• Autism
  • About Us
  • Ways to Give
    • Participate
      • Toys R Us Canada Play packs
      • World Autism Month
        • Meet Ileana
        • Meet Lindsay
        • Meet Mackenna
        • Meet Daud
        • Meet Griffin
        • Meet Dr. Catherine G.
        • Meet Wanda Deschamps
        • Meet Jackie McMillan
        • Meet Steven Atme
        • Meet Jack Baranoff
        • Meet Olivier St-Amour
      • Autism Speaks Canada Walk
        • marchons
        • Current and Past Ambassadors
      • Autism Speaks Canada bubly Smile Day
      • Autism Speaks Canada Virtual Dog Walk & Auction
      • Game On with Autism Speaks Canada
      • Giving Tuesday
      • Facebook Fundraisers
      • Fundraise Your Way
      • Team Up!
      • One-Time Gifts
      • Monthly Giving
      • Honour Someone Special
      • Support an Event Participant
      • Birthdays with Echoage
      • Estate and Tax Smart Giving
      • Donate a Car
    • Become a Partner
      • Meet Our Partners
        • Gifted Canada
        • Vancouver Foundation
        • McConnell Foundation
        • Azrieli Foundation
        • Scentsy Canada
        • Samsung Canada
        • Randstad
        • Metrocon Ready Mix Corp.
        • PepsiCo
        • dentalcorp
        • Cadillac Fairview
        • Cherry Hill
        • ToysRUs/BabiesRUs
        • Equitable Life of Canada
        • KRG
        • Cineplex
        • Kernels
        • NFP
        • Bank of Montreal
        • A Buyer's Choice
        • Echoage
        • Donate a Car
        • Canadian Heritage - Government of Canada
        • Globe Meats Fresh Market and Grill
        • Nutrience
      • Cash and In-Kind Donations
      • Cause Related Marketing
      • Corporate Teams
      • Event Hosting
      • Matching Gifts
      • Sponsorship
      • Corporate Volunteering
      • Workplace Giving
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Stories
    • Merchandise
  • Science, Services & Supports
    • Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Results
    • COVID-19 Information and Resources by our Autism Response Team
      • Families & Caregivers Looking for Children Resources
      • Adults on the Spectrum Looking for Resources
      • Virtual Events for Everyone
      • Other Useful Links for Everyone
      • Surveys
    • Science
      • Science News
      • Grant Search
      • Apply for Grants or Fellowships
      • MSSNG
      • Autism Treatment Network
        • ATN@Work
      • Participate In Research
        • Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Developmental Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
        • Caring for the Caregiver
        • Kids Brain Health Network
        • Family Participation in Research
        • It Takes Brains
        • Interactive Autism Network
        • Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
        • University of Toronto
        • York University
      • Science Blogs
      • Science Digest
        • Spring 2018
    • Family Services
      • Family Services Community Grants
        • FSCG Grant Review Volunteers
      • Family Services Special Targeted Initiatives Grants
        • Integrated Services for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ISAND)
        • Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN)
      • Family Services Partnerships
        • Family Services Community Grants
        • Tablet Program
        • Sensory Friendly Screenings
        • Sensory Friendly Santa – Enjoy a Virtual Visit with Santa!
      • Worktopia
    • Resources
      • Apps
      • Technology Central
      • Going Out to Eat
      • Health & Wellness
      • Bullying
      • Wandering
      • Templates for Personalized Teaching Stories
      • Community Connections
      • My Job Chart
      • Resource Library
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Accessing Government Services
      • Your Religious Community
    • ASC Connect
  • News, Media Request & Contact Us
    • News
      • News
        • Autism Speaks Canada joins disability groups calling for priority access to COVID vaccine for people with autism
        • Autism Speaks Canada's statement about the Alek Minassian case and its misrepresentation of autism
        • ASC, CASDA, and MacART come together to present the Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey Report
        • SickKids researchers find new genes and variations linked to autism using Autism Speaks' MSSNG data
        • Toys R Us Canada in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada is proud to launch discounted play packs
        • Olivier, Our Dog Walk Ambassador Is in the News
        • Covid-19, We Are in This Together
        • Advocates and researchers discuss solutions to reduce autism health care disparities
        • Justin Trudeau Announces Endorsement for Development of a National Autism Strategy
        • Join Us in Creating a Brighter Life on the Spectrum
        • Media Advisory: Trudeau Is Only Major Party Leader Not Committed To A National Autism Strategy
        • Large family-based study finds 80 percent of autism risk is from inherited genes
        • Autism Speaks Canada is excited to announce their new partnership with MKM group and Shattered Dreams Esports
        • Autism Speaks awards more than $4.7 million for autism research
        • Autism Speaks Canada is excited to announce their new partnership with bubly sparkling water beverage
        • Six Autism Speaks studies on 2018 list of top advances in autism
        • Senator Munson's Visit to McMaster May 21, 2019
        • Community Connections Inspire Samsung Canada and Autism Speaks Canada
        • Autism Speaks Canada's annual Walk comes to Waterloo this Sunday
        • Autism Speaks Canada's annual Walk comes to Toronto
        • Autism Speaks' MSSNG project reaches 10,000-genome milestone
        • The Canada Council for the Arts Reveals the 2019 Killam Program Winners
        • Light It up Blue With Autism Speaks Canada
        • Response to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
        • DNAstack and Autism Speaks® Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Scientific Discovery on One of the World's Largest Autism Genome Databases
        • Autism Speaks launches $1.5 million funding opportunity for treatment studies
        • Whole genome sequencing reveals new type of genetic influence on autism
        • Understanding the 2018 National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS) Report
        • Autism Speaks releases new strategic plan for science
        • World's largest autism genome databank adds more than 2,000 sequences
        • Support Rooted in Desire to Improve Lives
        • Samsung Canada, Silken Laumann and Autism Speaks Canada Invite Canadians to Learn the Love Spectrum
        • Your ATN@Work: Treating anxiety in children and teens with autism
        • Your ATN@Work: Recognizing anxiety in children and teens with autism
        • Expanding Service Options for Children and Youth with Autism
        • Tracing autism's trajectories could help explain its diversity
        • Gathering MSSNG Insights on Autism
        • Thomas Frazier to join Autism Speaks as Chief Science Officer
        • Study Aims to Crack Autism Code
        • Ontario Ombudsman has released the report, Nowhere to Turn
        • The Autism World: Choosing In
        • The Government of Canada wants your input as they develop accessibility legislation
        • The University of Windsor is looking for fathers across Canada
        • Autism Speaks MSSNG study expands understanding of autism's complex genetics.
        • Choices Markets to Host Fundraiser to Raise Awareness and Funds for Autism Speaks Canada
        • The Sinneave Family Foundation and Autism Speaks Canada Partner With Organizations Across Canada to Improve Employment Futures for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
        • Ontario Providing More Supports For Children With Autism
        • Autism Speaks ATN/AIR-P researchers present studies at IMFAR
        • More than 5,000 whole genome sequences now available for research into autism subtypes and personalized treatments
        • Spokesperson for the Minister answers FAQ's regarding Ontario Autism Program
        • Giving children roots and wings: the struggle to understand autism.
        • Information for families about changes to autism services for children & youth
        • Ontario Budget Announcement
        • Ontario government announces new Ontario Autism Program with investment of $333 million over the next five years
        • 'Aging Out': What happens when children with ASD get older?
        • PBS NewsHour Looks at MSSNG Genome Project
        • New Canada-U.S. Partnership Paves the Way for International Collaborations in Autism Research
        • Autism Speaks Launches MSSNG Portal for Open-Access Genomics Research
        • Choices Markets to Host Fundraiser to Raise Awareness and Funds for Autism Speaks Canada
        • Kinetic Sand Teams Up with Autism Speaks to Raise Awareness
        • Learning to better understand autism spectrum disorder
        • 2014 Family Services Community Grants Announcement
        • Cineplex and Autism Speaks to offer Sensory Friendly Screenings
        • Diversity in Developmental Trajectories in Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder
        • Largest genome sequencing study finds surprises: siblings' autism may have different genetic causes
COVID-19 Information and Resources
  • EN
    • FR
  • A A
  • Accessibility
  • Donate Now
 
Autism Speaks EN Autism Speaks EN
  • Autism
  • About Us
  • Ways to Give
  • Science, Services & Supports
  • News, Media Request & Contact Us
  1. Home
  2. About Autism
  3. What is Autism
  4. Autism Therapies and Supports
  • What is Autism
    • From First Concern to Action
    • Step 1: Learn the Signs of Autism
    • Step 2: Get Your Child Screened for Autism
    • Step 3: Access Autism Services
    • Learn More About Autism
    • Autism's Associated Medical and Mental-Health Conditions
    • Autism Therapies and Supports
    • What Causes Autism?

Donate Landing photo

Events Calendar Landing photo

Find an Event Landing photo

Volunteer Landing photo

MSSNG landing photo

Autism Therapies and Supports

The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as appropriate, with a qualified healthcare professional and/or behavioral therapist.

If you or your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, also see these Autism Speaks tool kits:

  • 100 Day Kit for Families of Newly Diagnosed Young Children
  • 100 Day Kit for Families of Newly Diagnosed School Age Children
  • Is It Autism and If So, What Next? A Guide for Adults

Each child or adult with autism is unique. Treatments and supports that work for one may not work for another. As a result, each person’s treatment plan should follow a thorough evaluation of strengths as well as challenges.

Depending on their needs, children who have autism can receive a broad range of therapies. Typically, they include a combination of behavior therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training and sometimes feeding therapy. In addition, parents may receive training on how to work with their children at home. Ideally, parents, teachers and therapists will all work together to integrate their approaches across the child’s daily life.

Behavioral therapies are the foundation of treatment for most children on the autism spectrum. When behavioral therapies are not enough to curb harmful behaviors, the family may want to discuss other options, such as adding medication, with their child’s doctor. It’s crucial that this discussion – and the highly personal decision that results – include consideration of benefits balanced against side effects.

The therapies described above have the backing of research showing their effectiveness for people who have autism. Autism Speaks Canada encourages parents and adults to pursue treatments that are evidence based.

To learn more, also see these Autism Speaks ATN/AIR-P tool kits:

  • An Introduction to Behavioural Health Treatments
  • Applied Behaviour Analysis: A Parent’s Guide
  • Autism: Should My Child Take Medicine for Challenging Behavior?
  • Also see: Complementary treatments for autism

Early intervention for autism

Autism can be reliably diagnosed by age 2 – in some instances, as young as 18 months of age. Early diagnosis is important because research shows that high-quality early intervention can improve learning, social skills and daily function well into the school-age years, and likely across the lifespan.

Early intervention involves a child's entire family working closely with a team of professionals. In some early intervention programs, therapists come into the home to deliver services. This can include parent training, which involves the parent leading therapy sessions under the supervision of the therapist. Other programs deliver therapy in a specialized center, classroom or preschool.

Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of several intensive early intervention programs based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). They include the Early Start Denver Model, Pivotal Response Therapy and JASPER(Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation). These programs emphasize play-based interactions that encourage shared, or joint, attention and communication. Although these specific programs may not be available in your area, their principles can be integrated into your child’s program.  

Your child’s early intervention program should also enlist the appropriate specialists needed to address any autism-related sensory, speech, language, feeding and motor issues. Such specialists include occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists and others.

For more information on each of the above therapies, see How is autism treated? (from the 100 Day Tool Kit). Also see: How to access services for your child

Intervention for school-age children

Additional interventions and supports become appropriate as a child develops and acquires social and learning skills. As children with autism enter school, for example, they may benefit from targeted communication and social skills training, as well as specialized approaches to teaching. Federal law guarantees that these autism-related services be provided through a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

To learn more, see The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Guide and Other Resources

Adolescents with autism can also benefit from transition services that promote a successful path toward independence and employment opportunities in adulthood.

To learn more, see the Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit.

Therapies and supports for adults

Some adults with autism don’t want treatment, per se. They may embrace their differences, yet need certain accommodations, or supports, tailored to their personal challenges. Take, for example, the extreme sensitivities to certain sounds, smells or lights that are common among people with autism. Someone on the spectrum may need a classroom or workplace accommodation to ease these sensory issues.

Adults severely affected by autism may need more-extensive supports such as vocational services, home-based and community-based services. This is particularly true when someone with autism also has an intellectual disability, as is the case for around a third of people on the autism spectrum.

If you are an adult looking for treatment options, it’s particularly important to explore your strengths alongside your challenges. The more you understand your strengths and needs, the better you and your healthcare provider can tailor therapies and supports that help you achieve the life you want. This guidance is likewise appropriate for the parent or caregiver of an adult who needs assistance in setting up a supportive network of services.

For instance, many adults on the spectrum struggle with communication and social challenges that can interfere with obtaining or maintaining employment, establishing and fostering relationships and achieving independence and quality of life. This can result in social isolation, anxiety, depression and problems with emotional control.

As a result, many adults seek help from a social worker or other mental health professional who has experience working with adults on the spectrum. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is one practical, skill-building approach that has helped many people on the autism spectrum. It involves examining problematic beliefs and behaviors, and so, is best suited for those who can communicate through verbal or nonverbal means. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), though developed and studied primarily in children, also helps some adults on the autism spectrum. Many mental health clinics can provide referrals to social skills workshops and support groups for adults who have autism.

To learn more about CBT and ABA for adults, also see “How Is Autism Treated?” in Is It Autism and If So, What Next? A Guide for Adults

Whether or not an adult on the spectrum seeks treatment, he or she may want and need accommodations or supports for autism-related challenges. These challenges can include sensitivities to certain types of lighting, sounds and smells, as well as difficulty with social communication and/or unanticipated changes in routine. As with any disability, reasonable accommodations can help the adult with autism succeed in higher education, the workplace and the community.

Also see these Autism Speaks Canada resources:

  • Housing and community living
  • Autism and employment
  • Worktopia
  • Postsecondary educational opportunities
Contact Us
  • 2450 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 400
    Toronto, ON M2J 4A2
  • Local: 416-362-6227
  • Toll Free: 1-888-362-6227
  • Fax: 416-362-6228
  • About
  • ASC Connect
  • Get Involved
  • Science, Services & Resources
  • Ways to Give
  • News
  • Media Request & Contact Us
Our Partners
Nutrience
Globe Meats Fresh Market and Grill
Canadian Heritage - Government of Canada
Donate a Car
Echoage
A Buyer's Choice
Bank of Montreal
NFP
Kernels
Cineplex
KRG
Equitable Life of Canada
ToysRUs/BabiesRUs
Cherry Hill
Cadillac Fairview
dentalcorp
PepsiCo
Metrocon Ready Mix Corp.
Randstad
Samsung Canada
  • © 2021 Autism Speaks Canada
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy