Autism

Autism

Autism, a complex neurobiological disorder that affects childhood development and lasts a lifetime, is now a recognized epidemic. Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

Research has proven the effectiveness of early and intense intervention in stopping the rapid decline frequently seen in the early stages of autism. At the Cadenza Center, we provide a wide range of clinical services designed to diagnose and treat Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PPD-NOS), Asperger Syndrome, and Autistic Disorder.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills and music therapy, supervised play therapy/social groups and an appropriate educational program can play key roles in the recovery from autism.

Many types of therapy can play a significant role in treating autism. At the Cadenza Center, our specialized staff can address many treatment needs including:

  • diagnostic assessments
  • psychoeducational evaluations
  • individual and family-centered treatment
  • behavior modification
  • parent guidance
  • social skills groups
  • music therapy
  • art therapy
  • individualized tutoring

Our highly trained staff has experience working with toddlers and preschoolers through adulthood. Since no two individuals with autism have identical needs, the Cadenza Center clinicians are able to implement individualized treatment to meet each client’s needs.

Diagnostic Assessments and Psychoeducational Evaluations

Dr. Michelle Reitman has been treating individuals with autism spectrum disorders for nearly 20 years in a wide range of roles – initially as a music therapist and contracted therapist for private schools and programs. More recently, she has worked in the capacity of a clinical psychologist, advocating for individuals’ needs during Individual Education Plan meetings at schools, testifying with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and presenting at numerous local and national events.

While a more comprehensive description of our evaluations can be found here, an evaluation to diagnose autism often requires an extended test battery. Most often, a detailed developmental history is required in order to establish a time frame for the onset of emotional, behavioral, cognitive, or social delays. In addition, Dr. Michelle Reitman may choose to administer tests specifically designed for identification of autism spectrum disorders including:

  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS)
  • Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS)
  • Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
  • Asperger’s Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS)
  • Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT)
  • Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
  • Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavioral Inventory (PDDBI)
  • Test of Problem Solving (TOPS)
  • Sensory Profile
  • Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - II

Clinical Treatments & Therapies

At the Cadenza Center, we believe that a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary to effectively treat autism. Our clinical psychologists can function as consultants and leaders in the treatment team that might include speech and occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and educational consultants. For this reason, we welcome open dialogue between all members of the team as well as the opportunity to attend school meetings, review treatment records and therapy evaluations, and compare data from various sources to ensure that each client receives consistent and appropriate intervention.

Play Therapy, Social Skills and Group Therapy

For some children with autism, the typical childhood activities are difficult, if not impossible without direct instruction and intervention. A primary deficit area often address includes difficulties in making and maintaining friendships. For both adults and children on the autism spectrum disorder, there is a commonly-accepted fallacy that they are alone by choice. Play therapy and social groups are key to helping children with autism learn social reciprocity and other social behaviors.

For adolescents and children with more mild difficulties, social groups are key in helping them navigate the less obvious aspects of behavior. Deficits in linguistic problem-solving, idiomatic language and figures of speech, assertiveness skills, and social perception often require supportive and direct intervention. Through carefully matching peers with others who have complementary needs, our clinicians facilitate social groups that cover topics such as teasing/bullying, asking and answering questions, cooperating and sharing, decision making, initiating and sustaining conversation, affect recognition, non-verbal skills, problem-solving, and positive behavior. Most of our social groups use the interactions as they arise between group members to build empathy, understanding, and self-expression.

Individual Therapy and Mentoring

In adults, particularly those who receive a diagnosis of Asperger during their post-secondary years, re-evaluation via a psychoeducational is often necessary to determine needs. In addition, the psychoeducational evaluation also establishes continued need for educational accommodations and modifications. Our evaluations are accepted at schools (both public and private) as well as colleges and major universities. In addition, on-going supportive psychotherapy may also be needed as individuals navigate their work environment, begin dating, and venture into independent living. Our therapists assist individuals by identifying priorities, addressing self-organization skills, improving assertiveness skills, and promoting positive problem-solving skills.

Music Therapy for Autism

Music therapy has been widely accepted to treat autism for decades. Its benefits are in helping the child with special needs attain goals such as:

  • Increased attention
  • Improved behavior
  • Decreased self-stimulation
  • Enhanced auditory processing
  • Improved cognitive functioning
  • Decreased agitation
  • Increased socialization
  • Improved verbal skills
  • Successful and safe self-expression
  • Enhanced sensory-motor skills

Music therapy can also used as a key to socialization goals, for instance when a school-aged child graduates to inclusive environments that include band, chorus and orchestra. As shown in research, clients who received music therapy were able to generalize the communication, behavioral and cognitive gains to non-music settings.

Whether in group or individually, music therapy can help enhance any treatment plan for children or adults, across settings including schools, clinics, home or hospital.

Cadenza Center clinicians are well qualified to diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorders. We can help you create an appropriate treatment plan. Contact Cadenza Center at 954-925-3191 or via email today.

 

"Cadenza Center for Psychotherapy and the Arts"