way.

 

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is an effective tool for helping people with autism communicate better. Not only will it help children learn how to use words correctly, but it can also help adults improve HOW they communicate their thoughts and feelings.

 

Sensory Integration Therapy

People with autism are often affected by sensory input such as smells, sounds, or light. Sensory integration therapy (SIT) works by controlling an individual’s response to light, sounds, and smells.

If you would like to explore any of these treatment options for your loved one please get in touch with me.

 

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Things to Discuss Before Marriage

“I do.” Two simple enough words. And when you say them on your wedding day, you really mean them. But “I do” can quickly turn into, “I thought I could” when you don’t know exactly who or what you are committing to.

Let’s face it, relationships are tricky and it’s important that you and your partner are 100% open and honest with one another before tying the knot. And that’s exactly why premarital counseling is so beneficial.

Premarital counseling helps couples identify and address potential areas of conflict before those issues have a chance to turn into serious problems. Couples also learn effective communication skills and conflict resolution strategies.

Here are some specific benefits of premarital counseling:

Learn More About Each Other

We always think we know our partner until they do or say something that surprises (and irks) us. Premarital counseling is an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper, more intimate level. 

Confront Challenges Head-On

Couples don’t always discuss potential areas of friction at the beginning. And then real life comes at them and arguments happen. 

For instance, what do you do if you find out each one of you has a different opinion about how finances should be handled? If one of you wants to home school but the other wants your kid to go to public schools?

Premarital counseling offers couples a space to identify potential challenges head-on.

Make Plans for the Future

The brightest futures are the ones with the best-laid plans. Couples counseling can help you create a clear vision of what you want your future to be. A counselor can help you both discuss your individual goals and dreams and how you can combine these to create a future where both of you reach your potential as individuals, as a couple, and eventually as a family unit.

If you and your partner would be interested in exploring premarital counseling, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

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Let Go and Let God – Faith-Based Therapy for Christians

Can spirituality and religion be used as a therapeutic strategy? More and more mental health professionals are finding that God can offer some of their clients more direction than they can.

In the past, many Christians have neglected to get the help they need from a counselor because they were afraid their belief in God would be ignored or, worse, belittled. But many therapists today are either religious/spiritual themselves, or highly respectful of their clients who hold Christian or other beliefs. 

In faith-based therapy sessions, it is common to pray, use forgiveness protocols, and use biblical texts to reinforce healthy mental and emotional habits. Another important aspect of faith-based therapy is that when a therapist is willing to interact in a religious or spiritual way, it helps the client to trust them more. And trust is the most important thing between client and counselor.

Areas Where Faith-Based Counseling is Particularly Helpful

Throughout life, we all face different crises and challenges. And during these times, it is common for people to turn to their faith. 

The following are situations where faith-based counseling can be particularly beneficial:

Marital Issues

For many Christians and people of other faiths, marriage is a life-long commitment and divorce is simply not an option. Faith-based therapy can help husbands and wives find their way back to one another through love, kindness, and respect.

The Challenges of Parenting

None of us are given an instruction manual for how to raise our children. But the Bible certainly contains wisdom and lessons that are applicable to parents. 

Anxiety and Depression

There are many ways to deal with and treat anxiety and depression. From cognitive-behavioral therapy to medications, traditional therapy can definitely help. But for some people, the real strength and answers they are seeking come from a higher source.

Loss of a Loved One

Sooner or later, all of us must deal with the loss of loved ones. While therapy can help take us through the steps of grieving, our faith is what helps us to truly heal, because we know we will see our loved ones someday.

Are You Looking for Help?

If you have been wanting to speak with a mental health professional but feared they may reject your religion, I urge you to seek out a counselor who practices faith-based therapy. 

And if you live in the area (or even if you don’t because I offer telehealth services), I practice faith-based therapy for Christians and people of other religions. Reach out to me and let’s talk about how I can help!

 

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Stress’s Physiological Impact on the Body

The old saying goes, “Into every life a little rain must fall.” Stress is like rain. A little of it can be a good thing. But too much can cause havoc and devastation.

Our bodies are designed to handle a little bit of acute or sudden stress. But when stress is prolonged or becomes chronic, it can have devastating consequences to our health.

Here are just some of the ways stress can negatively impact your body:

Respiratory Issues

Prolonged stress can lead to respiratory issues such as shortness of breath. Individuals who do not have an underlying respiratory disease may not be very impacted. But for those with pre-existing conditions such as COPD and asthma, stress can dangerously exacerbate the situation.

Heart Health

When we’re stressed we are in fight or flight mode. This causes our heart to beat faster and our blood vessels to dilate. In short-term scenarios, these physical manifestations help get us out of danger.

But for prolonged periods, this can put a lot of stress on our heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Gut Health

Did you know that 80% of your immune system is located in your gut? It’s incredibly important to ensure your gut is healthy!

But chronic stress can wreak havoc on your gut as it changes the beneficial gut bacteria. And a change in this bacteria can negatively impact your mood. And when you’re already feeling stressed, the last thing you need is to also feel depressed.

Sexual Health

Both the male and female reproductive systems are influenced by the nervous system. When we are stressed, our sexual hormones can get out of balance and we can lose sexual desire. Men may find it hard to achieve and maintain an erection. Stress can also make it hard to conceive and affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

As you can see, stress can really impact your physical health in a negative way. While we can’t stop the rain from falling or stress from entering our lives, we can practice healthy stress management. That means eating right, getting enough exercise, and quality sleep each night.

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