What Helps with Autism? Real Support That Makes a Difference

Understanding Autism: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Autism (or ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder) is exactly that: a spectrum. That means what helps one person might not help another in the same way. And honestly? That can be frustrating at first.

But don’t worry – there are tried-and-true strategies, tools, and therapies that consistently show positive effects for many individuals. It's just about figuring out what fits, piece by piece.

Therapies That Actually Work

Speech Therapy

A classic, but for good reason. Speech therapy helps with more than just talking – it also targets communication skills, understanding cues, and expressing emotions.

For nonverbal children or adults, this might involve augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems like tablets or picture boards. And yes, progress can be slow, but it’s real.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

OT focuses on daily living skills – like brushing teeth, writing, or even just staying calm in a noisy room. Sounds simple? For someone with sensory issues or motor coordination struggles, it’s huge.

There was a kid I worked with (let’s call him Noah). He used to cry during snack time because he couldn’t open the juice box without help. After a few months of OT, he did it himself – and wow, his confidence shot through the roof.

ABA – Controversial but Common

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most widespread autism therapies. It’s structured, data-driven, and focuses on teaching specific behaviors. Some love it. Others criticize it for being too rigid or robotic.

Honestly? It depends on the therapist and the approach. When done with empathy and flexibility, ABA can really help build foundational skills.

Sensory Supports and Tools

Weighted Blankets and Sensory Rooms

For many autistic individuals, sensory overload is a daily battle. Bright lights, loud noises, scratchy clothes – all can be too much. That’s where sensory-friendly tools come in.

• Weighted blankets for calming.

• Noise-cancelling headphones for crowded places.

• Fidget toys for focus (yep, they’re not just trendy gadgets).

And those “sensory rooms” with soft lights and calming textures? Absolute game-changers in schools or clinics.

Routines and Visual Schedules

Autistic people often thrive with structure. Sudden changes can be anxiety-inducing, even for adults on the spectrum. So creating clear routines, using visual timetables or apps, can make daily life feel more predictable – and way less stressful.

Emotional and Social Support

Social Skills Training

This is more than just “learning how to make friends.” It’s about decoding facial expressions, understanding sarcasm, knowing when to speak and when to listen. Stuff that’s not obvious to everyone.

Group sessions or one-on-one coaching can help bridge that social gap. And hey – it’s not about forcing someone to “act normal.” It’s about giving tools, not pushing conformity.

Support from Family and Community

Honestly? One of the biggest things that helps with autism is... acceptance. Families that educate themselves, advocate, and support their loved one’s unique way of seeing the world make a massive difference.

Also, support groups for parents, siblings, or even autistic adults themselves can be life-saving. Just having a space to vent or swap ideas – priceless.

Assistive Technology and Apps

Tech That Gives Independence

There are incredible apps and devices out there that help with communication, scheduling, and emotion regulation. For example:

• Proloquo2Go – helps nonverbal individuals speak using symbols.

• Choiceworks – great for visual routines and task management.

• Mood Meter – helps identify and track emotions.

Honestly, some of these tools are so useful I’ve seen neurotypical folks use them too (not even kidding).

Final Thoughts: What Really Helps with Autism?

There’s no single magic fix. But here’s what truly helps:

• Personalized therapy based on actual needs

• Patience, like serious amounts of it

• Understanding and flexibility, especially from adults

• Supportive environments – both at home and in the community

• And maybe most important: celebrating differences rather than trying to erase them

Autism isn’t something to "fix" – it’s something to understand and support. And when we get that right? Amazing things happen.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.