Autism treatment therapy means the supports and therapies that help autistic people communicate, learn, manage sensory needs and take part in daily life. Autism is not an illness to cure, so the aim is support that suits the person and their family, not “fixing” autism.
This guide is for autistic people, families, carers and support workers in Australia. It explains how therapies are rated, the main types, what the NDIS may fund and how to choose providers.
Therapy for autism covers many approaches, from speech pathology and occupational therapy to behaviour support and everyday coaching. Each one targets a specific goal, such as communication, sensory regulation, daily skills or emotional wellbeing.
The National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation and wellbeing of autistic children and their families covers ages 0 to 12 and has 84 consensus-based recommendations, approved by the NHMRC on 6 December 2022 (Autism CRC).
Raising Children Network’s therapies guide rates therapies as Established (research shows positive effects), Promising, Yet to be determined, or Ineffective/harmful (research shows the approach is ineffective or can be harmful) (Raising Children Network).
Visual tools show what is happening or what comes next in pictures or words. See visual schedules for autism and social stories for autism.
Explore a social skills program for children with autism and AAC for autism, which covers communication aids and devices.
The best fit depends on age, goals and where the person spends their day.
TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.
Make a referral →Autism therapists come from different professions, and each one brings different skills.
Ask any provider how they involve the person and family, how they measure progress and what happens if goals change. Check qualifications and professional registration before you book.
The approaches below are not rated on this page. Check the Raising Children Network therapies guide and ask questions before you pay.
Parents often ask how to treat autism. Because autism is not an illness to cure, these steps focus on choosing supports that fit the person.
Our guide to autism parenting shares day-to-day ideas, and autism assistance dogs covers a different kind of support.
Good information is free if you know where to look.
If you meet the NDIS access requirements, a plan may fund therapy and supports linked to your goals. Ask your planner or the NDIA what your plan can cover.
TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.
Make a referral →If you are planning supports for yourself or someone you care for, start with goals and the evidence ratings. At TQN Care, we help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong. See our NDIS services or make a referral and we will call you back.
Autism is a lifelong difference in how a person thinks, communicates and senses the world, not an illness to cure. Therapies and supports can help with communication, daily skills and wellbeing. Talk to your GP or paediatrician about options that suit the person.
Support is usually a mix of therapies, such as speech pathology, occupational therapy and behaviour support, plus adjustments at school and home. Raising Children Network rates therapies as Established, Promising, Yet to be determined, or Ineffective/harmful, which helps you compare options.
Ask what helps and listen to the answer. Offer clear information, predictable routines, quiet spaces and choices. Respect sensory needs and communication styles, and support the person to pursue their interests. Autism Connect on 1300 308 699 can suggest further steps.
There is no treatment that removes autism, but there are therapies and supports that help with specific goals. Some are rated established by Raising Children Network, including ABA and ESDM. Ask providers about evidence, and talk to your doctor before starting anything new.
Learn what helps that person, whether it is a visual schedule, advance notice of changes or time to process. Involve them in decisions. A support worker can also practise routines and community activities with them. See our autism support at home guide.
Adults are usually offered support, not treatment of autism itself. Options include counselling, occupational therapy, employment support and daily living help. Talk to your GP about referrals, and ask about NDIS supports if you meet the access requirements. Autism Connect can also help.
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In autism support, a visual schedule is a set of pictures, symbols, photos or words that shows what will happen and in…