At White River Academy, we aim to provide quality treatment to all in need. Our team is equipped to assist in treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorder affects children in two significant ways. First, it can make it harder for them to communicate and socialize with others. Second, it can cause kids to have repetitive behaviors and limited interests. It is understood that children who have ASD need specialized and tailored treatment to make their quality of life progress. One of the major ways we help treat ASD is by using Applied Behavioral Analysis. This type of treatment assists in teaching the individual how to interact with peers and themselves. A crucial focus of Applied Behavioral Analysis is teaching the individual not to harm themselves. People who have ASD often conflict self-harm. Another critical treatment tool that we use at White River Academy is Occupational Therapy.
Simple daily tasks, such as fine motor skills, cleaning, eating, dressing, and more, are taught in repetitive waves to help progress the individual to a self-sufficient state.
Occupational Therapy allows the individual to receive direct help. Simple daily tasks, such as fine motor skills, cleaning, eating, dressing, and more, are taught in repetitive waves to help progress the individual to a self-sufficient state. The individual is introduced to new experiences to help them grow. For example, new foods are introduced slowly to show that growth can be achieved. New activities are presented to help integrate the individual into a peer-driven setting, such as sports, service projects, puzzles, games, and more. Some individuals require speech therapy to grow in their vocabulary or in their way of communication. The therapist teaches the individual and then notifies staff members to help make sure the task is repeated throughout the day. For example, the therapist may teach that raising your hand is the proper way to ask for something in a classroom setting. The daily staff will hold the individual accountable and remind them to raise their hand when wanting to interact with an authority figure, then report back to the therapist to see how the behavior is coming along. This is repeated to help create positive habits for the individual. We understand that every individual is different, and we are more than prepared and willing to assist in creating healthy habits for those in need!