Parents often ask me, “How many hours of therapy does my autistic child need each week?”
It’s a reasonable question, but the answer isn’t as straightforward as people might think.
I’ve never given a “standard answer,” and here’s why:
📉 The key isn’t just about therapy hours:
There’s a common belief that the more therapy, the better the results.
However, this belief isn’t entirely accurate.
As Dr. Stephen Shore, an autistic professor of special education at Adelphi University, once said, “When you meet one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.” This reminds us that individuals with autism can vary greatly in their strengths and challenges, making a customized approach crucial.
More therapy time doesn’t necessarily lead to better outcomes.
What truly matters is whether the therapy fits your child’s unique needs and how involved you are as a parent.
Over-scheduling can exhaust both the child and the family, leading to diminishing returns.
🍽️ Cooking analogy:
Imagine therapy as preparing a gourmet meal. The focus isn’t on how many dishes are served but on how carefully each ingredient is selected and prepared.
Just as a delicious meal isn’t made by simply adding more ingredients, effective therapy isn’t achieved by increasing therapy hours but by the quality and relevance of each session.
◉ Choosing ingredients:
In cooking, the quality of ingredients—fresh vegetables, premium meats, and spices—determines the final dish.
Similarly, therapy methods and techniques should be tailored to your child’s specific developmental needs and learning style.
◉ Careful preparation:
Just as you wouldn’t randomly mix ingredients together, therapy should be planned and executed thoughtfully.
This means setting clear goals, using appropriate methods, and adjusting as needed to ensure each session effectively addresses your child’s unique challenges.
◉ Balanced diet:
A balanced meal requires proper nutrition, taste, and texture.
Similarly, a balanced therapy plan includes a variety of strategies and activities that holistically support your child’s development without overwhelming them.
🌱 Gardening analogy:
A child’s growth is like a garden. The key isn’t about watering it excessively but providing the right care at the right times.
When parents are actively involved, it’s like adding sunlight and fertilizer to the garden, leading to more noticeable growth in the child.
🏠 Building a house analogy:
Therapy is like building a house. A solid foundation is crucial.
When parents are actively involved, this foundation becomes even stronger, allowing the child to make better progress with less therapy time.
💼 Consider other factors:
Besides therapy hours, it’s important to consider the family’s financial situation, the child’s daily routine, and the distance to the therapy center.
A feasible therapy plan must take these factors into account to ensure it’s sustainable for the whole family.
🌟 Success stories:
Some parents are highly involved in their child’s therapy, and even with minimal professional therapy time, the child makes significant progress.
This shows that effective therapy isn’t just about the number of hours but also about the parent’s involvement and support.
🔑 Key points:
✳ Quality matters more:
Finding therapy that truly fits the child and is evidence-based is more effective than simply increasing hours.
✳ Parents are the best therapists:
The more involved parents are and the more they integrate interventions into daily life, the better the therapy outcomes, often significantly reducing the need for professional therapy time.
✳ Avoid over-scheduling:
Balance is crucial; too much therapy can backfire. Children also need time to play and rest.
✳ Consider the whole picture:
Plan therapy that fits the family’s financial situation, daily routine, and travel time, ensuring it works for everyone.