by IABA Team | Oct 24, 2022
Autism has traditionally been diagnosed more frequently in males, but new studies have shown that autism may have nothing to do with sex. The lower prevalence of autism in girls may be due to specific behaviors that indicate autism going unnoticed.
Let’s take a look at why autism in girls is often overlooked and what those signs are.
Girls & Autism
Why have many signs of autism in girls been overlooked for so long? The short answer is behavioral patterns. While the criteria used to diagnose autism are not different for boys and girls, the way the signs appear may be different.
Signs of general autism normally include:
- Social behavior issues
- Communication issues
- Problems understanding relationships
- A very narrow set of interests and areas of focus
- Stimming (repetitive motor actions and/or sounds)
- Difficulty adapting to change
- Extreme reactions to sensory stimuli
This list is very general and non-specific, but they are related to the criteria used to diagnose autism. The behaviors that show some of these issues, however, can be different for boys & girls.
Signs of Autism in Girls
Some of the criteria used to diagnose autism may go unnoticed by parents or teachers when it comes to girls. These signs can manifest in different ways. Some of the signs of autism that girls exhibit more than boys include:
- Introversion. Girls with autism may be more introverted or be considered to be ‘shy’ than boys. While being introverted doesn’t necessarily mean a girl has autism, being severely introverted may be a warning sign.
- Hyper focusing. Hyper focusing is, broadly speaking, complete absorption into a task. In girls with autism, hyperfocus totally prevents them from dividing attention between more than one thing.
- Lack of social awareness. Another sign that a young girl may have autism is a lack of social awareness. This manifests itself in a girl being unable to establish the relevance or importance of others, leading to a lack of understanding social cues.
- Auditory/Sensory Processing. Severe auditory and other sensory processing sensitivities or issues may also be a sign of autism. This is different than being scared of alarmed due to loud or explosive sounds and more about issues with sounds or sensory stimuli most people take no issue with.
- Social Camouflaging. Social camouflaging can be the most difficult sign of autism in young girls for parents to detect. Young girls with mild autism may go undiagnosed due to seeming socially neurotypical. This makes looking for other signs even more important.
What To Do
If you notice any regular occurrences of irregular behavior, you may want to check in with your child’s pediatrician. A single behavioral issue is usually not enough to seek a medical opinion, but frequent irregular episodes could indicate an evaluation.
Seeking professional medical help is the only way to truly get a proper diagnosis.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | Jul 26, 2022
Getting health insurance to cover certain needs can be a pain in many cases. Health insurance and autism, however, are in a category of their own.
The most recent data from the CDC estimates that 1 in 54 children will be diagnosed with autism–a number that seems to be increasing every year. Health insurance plans and policies are changing due to the prevalence of autism, but it can still be hard to get coverage.
Here’s what you need to know.
Getting an Autism Diagnosis
If you are concerned about the development of your child, speak to your pediatrician as soon as possible. Your pediatrician will be able to help you find a suitable professional to conduct an autism evaluation.
A diagnosis needs to be made by a licensed medical professional before insurance will offer any coverage (pediatric psychologist, developmental pediatrician). Many states have laws that require insurance providers to pay for autism evaluations. If you are unsure if your provider covers evaluations, be sure to speak to a representative to make sure.
After a diagnosis, you will get a prescription for services from the doctor, most likely for ABA therapy. You will need prior authorization from your insurance provider to get coverage for a new autism diagnosis/prescription before starting any programs.
Costs of Autism
According to the CDC children with autism have medical expenditures around $4,000-$6,200 more than a neurotypical child. On top of this, paying cash for an intensive inpatient behavioral program (20-40 hours per week) can cost around $50,000 per year.
Costs like these are why it is extremely important to know what your insurance provider will cover and what they won’t. If you currently have a family health insurance policy, it is best practice to call your provider and speak to a representative about your options.
Common Issues with Insurance Coverage & Autism
Many medical conditions and procedures come with ‘hidden strings.’ Autism is no different. Insurance plans often have policies in place that block coverage based on the type of service/therapy being used, the provider, or the health plan itself.
Common issues families face with insurance companies and autism coverage include:
- Coverage only specifies one type of autism therapy (usually ABA)
- Specific plans or therapies are denied coverage due to certain insurance plans categorizing some therapy coverage as being for disabilities only (not autism)
- Out-of-network providers are not covered in any way, even partially (it can be hard for some people in rural areas to find nearby in-network providers)
- Services not being covered due to a policy classifying them as ‘educational,’ thus not health care
Issues like these (and other related ones) need to be taken up with your insurance provider as soon as possible–preferably before any sessions have started. Also, be sure to talk to any provider you are considering about billing. Misbilling certain services can create an issue with your insurance provider–make sure the healthcare provider you choose knows their billing!
Autism, Health Insurance, & the Law
Each state has different laws and regulations regarding how insurance providers provide coverage for autism. The National Conference of State Legislatures has a great list of these laws, broken down by state.
The laws vary by state, meaning that some people may have trouble getting an insurance provider to cover a specific service–especially those who have recently changed residence.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | Jul 19, 2022
There are many types of therapy that can help with specific symptoms of Autism. One type of therapy that is often underlooked when it comes to treating ASD is occupational therapy (OT). In tandem with a solid ABA program, OT can have extremely beneficial effects on development.
OTs that specialize in helping children with ASD are able to evaluate the needs of a child and put a unique therapy program in place. Let’s take a look at what OTs do when it comes to helping those with autism.
Occupational Therapy & Autism
The first thing to go over is the skills that OTs can help individuals with autism learn. Skills OTs help with include:
- Cognitive skills
- Communication
- Motor skills
- Sensory skills
- Social skills
Each of these skills has specific ‘sub-skills’ OTs focus on:
- Cognitive Skills. Cognitive Skill training focuses on attention, mental stamina, and focus.
- Communication. Communication training focuses on speech and nonverbal communication.
- Motor Skills. Motor skill training focuses on balance, posture, and using objects/tools.
- Sensory Skills. Sensory skill training focuses on responses to sensory stimuli and sensory defensiveness.
- Social Skills. Social skill training focuses on emotional regulation, interacting with others, and behavior.
How Does Occupational Therapy for Autism Work?
Occupational therapy for autism is different from standard OT for several reasons. OTs with an autism-centered practice work with both clients and their families, making sure plans stick inside and outside of a clinical setting. OTs will help families understand any cognitive-behavioral approaches being used so they can continue at home.
Autism OTs emphasize mental health and well-being in order to make clients feel safe in the environment where therapy takes place. Occupational Therapy for autism often includes teaching self-care routines, so making clients feel safe both in the clinic and at home is essential for success.
Goals of OT for Autism
Like other autism therapy methods, OT focuses on helping a person with autism’s quality of life. The ultimate goal is giving clients as much independence as possible. The areas of life OT therapy for autism focuses on include:
- Independent communication
- Working with others
- Listening
- Gratification and delayed gratification for completing tasks
- Expressing feelings and emotions to others
- Creating and maintaining friendships and other relationships
While the goals of OT may seem to line up with the goals for most autism therapies, OTs are able to combine their occupation therapy training with ABA or cognitive behavioral training to create an occupational program perfectly suited to the needs of a person with autism.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | Jul 12, 2022
Acetaminophen has always been the go-to drug for pain relief during pregnancy. Doctors often prescribed acetaminophen as an OTC drug for mild to moderate headaches due to the low risk associated with pregnancies. The widespread use of acetaminophen for pregnant women in pain, however, may be coming to an end.
Recent research conducted by both university researchers and the US National Institutes of Health links excessive acetaminophen use to autism and ADHD. While the conclusions of the initial studies need additional research for a definitive conclusion, the studies had eye-opening results.
Studying the Effects of Acetaminophen on Pregnancy Risks
A National Institutes of Health-funded study conducted by doctors from Johns Hopkins University called the Boston Birth Cohort Study was used for acetaminophen research. Part of the study examined 24,000 participants, 996 of whom were tested for acetaminophen levels and associated byproducts at birth.
The results of the study on acetaminophen were stunning. Children in the study were checked in on 8.9 years after birth. Of the 996 births, 25.8% had been diagnosed with ADHD, 6.6% had been diagnosed with autism, and 4.2% had been diagnosed with both. This correlates to 2.9X the risk for ADHD and 3.6X the risk of autism (compared to the lowest third of diagnoses in participants).
Researchers in the study noted the results supported earlier research linking acetaminophen to increased autism & ADHD risk during pregnancy. They also noted that future studies will be needed for a definitive conclusion. Some factors not used during the test (health of the mothers, preexisting conditions of the mothers, etc) may also need to be factored in for future research.
Is it Safe to Take Acetaminophen During Pregnancy?
This is definitely a question best left to your doctor. While the answer may be somewhere along the lines of ‘use very sparingly,’ some unanswered questions make this difficult to answer. Researchers and doctors are questioning and studying the impact of acetaminophen and other drugs taken early during pregnancy versus late in pregnancy.
Without conclusive research, there is no ‘recommended dose’ for doctors to prescribe. Talking to your doctor is the only way to get a good answer to this question. Your doctor knows you and your needs better than general internet information ever will. If you are experiencing pregnancy-related pain, please talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medications!
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | Jul 5, 2022
Long trips and vacations with kids can be difficult. Keeping a child occupied and calm during a trip requires patience and preparation. Keeping a child with autism occupied and calm during a trip may require some extra patience and planning.
This article is going to go over tips, tricks, and good general information on traveling with an autistic child. The two sections in this article will include information on road trips and air travel, as both have unique challenges.
Tips for Flying with a Child with Autism
Air travel is a big change for any child with autism. The sensory overload that accompanies every flight can be a huge challenge. The noise, the pressure, the small area, and the regimented process are all obstacles that a family will need to prepare for before a flight.
Before flying with an autistic child, you will want to consider taking the following actions:
- Prepare Weeks (or Months, if possible) Ahead. Talk with your child’s therapist or doctor about how to best start the process of preparing for a flight. Getting a plan together early on will help remind you about things you may need to prepare your child for.
- Create a Calendar. Having a visual indicator for your child to see indicating the upcoming trip can help them prepare for the change.
- Talk to Your Child About the Flight. Go over all the information about planes, airports, and travel you have planned with your child before the trip. Ask your child questions about the trip and make sure they have an understanding of the upcoming trip.
- Pack Essentials. Make sure to pack any of your child’s favorite toys, activities, and snacks before the flight. Remember that liquids over 3oz. cannot be brought through airport security!
- Pack Entertainment. Make sure your child has their favorite long-term toy or activity-packed. Focusing on something they love can make the long trip seem much shorter.
- If Your Child Has Special Needs: Talk to the Airline or Airport Before Your Flight. If your child needs special treatment or has other needs not normally provided or permitted by airlines, make sure to call them as early as possible! Airlines can be very accommodating, so make sure to talk to your airline about any and all of your child’s needs.
- Do a Practice Airport/Airline Security Run. Talk to your child’s therapist or pediatrician about the best ways to simulate an airport or airport security. Devise a plan and make sure your child is as prepared as they can before the real thing.
Road Trips & Autism
Taking a trip or going on a car vacation is much easier than flying for a child with autism. This doesn’t, however, mean it will be a walk in the park!
Leaving home and routine behind is difficult for children. Taking a child with autism out of an expected routine and schedule will take some preparation to mitigate emotions.
Just like with flying, there are some things you can do prior to a road trip to help ease the apprehensions of your child:
- Create a Calendar. Giving your child a visual indicator for when they will leave home can help them understand when the trip will start.
- Talk to Your Child & Communicate the Trip Plans. Creating an understandable narrative around where & why you are traveling can help your child understand what is happening. Ask them questions about the trip, answer their questions about the trip, and be sure to emphasize the things they will enjoy!
- Have Your Child Help Prepare for the Trip. Helping mom or dad is always fun, especially when it’s for something special. Having your child help you with packing or preparing the car for the road trip may be a great way to imbue an understanding of what to expect.
- Show Pictures of Hotels or Houses You’re Staying At. Make sure to familiarize your child with your destination and what they can expect when you get there. If you are staying with relatives, contacting them to prepare a room, followed by sending pictures of the prepared space, can make your child understand where they are staying is safe.
- Pack the Essentials. This is imperative for any road trip–a car has fewer accommodations than a plane, namely, there are no snacks & no bathrooms. Be sure to pack all of your child’s favorite toys and activities along with a cooler filled with favorite snacks & drinks.
- Schedule Gas Station/Rest Area Stops. Letting your child know when you will be stopping can help them understand the length of the trip. Creating a visual calendar of stopping times/points can help even more.
Make sure to make your car as comfortable as possible for any road trip. Bringing favorite comfy blankets or pillows can help your child feel more at home in the car.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
