Each child with autism spectrum disorder presents a unique set of challenges that usually manifest before the age of three.
At this early stage, a child’s brain is highly adaptable, a characteristic known as neuroplasticity. This adaptability offers a crucial window to mitigate severe autism symptoms and behaviors through early intervention. Starting behavioral and developmental therapies during this period can lead to substantial positive outcomes.
Developmental screenings are an essential part of wellness visits at Rise & Shine Pediatrics in South Plainfield, NJ, under the care of Dr. Kalpana Kumari. As an autism specialist, Dr. Kumari can detect signs of ASD early enough to implement effective interventions that can greatly enhance your child’s experience with autism.
Autism can present in many forms, with primary signs including:
Signs of ASD can appear as early as 12 months, though they may become more noticeable later. Like many health conditions, autism benefits from early detection and treatment.
Early intervention therapies have been shown to modify a wide range of autistic behaviors. Research indicates that early intervention programs can improve language abilities, social interactions, and IQ scores for children diagnosed with ASD by 30 months or younger.
The concept of intervention therapy for ASD began in the 1980s with applied behavioral analysis (ABA), which used a reward/punishment model to guide children away from extreme autistic behaviors.
Since then, various refined strategies tailored to individual children’s needs have emerged, including:
Additionally, some therapies involve parents, teaching them to recognize and respond to their child’s communication attempts.
One significant challenge in early intervention for children with ASD is diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that only 42% of children with ASD receive developmental evaluations by age three.
Early intervention depends on early diagnosis, so working with your pediatrician to track developmental progress from birth is essential. Dr. Kumari and her team understand the importance of this for your child and incorporate it into their pediatric health monitoring.
Schedule an assessment with Dr. Kumari today to ensure the best outcomes for your child. Call the office at 908-205-0632 or request an appointment online.
