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New Early Autism Testing May Help Kids Get ABA Therapy Sooner
It’s well-established that the sooner a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the earlier they can begin interventions like ABA therapy – and thus the more positive their long-term prognosis. It’s the reason the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all kids 18 to 30 months be screened for autism. A diagnosis before the age of 2.5 is linked to considerable improvement in social symptoms – most likely because the younger the child, the greater the brain’s plasticity and behavioral flexibility.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports the rate of autism prevalence has more than tripled in recent years – from 1 in 150 in 2000 to 1 in 54 in 2021. Much of this likely has to do with better diagnostic tools. We’re getting better at catching it – and there is less stigma with a diagnosis, so parents are more open to beginning early interventions, such as ABA therapy.
FOCUS Therapy provides Fort Myers ADOS testing for autism. This is a well-established, effective assessment for determining autism risk. (It’s not a matter of “pass” or “fail,” but rather a tool pediatric neurologists, developmental specialists, and psychiatrists rely on when deciding whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate.) We can conduct ADOS testing on kids as young as 12 months, though most are issued somewhere between 18 months and 4 years.
“By the time we get to age 4, so much brain development has already happened,” explained FOCUS Therapy Owner/Founder Jen Voltz-Ronco, also a speech therapist. “Our goal is always to catch it as early as humanly possible.”
Now, there is new – potentially ground-breaking – research indicating other screening tools might have the ability to flag autism risk factors even sooner.
One of those is in the early stages of development – a first-of-its-kind analysis that purports to identify autism risk markers from a single strand of hair – just one centimeter in length. This is exciting because if it proves effective, it could help identify autism in children while they’re still just a few months old – before they even miss any developmental milestones.
Created by a company called LinusBio, it doesn’t yet have federal approval. And like the ADOS test, it wouldn’t be the final word on a diagnosis. Rather, it could be used to aid physicians in diagnostics It would flag exposure to certain metals and other substances (usually during the third trimester of pregnancy) that have been associated with higher autism risk.
Research recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that it accurately predicted autism in 81 percent of the babies it tested. Researchers say they’re hoping this technology could be fine-tuned to allow for even greater accuracy so that kids can begin early intervention treatments like ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy even sooner.
A second promising study by researchers at Duke University revealed an algorithm created from children’s health records could flag autism risk as early as a baby’s first month of life. Study authors say infants who are diagnosed with autism often have very different early health care patterns than neurotypical children. The condition is characterized by difficulties with communication and behaviors, but babies who are later diagnosed with autism often have much higher rates of issues with gastrointestinal systems, gross motor development, sleep, and vision. These patterns – which were analyzed in the medical records of some 45,000 children over the course of five years – were assessed by this new algorithm to identify autism risk very early with astonishing accuracy. That doesn’t necessarily mean a 1-month-old will be diagnosed, but it will give parents and physicians an idea of that child’s relative risk – so that the ball can get rolling on the earliest interventions possible.
If you think your child may have autism, it is best not to wait-and-see. Early intervention is essential – and we can help! FOCUS provides ADOS testing for autism, as well as ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
FOCUS Therapy offers ABA therapy and ADOS testing to children in Lee County, Florida.
Additional Resources:
A new test for autism hopes to help doctors diagnose before symptoms show, Jan. 5, 2023, By Evan Bush, NBC News
More Blog Entries:
How ABA Therapy Can Help Kids, Feb. 6, 2023, Fort Myers ABA therapy Blog
Risk Factors for Child Speech Delays – Fort Myers Speech Therapist Insight
Child speech delays are very common. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, an estimated 1 in 10 children has delayed speech or language development. As any Fort Myers speech therapist will tell you, the earlier such delays are diagnosed, the faster they can be treated – and the better the long-term prognosis. This is why increasingly, practitioners do NOT recommend a “wait-and-see” approach if a child speech delay is suspected.
Beyond that, research shows that certain children may be at higher risk than others.
One recently-published, peer-reviewed cross-sectional study on child speech delay risk factors, researchers identified the following markers:
- Males
- Long-term sucking habits
- Pre-term birth
- Low birth weight
- Problems during pregnancy or complications during birth (including hypertension, preeclampsia, etc.)
- Hearing problems
- Frequent middle ear infections
- Oropharyngeal deformity (occurring in the middle of the throat)
- Family history of speech and language delay (65 percent of those in the study had a first-degree relative with a similar condition)
- Being first-born
- Earlier introduction to screen time
- Maternal illiteracy
Fort Myers Speech Therapist Can Treat Speech Delays Regardless of Cause
Of course, there’s no single risk factor that guarantees a child will have speech delays. Obviously, not all first-born children are going to be late in talking. But these findings do underscore something any Fort Myers speech therapist is likely to tell you as well: There’s an element of both nature and nurture at play. Some of it involves genetics, but the risk can be further elevated by environmental factors (like earlier screen time, less face-to-face interactions, less time spent reading to a child, etc.).
Of course, this is just one study, and it’s limited by the fact that the pool of those studied are only those who received care at a single hospital over a period of time. But there is a great deal of additional research that backs these findings – and identifies other risk factors as well.
Child speech delays can have MANY underlying causes, often overlapping. Some of these include:
- Cognitive disabilities
- Autism
- Receptive aphasia
- Psychosocial deprivation
- Expressive language disorder
- Premature birth
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
Sometimes, there’s no obvious cause – and that’s Ok! A Fort Myers speech therapist can treat the symptoms and focus on helping the child catch up to where they need to be for their developmental age – regardless of whether we ever zero in on the “why.”
Although it’s true that children develop at varying rates and a singular red flag isn’t cause for alarm, missed milestones shouldn’t be ignored. A physician’s referral is typically required for a child to undergo a speech-language evaluation by a Fort Myers speech therapist. If you aren’t sure whether to raise your concerns to your child’s pediatrician, FOCUS offers free initial screenings. This will provide you with something beyond your own concern to bring to the doctor when requesting a more in-depth assessment.
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Speech and language delay in children: Prevalence and risk factors, May 2019, Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
More Blog Entries:
Break Those Bad Screen Time Habits With These Tips From FOCUS Therapy, March 17, 2023, Fort Myers Speech Therapist Blog
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How Meds & Pediatric Therapies Together Can Help Kids With Attention/Behavior Issues Reach Maximum Potential
As experienced providers of pediatric therapies in Southwest Florida (specifically, speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA therapy, and physical therapy), our team at FOCUS Therapy in Fort Myers is sometimes asked whether kids receiving these services might still benefit from medication – or whether kids on medication truly need pediatric therapies.
Short answer? It depends.
Every child, every condition is different. The primary voice of authority, of course, is your child’s pediatrician and specialists. But don’t discount input from the pediatric therapists who are providing intervention services to your child.
As experienced practitioners who each work with dozens of kids daily: We generally do not recommend medication as the first treatment option for a lot of children diagnosed with conditions like speech-language delay, developmental disabilities, certain neurological/neurodevelopmental conditions, and behavioral health issues. BUT – sometimes, for certain kids – pediatric therapies in combination with medications can do wonders in helping the child reach their maximum potential.
We encourage parents to keep an open mind, ask questions, and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their kids’ doctors and pediatric therapists.
What Type of Medications Are We Talking?
Obviously, if a child has a health condition like epilepsy or congenital heart disease or diabetes – the medications they take are typically far less of a controversy/up for debate.
What we’re mainly referring to here are medications prescribed for conditions related to lack of attention/focus/behavioral regulation. These include prescriptions like Adderall, Dexadrine, Focalin, Ritalin, etc. It might also include antipsychotic medications recommended for behavioral issues, such as Risperdal.
There isn’t a black-and-white answer that’s going to work for every child, every condition, or every age. The reality is choosing the right treatment for your child can be complicated. We fully understand that. Parents of kids with co-morbidities (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD/ADD], Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, etc.) – they often have to make tough choices about the best combination of care needed to help their kids thrive.
Where to Start: Therapy vs. Medication
Jennifer Voltz-Ronco, MS/CCC-SLP and FOCUS Therapy Owner & Founder, has nearly two decades of experience in pediatrics. She’s also a parent and has herself been diagnosed with ADD (for which she receives medication). She generally advises parents to start with the least invasive treatment, and then go from there.
“Medicine generally isn’t what I would consider the first ‘go-to’ for small kids,” Voltz-Ronco says. “When it comes to young bodies and developing minds, It’s best to begin with therapy because not only is it often extremely effective, it’s usually the least invasive. So my recommendation is: Let’s start there. Let’s see how much progress is possible before we move on to the next level – if needed.”
Providers of pediatric therapies will be carefully watching every child’s progress at each phase. They’re going to be closely observing the mental/physical/behavioral/emotional barriers to progress. Parents are going to get daily reports on the successes – and ongoing challenges – to goals for communication, socialization, independent function, academics, etc. If they notice an issue: You’re going to know about it.
Some key phrases Voltz-Ronco says to watch for from your child’s pediatric therapists, teachers, and caregivers:
- Lack of focus
- Significantly decreased attention
- Constant distraction by others
- Routine distraction by sounds, items, etc.
“You start hearing phrases like this, then it’s time to have a discussion with your child’s physician,” she said.
“In general, I would avoid going full-tilt with medications before kindergarten. You want to give their brain a chance to develop for a few years before diving in. See how formal education plays a role. Maybe the child just needs more movement in the day? Maybe they just need differently-structured instruction? Maybe we can successfully adjust the way they’re taught, rather than demanding they conform to every element of a ‘typical’ classroom.
“But, if you’ve tried all these alternatives and the child STILL struggles with attention issues (with or without hyperactivity), then maybe you start to discuss medication.”
Tips for Parents Considering Medication
Medication isn’t a one-and-done solution, either. There are likely to be adjustments in doses, alternatives, etc.
Some general thoughts for parents:
- Keep an open mind. Be willing to consider new information from experienced professionals.
- Ask lots of questions. If something doesn’t make sense to you or you have concerns: Ask. Speak up. Be an advocate for your child. Trust the experience of your child’s doctor/psychiatrists – but don’t ever allow someone to make you feel like your confusion is invalid or your concerns are unworthy of addressing.
- Keep your child’s pediatric therapists in the loop. We want to help. We’re not “pro-medication” or “anti-medication.” We’re Pro-YOUR CHILD. Our speech, occupational, ABA, and physical therapists at FOCUS – along with your child’s doctors, teachers, caregivers, etc. – we’re on the same team. We also trust that YOU know your child best. We’re here to support you. If you aren’t ready to start your child on medication: We have your back, and will provide additional supports as needed. If it’s something you’re considering, we’ll offer our honest, frank insight and support.
If you have questions, we’re happy to offer our insight.
FOCUS offers pediatric speech, occupational, physical, and ABA therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Children and the Use of Complementary Health Approaches, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
More Blog Entries:
ABA Therapy: Is It Right for Your Child? Jan. 11, 2022, Fort Myers Pediatric Therapy Blog
How ABA Therapy Can Help Kids
If you have more questions about how our Fort Myers ABA therapy team can help your child, contact us!
FOCUS Therapy offers ABA therapy and ADOS testing to children in Lee County, Florida.
Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
SWFL Speech Therapy Treatment for Kids With Childhood Apraxia of Speech
When it comes to treatment for childhood apraxia of speech, our Fort Myers speech therapists employ treatments that are both evidence-based but also fun and tailored to the individual child.
Apraxia of speech is a relatively uncommon speech disorder, but one our dedicated SWFL speech therapy team is especially qualified to treat, having extensive experience in helping kids with this condition successfully master key skills.
What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Not all kids with this condition are going to have the same signs and symptoms include:
- Won’t say the same words the exact same way each time.
- Stresses the incorrect word in a sentence or syllable in a word.
- Changes or distorts certain sounds.
- Speaks shorter words with greater clarity than longer words.
Kids with apraxia of speech might also have a tough time with fine motor skills, reading, writing, and spelling.
Treatment Methods for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
There are several speech therapy treatment methods used to treat apraxia of speech in children.
Among the treatment methods recommended by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for childhood apraxia of speech:
- Articulation Therapy: This therapy focuses on teaching the child to produce speech sounds correctly by breaking down speech sounds into smaller units and practicing them individually. The therapist will also work on improving the child’s ability to coordinate movements for speech.
- Sensory-Motor Approach: This approach uses sensory-motor techniques to help the child develop the oral-motor skills needed for speech. The therapist may use activities such as blowing bubbles, blowing pinwheels, or playing with play-doh to help the child improve their oral-motor skills.
- Prosody Therapy: This therapy focuses on improving the rhythm and melody of speech, which is particularly important for children with apraxia of speech. The therapist will help the child develop a natural-sounding speech pattern by working on stress and intonation patterns.
- Cueing and Assistance Techniques: This approach involves using cues, such as gesturing or pointing, to help the child initiate speech. The therapist may also use physical assistance, such as holding the child’s jaw or lips, to help the child produce speech sounds correctly.
It’s important to note that each child with apraxia of speech is unique. Every treatment plan will be tailored to their specific needs. Treatment for apraxia of speech may take several months or even years, and progress can be slow. That said, with consistent and dedicated therapy, children with apraxia of speech can make significant improvements in their speech.
In conclusion, apraxia of speech is a complex disorder that requires a multi-faceted approach to treatment. Articulation therapy, sensory-motor approach, prosody therapy, cueing and assistance techniques, and speech-language pathology treatment are all effective methods for treating apraxia of speech in children.
Working with a dedicated SWFL speech therapy team is essential to ensure a child with this condition receives the best possible treatment and support. With consistent and dedicated therapy, children with apraxia of speech can make significant improvements in their speech, which will help them to communicate effectively and be more confident in their daily lives.
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Why Act Early if You’re Concerned about Development? U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
More Blog Entries:
The Best Age for Fort Myers Speech Therapy? Mind the Milestones., Nov. 3, 2022, Fort Myers Speech Therapy Blog
ABA Therapy: Is It Right for Your Child?
ABA therapy is a relatively new area of practice, but it’s widely recognized by pediatric specialists as a highly effective form of early intervention for children on the autism spectrum.
ABA – short for applied behavior analysis – is a type of one-on-one behavior therapy that’s based on learning theories. It helps boost a child’s independence and overall quality of life – short-term and long-term – by providing evidence-based guidance and support for the development of social and emotional skills. Unexpected or dangerous behaviors are reduced, while helpful/expected behaviors are positively reinforced.
Experts have concluded the earlier it starts, the more effective it is. Ideally, kids will begin ABA somewhere between ages 2 and 5, though it’s not unheard of for a child to start younger or a bit older.
While many children may struggle with “behavior issues,” ABA therapy is uniquely reserved for children with specific diagnoses for which this intensive, interpersonal therapy has proven beneficial. It’s considered the “gold standard” for autism treatment, but can also be great for helping children with conditions like Down syndrome or global developmental delay.
Insurance companies in Florida are required by law to cover medically necessary therapies – including ABA therapy – for children with autism, Down Syndrome, and other “eligible” conditions, though the exact diagnostic codes that would qualify a child aren’t expressly defined in the statute. What we can say is that kids who do not have a diagnosis of autism, Down syndrome, or developmental delay will have a tougher time securing insurance coverage.
We know this can be a bit confusing for families. At FOCUS, we’re committed to providing the best answers and insight we can, and to helping parents navigate this process.
FOCUS Therapy offers ABA therapy and ADOS testing to children in Lee County, Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.