Unity Youth & Family Services

Your child isn’t incapable, they are differently abled.

Your child has a difficulty sitting down; has an odd way of playing or relating to other kids; has a terrible time managing focus on anything other than what they have intense, special interest in; is impulsive; has uncontrolled emotions; and does not appear to be listening or have eye contact when being spoken to.  These are signs of a neurological (think the brain) difference found in ADHD and Autism.

Being a parent to a special needs child means that all aspects of parenting are magnified. Trips to the grocery store, getting dressed, or a change in plans require you to be more calm, patient, and supportive. Seemingly innocent experiences like sleepovers, going to the movies, or birthday parties demand you to worry more and be even more prepared.

And most people don’t understand the struggle.

You see the looks and hear the whispers of “if that was my child….” You feel shamed and enraged for the judgement for having a child who’s different. Family members also inadvertently make things worse. You’ve probably heard “if you just gave them a good spanking…” more times than you care to remember. And of course, you can’t spank the neurodiverse needs out of your child….at least no more than you can the ignorance out of some people. Am I right??

You’ve known something was different or unusual, you just couldn’t put your finger on it. Then, your little kiddo started school, where the differences became more noticeable. At first the symptoms and behaviors were subtle, like clumsiness and aversion to lights and sounds. But as your child ages, you notice more differences in attention, rigidity, social differences, and repetitive movement.

ADHD and Autism have many overlapping symptoms and presentations, including:

  • Attention issues                                      
  • Emotion dysregulation
  • Poor eye contact                                     
  • Poor time management
  • Social skill deficits

To help build skills in these areas, children with unique needs require a specialized therapy treatment. AutPlay is a therapy designed for kids, with focus on improving unhealthy behaviors and skill development through the use of therapeutic play. Through intentionally designed and specific play activities, children learn and process their difficulties without requiring them to use their words.

AutPlay allows children to learn skills to improve the following:

  • Managing emotions
  • Social interactions
  • Building relationships
  • Anxious behavior
  • Sensory intolerance
  • Focus and concentration
  • Organization

In addition to these skills, children and families need help with supports within the school system. AutPlay services include support to help the parents learn how to navigate the academic needs of their child, including acting as their advocate in school. This can include help with understanding and managing a 504 or IEP in school.

If you have not received a formal Autism diagnosis, we can refer your child to a provider who will be able to assess and diagnose. We will work with the provider and create a collaborative treatment to offer a more consistent level of care. Therapy services can begin while a referral and assessment is in process. Your child can be assessed, diagnosed and treated for ADHD at our clinic.

There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do.

Temple Grandin

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