Has therapy actually helped anyone’s child with asd?

[Anonymous]

Our DD has been in therapy since she was maybe 9. We’ve done groups, individual therapy, meds, outpatient program. It all felt utterly useless. She’d come home with strategies and never apply them.

At 15, we found a DBT therapist and a parent coach (she’s not doing a comprehensive program, just the individual and parent coach complement). It feels like the first thing where we’ve actually seen significant progress. I’m not sure if it’s age/brain development, change of school setting, and/or the therapist but we finally seem to have a good combination and I have some hope.

[Anonymous]

I'm a psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Parenting therapy worked wonders. Therapies that work on actual skills (like OT) were beneficial. 1:1 coaching in sports and tutoring were great. Money for travel. Talk therapy was pretty pointless. I don’t think much of “social skills” therapy but at least a therapy group would be beneficial for interaction with other kids.

Basically - any therapy or tutoring/coaching that actually teaches a life skill, a fun activity, or provides opportunity to socialize is beneficial. 1:1 talk therapy is not.

Caveats: we never did speech therapy except in school. I can see private speech therapy being beneficial in some cases - but see above, that qualifies for “actually teaching stuff.” And the school social worker hours were beneficial as well. Not because of anything she could teach him but to have a trusted adult to decompress with if anything happened at school.

I truly do not believe any psychotherapy worked unless the person chooses it at can put in the work. That generally will only be for an older child. I guess I can see some forms of anxiety/phobia/ocd therapy working with a child old enough to understand the techniques and be motivated to do them?

"Talk therapy" can and often does work on specific skills!

Not in my experience. CBT does but that’s not “talk therapy.” And 7 year olds are too young to have their own goals to work towards anyway - they very rarely have any insight into challenges.

"Talk therapy" is a broad category of psychotherapy, which includes CBT.

Not really.

By definition, it literally is. I'm not trying to argue - I want to make sure people have an understanding of terminology so they aren't missing out on possible treatment options. Talk therapy is a colloquial term for psychotherapy, which encompasses all forms of psychological therapy. CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, family systems therapy etc. are all examples of types of psychotherapy (i.e., "talk therapy.") Here's an explanation from NIH (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies) if you'd like to fact-check.

“talk therapy” generally means some form of therapy where unstructured talking is the main therepeutic mode. nobody who knows anything about therapy would call CBT and DBT “talk therapy.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Parenting therapy worked wonders. Therapies that work on actual skills (like OT) were beneficial. 1:1 coaching in sports and tutoring were great. Money for travel. Talk therapy was pretty pointless. I don’t think much of “social skills” therapy but at least a therapy group would be beneficial for interaction with other kids.

Basically - any therapy or tutoring/coaching that actually teaches a life skill, a fun activity, or provides opportunity to socialize is beneficial. 1:1 talk therapy is not.

Caveats: we never did speech therapy except in school. I can see private speech therapy being beneficial in some cases - but see above, that qualifies for “actually teaching stuff.” And the school social worker hours were beneficial as well. Not because of anything she could teach him but to have a trusted adult to decompress with if anything happened at school.

I truly do not believe any psychotherapy worked unless the person chooses it at can put in the work. That generally will only be for an older child. I guess I can see some forms of anxiety/phobia/ocd therapy working with a child old enough to understand the techniques and be motivated to do them?

"Talk therapy" can and often does work on specific skills!

Not in my experience. CBT does but that’s not “talk therapy.” And 7 year olds are too young to have their own goals to work towards anyway - they very rarely have any insight into challenges.

"Talk therapy" is a broad category of psychotherapy, which includes CBT.

Not really.

By definition, it literally is. I'm not trying to argue - I want to make sure people have an understanding of terminology so they aren't missing out on possible treatment options. Talk therapy is a colloquial term for psychotherapy, which encompasses all forms of psychological therapy. CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, family systems therapy etc. are all examples of types of psychotherapy (i.e., "talk therapy.") Here's an explanation from NIH (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies) if you'd like to fact-check.

“talk therapy” generally means some form of therapy where unstructured talking is the main therepeutic mode. nobody who knows anything about therapy would call CBT and DBT “talk therapy.”

Also a psychologist and I concur (as does NIH, posted above). But I agree that it is confusing, and many people, even some other professionals like doctors and teachers, think "talk therapy" only includes psychodynamic modalities (which I would not typically recommend for anyone).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Parenting therapy worked wonders. Therapies that work on actual skills (like OT) were beneficial. 1:1 coaching in sports and tutoring were great. Money for travel. Talk therapy was pretty pointless. I don’t think much of “social skills” therapy but at least a therapy group would be beneficial for interaction with other kids.

Basically - any therapy or tutoring/coaching that actually teaches a life skill, a fun activity, or provides opportunity to socialize is beneficial. 1:1 talk therapy is not.

Caveats: we never did speech therapy except in school. I can see private speech therapy being beneficial in some cases - but see above, that qualifies for “actually teaching stuff.” And the school social worker hours were beneficial as well. Not because of anything she could teach him but to have a trusted adult to decompress with if anything happened at school.

I truly do not believe any psychotherapy worked unless the person chooses it at can put in the work. That generally will only be for an older child. I guess I can see some forms of anxiety/phobia/ocd therapy working with a child old enough to understand the techniques and be motivated to do them?

"Talk therapy" can and often does work on specific skills!

Not in my experience. CBT does but that’s not “talk therapy.” And 7 year olds are too young to have their own goals to work towards anyway - they very rarely have any insight into challenges.

"Talk therapy" is a broad category of psychotherapy, which includes CBT.

Not really.

By definition, it literally is. I'm not trying to argue - I want to make sure people have an understanding of terminology so they aren't missing out on possible treatment options. Talk therapy is a colloquial term for psychotherapy, which encompasses all forms of psychological therapy. CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, family systems therapy etc. are all examples of types of psychotherapy (i.e., "talk therapy.") Here's an explanation from NIH (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies) if you'd like to fact-check.

“talk therapy” generally means some form of therapy where unstructured talking is the main therepeutic mode. nobody who knows anything about therapy would call CBT and DBT “talk therapy.”

Provide a “talk therapist” lol. Thanks but no thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Parenting therapy worked wonders. Therapies that work on actual skills (like OT) were beneficial. 1:1 coaching in sports and tutoring were great. Money for travel. Talk therapy was pretty pointless. I don’t think much of “social skills” therapy but at least a therapy group would be beneficial for interaction with other kids.

Basically - any therapy or tutoring/coaching that actually teaches a life skill, a fun activity, or provides opportunity to socialize is beneficial. 1:1 talk therapy is not.

Caveats: we never did speech therapy except in school. I can see private speech therapy being beneficial in some cases - but see above, that qualifies for “actually teaching stuff.” And the school social worker hours were beneficial as well. Not because of anything she could teach him but to have a trusted adult to decompress with if anything happened at school.

I truly do not believe any psychotherapy worked unless the person chooses it at can put in the work. That generally will only be for an older child. I guess I can see some forms of anxiety/phobia/ocd therapy working with a child old enough to understand the techniques and be motivated to do them?

"Talk therapy" can and often does work on specific skills!

Not in my experience. CBT does but that’s not “talk therapy.” And 7 year olds are too young to have their own goals to work towards anyway - they very rarely have any insight into challenges.

"Talk therapy" is a broad category of psychotherapy, which includes CBT.

Not really.

By definition, it literally is. I'm not trying to argue - I want to make sure people have an understanding of terminology so they aren't missing out on possible treatment options. Talk therapy is a colloquial term for psychotherapy, which encompasses all forms of psychological therapy. CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, family systems therapy etc. are all examples of types of psychotherapy (i.e., "talk therapy.") Here's an explanation from NIH (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies) if you'd like to fact-check.

“talk therapy” generally means some form of therapy where unstructured talking is the main therepeutic mode. nobody who knows anything about therapy would call CBT and DBT “talk therapy.”

Also a psychologist and I concur (as does NIH, posted above). But I agree that it is confusing, and many people, even some other professionals like doctors and teachers, think "talk therapy" only includes psychodynamic modalities (which I would not typically recommend for anyone).

talk therapy = zero evidence base, no real goals, therapist seems to believe that talking is literally it

CBT/DBT/ACT = therapies with research/evidentiary support that depend on much more than talking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CBT did not help for our age 8-12 child.

did anything help?

Not yet. We're trying DBT now. We are considering therapeutic programs but we're wary of the therapeutic camp/school-industrial complex.

What do you mean by therapeutic camp/school industrial complex? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Parenting therapy worked wonders. Therapies that work on actual skills (like OT) were beneficial. 1:1 coaching in sports and tutoring were great. Money for travel. Talk therapy was pretty pointless. I don’t think much of “social skills” therapy but at least a therapy group would be beneficial for interaction with other kids.

Basically - any therapy or tutoring/coaching that actually teaches a life skill, a fun activity, or provides opportunity to socialize is beneficial. 1:1 talk therapy is not.

Caveats: we never did speech therapy except in school. I can see private speech therapy being beneficial in some cases - but see above, that qualifies for “actually teaching stuff.” And the school social worker hours were beneficial as well. Not because of anything she could teach him but to have a trusted adult to decompress with if anything happened at school.

I truly do not believe any psychotherapy worked unless the person chooses it at can put in the work. That generally will only be for an older child. I guess I can see some forms of anxiety/phobia/ocd therapy working with a child old enough to understand the techniques and be motivated to do them?

"Talk therapy" can and often does work on specific skills!

Not in my experience. CBT does but that’s not “talk therapy.” And 7 year olds are too young to have their own goals to work towards anyway - they very rarely have any insight into challenges.

"Talk therapy" is a broad category of psychotherapy, which includes CBT.

Not really.

By definition, it literally is. I'm not trying to argue - I want to make sure people have an understanding of terminology so they aren't missing out on possible treatment options. Talk therapy is a colloquial term for psychotherapy, which encompasses all forms of psychological therapy. CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, family systems therapy etc. are all examples of types of psychotherapy (i.e., "talk therapy.") Here's an explanation from NIH (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies) if you'd like to fact-check.

“talk therapy” generally means some form of therapy where unstructured talking is the main therepeutic mode. nobody who knows anything about therapy would call CBT and DBT “talk therapy.”

Also a psychologist and I concur (as does NIH, posted above). But I agree that it is confusing, and many people, even some other professionals like doctors and teachers, think "talk therapy" only includes psychodynamic modalities (which I would not typically recommend for anyone).

talk therapy = zero evidence base, no real goals, therapist seems to believe that talking is literally it

CBT/DBT/ACT = therapies with research/evidentiary support that depend on much more than talking

You have two psychologists and a source from NIH contradicting you - time to consider that you might be confused about terminology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Parenting therapy worked wonders. Therapies that work on actual skills (like OT) were beneficial. 1:1 coaching in sports and tutoring were great. Money for travel. Talk therapy was pretty pointless. I don’t think much of “social skills” therapy but at least a therapy group would be beneficial for interaction with other kids.

Basically - any therapy or tutoring/coaching that actually teaches a life skill, a fun activity, or provides opportunity to socialize is beneficial. 1:1 talk therapy is not.

Caveats: we never did speech therapy except in school. I can see private speech therapy being beneficial in some cases - but see above, that qualifies for “actually teaching stuff.” And the school social worker hours were beneficial as well. Not because of anything she could teach him but to have a trusted adult to decompress with if anything happened at school.

I truly do not believe any psychotherapy worked unless the person chooses it at can put in the work. That generally will only be for an older child. I guess I can see some forms of anxiety/phobia/ocd therapy working with a child old enough to understand the techniques and be motivated to do them?

"Talk therapy" can and often does work on specific skills!

Not in my experience. CBT does but that’s not “talk therapy.” And 7 year olds are too young to have their own goals to work towards anyway - they very rarely have any insight into challenges.

"Talk therapy" is a broad category of psychotherapy, which includes CBT.

Not really.

By definition, it literally is. I'm not trying to argue - I want to make sure people have an understanding of terminology so they aren't missing out on possible treatment options. Talk therapy is a colloquial term for psychotherapy, which encompasses all forms of psychological therapy. CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, family systems therapy etc. are all examples of types of psychotherapy (i.e., "talk therapy.") Here's an explanation from NIH (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies) if you'd like to fact-check.

“talk therapy” generally means some form of therapy where unstructured talking is the main therepeutic mode. nobody who knows anything about therapy would call CBT and DBT “talk therapy.”

Also a psychologist and I concur (as does NIH, posted above). But I agree that it is confusing, and many people, even some other professionals like doctors and teachers, think "talk therapy" only includes psychodynamic modalities (which I would not typically recommend for anyone).

talk therapy = zero evidence base, no real goals, therapist seems to believe that talking is literally it

CBT/DBT/ACT = therapies with research/evidentiary support that depend on much more than talking

You have two psychologists and a source from NIH contradicting you - time to consider that you might be confused about terminology.

Anyone who gives a recommendation for your child with autism to get “talk therapy” or uses the phrase “talk therapy” in any sort of prescriptive way has zero idea what they are talking about in terms of what our kids/patients actually need. Plenty of psychologists and therapists are in fact completely uneducated about what actually works. Source: decades in therapy myself; 12 years of therapy for my kid on the spectrum; and the express views of a psychologist who actually helped my DS (as opposed to the many who just took our $$$ for “talk therapy”).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CBT did not help for our age 8-12 child.

did anything help?

Not yet. We're trying DBT now. We are considering therapeutic programs but we're wary of the therapeutic camp/school-industrial complex.

CBT depends very heavily on monitoring your own thoughts and how you relate to them. It’s hard for a lot of adults and likely very hard for most kids who are being sent to therapists by their parents and don’t necessarily see themselves as having a problem to fix. If the kid has a phobia or OCD, then CBT is likely to work better because those conditions are very cognitively based and because it is more likely the child will identify them as a problem they want to change.

I have less experience with DBT but it’s more skills-based, so I can see that working better.

Actually, the gold standard for OCD is exposure and response prevention (which is a type of CBT but not the same as general CBT).