Receiving news that your child has autism can be overwhelming and confusing. While it's a relief to finally have answers to the things that your child has been struggling with, it can be a time of uncertainty as you try to figure out the best treatment path for his or her unique struggles. Although most every child with autism experiences many of the same types of symptoms and issues, their severity and the way that those symptoms present can vary based on where he or she is on the spectrum. Here's what you need to know about some autism treatment options.

Speech Therapy

Many children with severe autism are nonverbal, and others who do speak often struggle with the nuances of tone, language, and pronunciations. Speech therapy is designed to help with these issues. One of the first things that speech therapy focuses on is functional communication. That is, teaching your child to communicate his or her spontaneous wants and needs. Where most children will just tell you when they are hungry, need to use the bathroom, or want to play, some children with autism cannot do that. Using alternative communication means, such as digital devices, children begin to learn how to express those needs and wants, even if by pushing a button to make their tablet say it for them.

Other focuses of speech therapy include teaching kids with autism how to engage with and communicate with people voluntarily. Instead of only speaking when spoken to, which is common for kids on the spectrum, children learn to take initiative in communication by being taught how to initiate conversation. Once this is done, the focus shifts to social communication skills, which includes teaching kids how to interact with others respectfully, how to have a back-and-forth conversation, and how to respond to those who are speaking.

Occupational Therapy

Kids on the spectrum can also have trouble with motor skills and completing basic tasks. Occupational therapy focuses on teaching kids how to use their muscle groups properly, how to care for themselves, and how to complete day-to-day tasks, like getting dressed, preparing snacks, and even writing. Occupational therapy uses a variety of techniques, including separating beads to encourage fine motor skills and cognitive processing.

Applied Behavioral Therapy

In recent years, applied behavioral therapy, sometimes referred to as ABA, has become increasingly popular for kids with autism. It uses a system of rewards to encourage behaviors. The key to this type of therapy is to determine exactly what motivates each specific child. This involves understanding their interests and their likes. For some kids, it could mean a piece of candy when they get a task correct. For others, perhaps it means a new book about their current interest.The reward system often encourages faster progress toward goals because the child sees that they are getting something out of it.