Older children and teenagers on the autism spectrum can often feel isolated by their peers. Creating opportunities for social engagement can improve their overall quality of life and lessen the impact of other comorbid conditions that could make autism symptoms worse. Investing in the following therapies and supports for your teen is typically necessary for personal growth.

Multidisciplinary Pediatric Therapy 

Pediatric therapy can be given to children and teens until they reach adulthood. Teens on the autism spectrum may need a therapist who specializes in multiple disciplines, like ABA, CBT, speech therapy, and physical therapy, to increase their happiness and independence.

For example, ABA therapy in Virginia can provide home, community, and clinic-based treatment. They create individualized treatment plans that can help improve social-emotional skills.

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)

Considered the gold standard for children and teens on the autism spectrum, ABA therapy is used to help improve social, communication, and learning skills through positive reinforcement. 

Through frequent evaluation, ABA therapists can help children and teens feel more confident interacting with others without making them feel like they must hide aspects of themselves. For example, teens will learn how to speak about their interests without forgetting to ask for the other person's input. Some end goals of treatment include:

  • Communicating more effectively 
  • Clearly asking for things they want
  • Maintaining focus in school
  • Preventing or reducing self-harming behaviors
  • Reducing outbursts or tantrums
  • Showing interest in others around them

ABA therapists will create a plan that suits your teen's unique needs. Everyone on the spectrum is different and may need to prioritize one aspect of treatment over another. 

Speech, Physical, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Teens who have difficulties with their speech or gross motor skills may have to seek a physical or speech therapist to close the gap between their peers. CBT can help replace negative thoughts with positive ones, improving self-esteem and making your teen feel more relaxed. All three therapy types can reduce and manage the stress associated with autism.

Training Available for Autistic Teens

Social Skills Training

Social skills are learned through interacting with others, but teens with autism may miss non-verbal cues more often than those without the disorder. 

Autism doesn’t make someone unempathetic, as people with the disorder are high in cognitive empathy or the ability to logically understand why a person would be upset. However, some emotional rules are challenging to teach in a traditional classroom setting.

Programs like Stop Think Do pair autistic children or teens up with each other under teacher supervision, so they can understand nuances in speech or body language. Therapists will usually help teens individually first to teach them these skills without pressure.

Cathartic Art Training (Cartooning)

Autistic teens and children can use cartooning strategies to use visual symbols as a means to get complicated emotions off their chests. All teens have difficulties explaining their feelings to others, but giving them an alternative way to express them can be helpful. Through art, autistic teens could turn a confusing event into something they can understand, tackle and learn from.

Peer Training

Society is taught that those with physical or mental difficulties are supposed to adapt to the world around them when the opposite should be true. Through peer training, children without autism will be able to understand how to socialize with others they perceive as different. 

Classmates who are interested in getting to know your teen or siblings who want to understand their brother or sister better could benefit from peer training. Classrooms could also teach children and teens how to interact with and appreciate the differences in others.

Modeling Training

Autistic teens typically have an easier time learning new concepts through modeling. Academic tasks, skills for hygiene and self-care, and using our facial expressions appropriately can be taught through modeling. A parent, teacher, or friend could help the teen practice smiling while saying hello, or changing their tone of voice when appropriate.