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Local specialists outline therapies and supports for people with autism
Summary
Educators and a school psychologist said autism has no cure but habilitative therapies—speech, ABA, mental‑health services—and school accommodations help individuals gain functional skills; families may also access services through private insurance.
Sarah Sinclair said autism is lifelong and there is no "cure," but that various therapies and supports help people develop skills and independence. “Autism doesn't have a cure like it's because it's a neurodevelopmental, condition, it's lifelong,” she said, and listed speech therapy, behavioral therapy and ABA among common supports.
Shannon Holly described combining school-based supports with private services covered by insurance when needed, noting that her son received speech, occupational and physical therapies through an IFSP and later transitioned to an IEP in school. Both guests described family therapy and other mental‑health supports as important complements that can be carried into school settings when families and teams communicate about what works.
The guests emphasized that supports should be individualized; Sinclair said good intervention helps people advocate for themselves and learn functional life skills rather than trying to make them appear “typical.”
