A couple of things my company does that I think should be looked into, if they’re not already:
1.). Work being done in the community if at all possible, instead of behind closed doors or solely at school. My adult group goes on a variety of outings and they form the bulk of those clients’ program. We also have a summer youth group, and some clients receive services this way individually.
We’ve gone to the beach, the local zoo and theme parks, hiking and biking trails, libraries, rock climbing gyms, volunteering events, and more. Clients practice their targeted skills in a variety of settings that they might find themselves in with their families. Getting out of the clinic and in public also produces targets of opportunity that simply would not be possible elsewhere.
2.). A focus on communication and emotional regulation. If a client is able to use speech, a tablet, a keyboard, or options on a whiteboard to communicate what they want or need at any given time, that opens doors to using more appropriate means of accessing support while regulating their emotions. We also practice stress management skills when a requested support is delayed or unavailable.
Ultimately we’re not concerned with whether a client is visibly autistic, we’re concerned with whether the client is able to master skills in those two big areas and use them consistently.
3.). Recognition of the sensory experience. When any of the senses are overdeveloped, underdeveloped, or just plain confusing, that causes a great deal of stress that undermines cognitive function. Humans absolutely suck at solving problems and learning new skills when they’re physically uncomfortable or distracted by their environment, so a lot of my observation is directed to identifying which sensory barriers exist and how to remove them.
