When a child is diagnosed with autism, one of the first questions families ask is, “What therapy should my child have?” It’s a big question, and the number of options can feel overwhelming. ABA, speech therapy, OT, ESDM, Floortime: the list of names and acronyms can be long.
The good news is that most autism therapies fit into a handful of clear groups. Each has its own focus, whether that’s communication, daily living skills, play, behaviour or emotional wellbeing. Understanding the different types makes it easier to talk with professionals and choose supports that suit your child and your family.
What Is Autism Therapy?
Autism therapy is support designed to help autistic children build skills, take part in everyday life and reach goals that matter to them and their families. It isn’t about “curing” autism or changing who a child is. It’s about building communication, independence, wellbeing and participation.
In Australia, the National Guideline for supporting autistic children and their families, released in 2023, sets out best practice for these supports. It emphasises that children should be safe, have their rights upheld, and that supports should be planned and monitored around each child’s goals.
1. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behaviour Analysis is a behavioural approach that uses reinforcement to build new skills and reduce behaviour that gets in the way of learning or social connection.
What it can focus on:
- Communication, such as requesting, commenting and answering questions
- Daily living skills, like dressing, toileting and eating
- Play and social skills
- Following routines and coping with transitions
- Reducing behaviour that causes harm or limits participation
How it works: Skills are broken into small steps and taught one at a time, with rewards that matter to the child. Progress is tracked with data, so the program can be adjusted as the child learns. Modern ABA is often delivered in natural settings like home, kinder and the playground, rather than only at a table.
2. Developmental Therapies
Developmental therapies teach skills in the order children typically develop them, and they’re usually led by the child’s interests.
Examples include:
- DIR Floortime
- More Than Words
- PACT (Preschool Autism Communication Trial)
- Responsive Teaching
How it works: The therapist, and often the parent, follows the child’s lead in play, joining in and gradually building back-and-forth interaction. The focus is on relationships, shared attention and communication, rather than teaching specific tasks.
3. Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Interventions (NDBIs)
NDBIs combine behavioural and developmental approaches, using everyday play and routines as learning opportunities.
Examples include:
- Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
- JASPER
- Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
How it works: Learning happens during activities the child already enjoys, like play, snack time or bath time. The therapist uses behavioural teaching strategies within these natural moments. NDBIs are commonly used with young children and often involve parent coaching.
4. Speech Pathology
Speech pathology is one of the most common therapies for autistic children, because communication differences are a core part of autism.
What it can focus on:
- Understanding language
- Using words, signs, pictures or devices to communicate
- Social communication, like taking turns in conversation
- Speech clarity
- Feeding and swallowing difficulties
How it works: A speech pathologist assesses how a child communicates now, then builds the next steps. For some children that means spoken words. For others it means alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), such as picture systems or speech-generating devices.
5. Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy helps children take part in everyday activities at home, kinder, school and in the community.
What it can focus on:
- Sensory processing, such as sensitivity to noise, touch or textures
- Fine motor skills, like drawing, cutting and using utensils
- Self-care skills, including dressing, toileting and grooming
- Play skills
- Emotional regulation
How it works: An OT looks at how a child’s sensory needs, motor skills and environment affect daily life. Therapy might involve practising skills, adapting the environment or using tools that make tasks easier.
6. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
Positive Behaviour Support is an approach for children whose behaviour puts them or others at risk, or limits their participation in daily life.
What it can focus on:
- Understanding why a behaviour is happening
- Changing routines and environments that trigger behaviour
- Teaching safer ways for the child to communicate their needs
- Improving the child’s overall quality of life
How it works: A behaviour support practitioner completes a functional behaviour assessment, then writes a behaviour support plan for families, educators and support workers to follow. Under the NDIS, behaviour support must be delivered by a registered provider.
7. Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapy supports a child’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. Autistic children can experience anxiety, low mood and difficulty managing emotions.
Examples include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Social and emotional skills programs
How it works: A psychologist helps the child understand their thoughts and feelings and learn practical coping strategies. Therapy is usually adapted to suit the child’s communication style and age, and is more common for older children.
8. Family-Based Therapies
Family-based therapies train parents and carers to use therapy strategies in everyday life, treating families as key partners.
How it works: Instead of therapy only happening in sessions, parents learn techniques they can use during meals, play, bath time and outings. This means the child gets many more learning opportunities each day. Many early intervention programs, including early childhood intervention, are built around this kind of family coaching.
9. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy supports gross motor development, which some autistic children find challenging.
What it can focus on:
- Balance and coordination
- Strength and posture
- Walking, running, jumping and climbing
- Confidence in physical play and sport
How it works: A physiotherapist assesses movement and designs activities to build motor skills, often through play-based exercises.
10. Play-Based and Other Therapies
Some therapies don’t fit neatly into the groups above. These include music therapy, LEGO therapy, play-based therapies and animal-assisted therapy, and the evidence for them varies.
How it works: These therapies use a child’s interests as a way to build social connection, communication and emotional expression. They’re often used alongside other therapies rather than on their own.
A Note on Alternative Therapies
Some therapies promoted for autism have little or no evidence behind them, and some may be harmful. Examples include chelation, secretin and auditory integration training. It’s always worth asking a provider what evidence supports a therapy before starting.
How Is Autism Therapy Funded for Children?
Many autistic children access therapy through the NDIS, including through the early childhood approach for younger children. From 1 October 2026, children aged 8 and under with autism or developmental delay and low to moderate support needs will start to access support through Thriving Kids, a new program outside the NDIS. Children with higher support needs remain eligible for the NDIS.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “best” therapy for every autistic child. Each type has a different focus, whether that’s communication, daily living skills, play, emotional wellbeing or behaviour. Many children benefit from a combination, such as speech pathology and OT alongside ABA or a developmental approach.
The right mix depends on the child’s strengths, needs and goals, as well as what works for the family. Good therapy is respectful, built around the child’s interests, involves families as partners, and is regularly reviewed to make sure it’s helping.
If you’re exploring therapy options for your child, talking with experienced practitioners can help you understand which approaches best suit your child and how they can work together.