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A Call to Parents: Why Consistent Therapy is Crucial for Autistic Children

Writer's picture: Tiger WuTiger Wu

Updated: Dec 9, 2024


It’s tempting to stop therapy when progress appears, but doing so can cause a decline in essential skills.
A Call to Parents! Why Consistent Therapy is crucial for Autistic Children

As a parent of a child with autism, it's natural to want the best for them, hoping they will eventually catch up with their neurotypical peers. However, many parents find it difficult to accept that autism is a lifelong condition. This can lead to attempts to downplay or "mask" the reality of their child's needs, hoping that with time, the symptoms will fade as they grow older. But autism is not something that can be "cured" or outgrown. It is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and processes the world around them, requiring consistent, long-term support to help manage and develop essential skills, especially in areas like social interactions.


The Importance of Therapy


Therapy plays a pivotal role in supporting autistic children as they develop vital life skills. Many children on the autism spectrum may find it difficult to pick up on social cues, interpret non-verbal and body language, or initiate and sustain friendships. For them, they may not be able to acquire these social skills naturally and effortlessly purely through infant and child development while playing with other peers. Instead, they require consistent and discrete learning and practice through specialized therapy, such as social skills training. This training equips children with the tools to navigate social environments effectively, manage emotions, and create meaningful connections with others.


The COVID-19 pandemic, however, showcased just how critical regular therapy is. During the lockdowns, many therapy sessions were paused or shifted to virtual formats, disrupting the structured support that autistic children need. As a result, 36.2% of families reported worsening emotional and social performance in their children after the pandemic lockdowns. This stark statistic highlights a significant risk of regression when therapy is interrupted. Skills that may have taken years to develop can quickly deteriorate without consistent practice, leaving children less prepared to engage socially.


A Lifelong Condition Requires Lifelong Support


Autism is a lifelong condition, which means that support, too, must be ongoing. As children grow, their environments change—from elementary school to high school, and eventually into adulthood. With each new stage comes new challenges. School environments require them to interact with peers, teachers, and staff. Later, as they transition into the workforce, they will need to navigate job interviews, workplace dynamics, and independent living.


This evolving landscape makes it crucial that therapy continues, not only to help autistic individuals adapt but also to prevent regression in their abilities. Children with autism often require regular guidance to maintain the progress they’ve achieved, whether it’s improving communication, self-regulation, or daily life skills.


Parents may wonder, “How long should therapy continue?” The answer is not a simple one. Unlike short-term interventions for temporary conditions, behavioural interventions for autism, such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), do not have a set expiration date. The objective is not merely immediate progress but lasting improvement of quality of life throughout the child’s lifespan. Just as neurotypical individuals benefit from continuous education, autistic individuals require lifelong learning and support to continually enhance and solidify the skills needed to navigate their world.


The Role of Behavioral Interventions


Behavioural interventions like ABA are designed to support autistic children by breaking down complex skills and behaviours into manageable, teachable components. ABA emphasizes positive reinforcement to help children acquire new skills and behaviours while minimizing those that may hinder their social functioning. Through repetition and reinforcement, these interventions foster the development of essential everyday skills, such as taking turns in conversation, following directions, and regulating emotions.


While progress may be slower for some children, continuous intervention ensures that they can maintain their abilities and potentially reach new milestones. It’s important to remember that these skills need to be constantly practiced in real-world settings—whether at home, school, or community environments. Without consistent therapy, children risk regressing, losing the social and behavioral gains they’ve worked hard to achieve.


Conclusion: Don’t Stop the Therapy


It can be tempting to stop therapy when your child starts showing signs of progress. Parents might feel that their child has “caught up” or no longer needs as much support. However, stopping therapy too soon can lead to a decline in the very skills your child has developed. Progress in one area, such as academic success, does not equate to overall success in social or behavioral development. Autism is a lifelong condition, and for the long-term success and well-being of your child, maintaining therapy is key.


By ensuring that therapy remains consistent, you’re giving your child the tools to continue learning, adapting, and thriving in the world around them. Consistent support can help unlock their potential and allow them to lead a more fulfilling, independent life.


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