About therapies and supports for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
There are many therapies and supports that can help autistic children of all ages, including pre-teens and teenagers.
There are also therapies and supports that have been developed specifically for autistic pre-teens and teenagers. These therapies can help pre-teens and teenagers as they get older and need support to:
- handle more demanding schoolwork and other responsibilities
- manage puberty
- build healthy self-esteem and social relationships
- manage romantic relationships and sexual feelings
- deal with low moods.
Below, we describe therapies and supports you could think about for your pre-teen or teenage autistic child.
The therapies and supports you choose will depend on your child’s individual needs. Ideally, professionals will work with you to find an approach that builds on your child’s strengths and the way they do things. This personalised approach can help your child learn, develop and thrive.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a structured psychological treatment based on the idea that how we think and feel affects how we behave.
CBT can help autistic pre-teens and teenagers:
- recognise unhelpful thoughts or behaviour
- identify the emotions related to the thoughts and behaviour
- challenge unhelpful thoughts
- respond to difficult emotions in healthier ways.
For example, if your autistic child is being excluded, they might feel lonely, think that nobody likes them and stop taking part in social activities. CBT could help your child explore their thoughts and look at the situation differently. For example, ‘It’s not my fault people don’t understand my autism. I’ll be able to find friends who like me for who I am’.
CBT programs also often teach relaxation strategies that can help autistic pre-teens and teenagers manage anxiety.
CBT is a ‘talking therapy’. This means your child needs an adequate understanding of language to benefit from it.
Modelling for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
Modelling involves an adult or peer showing autistic pre-teens and teenagers how to do something, which they then copy.
Modelling can help autistic pre-teens and teenagers learn various skills – for example, social skills like saying hello, asking questions, and requesting help, skills for self-care and hygiene, and educational tasks.
Video-modelling is a type of modelling. You can use ready-made videos or make your own. For example, you could record yourself, your child or someone else modelling skills like having conversations, inviting peers to play a game, or using body language and tones of voice.
Peer training for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
Peer training teaches siblings, classmates and other children strategies for interacting with autistic pre-teens and teenagers. This approach gives pre-teens and teenagers the chance to develop friendships through natural, supportive interactions.
For example, your child’s classmates might learn how to start and maintain interactions with your child.
Peer training has benefits for both autistic and non-autistic pre-teens and teenagers. For example, it helps everyone learn and appreciate other people’s diverse strengths and interests.
Self-management techniques for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
Self-management techniques empower autistic pre-teens and teenagers to manage their own behaviour. These techniques often involve tracking behaviour using tools like tick sheets, stickers or a wrist counter.
For example, your child’s goal might be to get dressed and eat breakfast before using their phone in the morning. Each time your child achieves this goal, they put a sticker in a book. This helps them monitor their progress and stay motivated.
Social skills groups for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
Social skills groups help autistic pre-teens and teenagers learn to understand non-verbal cues like eye contact, body language, tone of voice and facial expression. They also help them understand other people’s perspectives and learn to solve social problems.
Autistic pre-teens and teenagers might work on social skills one on one with a therapist or as part of a group. For example, your child might join a gaming social skills group run by a therapist. This could give your child the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and learn new skills.
Some programs include community outings to help pre-teens and teenagers practise their skills in real-world settings.
Popular social skills programs include the Secret Agent Society, the Westmead Feelings Program, the Social Thinking Program, Stop Think Do or the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS).
Stepping Stones Triple P for autistic pre-teens and teenagers
Stepping Stones Triple P is a parenting program for parents of children with a developmental disability aged up to 12 years.
It can help you:
- understand your child’s needs
- manage your child’s challenging behaviour and developmental needs
- encourage new behaviour
- develop a close relationship with your child
- teach your child new skills.
Looking after yourself with healthy food, regular exercise and enough rest will keep you in good shape to care for your autistic child. If your feelings about your child’s disability are sometimes overwhelming, it might help to know that there are positive ways to manage them. Getting support from your local community can often be a big help too.