Autism Treatment Center in New Baltimore, MI

Learn more about autism spectrum disorder treatment at Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan

The impact of autism spectrum disorder can vary considerably from child to child. To best meet the specific needs of each young person, we believe that treatment for autism spectrum disorder should be a truly personalized experience. At Harbor Oaks Hospital, children ages 4-17 can receive comprehensive, customized care for autism spectrum disorder and certain co-occurring mental health challenges.

When you choose our autism spectrum disorder treatment center in New Baltimore, Michigan, for your child, one of their first activities will be to complete a thorough assessment. We’ll review their treatment history and evaluate their needs so that we can develop the personalized plan that’s right for them. The compassionate professionals with whom you and your child will work have significant experience with a broad scope of therapeutic interventions. They will provide your child with customized care within a closely monitored, highly structured, and extremely supportive environment.

Your child’s treatment team will also work closely with you to ensure that you remain an active positive presence in your child’s life throughout their time with us. Our commitment to comprehensive, personalized treatment for autism spectrum disorder includes a vibrant family support component. You will have the information and answers you need so that you can be a source of ongoing support during and after your child’s treatment for autism spectrum disorder.

Helping a child get treatment for autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex and widely misunderstood disorder. Although awareness of autism spectrum disorder has risen considerably in recent years, the general public is still exposed to substantial incorrect information. If your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, it’s important that you get reliable information from trusted individuals and organizations.

Educating yourself can be an important first step in your efforts to help a child who has autism spectrum disorder. Your family doctor, other trusted healthcare providers, local or national autism-related advocacy organizations, and reputable websites can be valuable resources.

In addition to learning about the signs, symptoms, and effects of autism spectrum disorder, you should also research the types and levels of treatment that have helped other children who are facing similar challenges. Since the impact of autism spectrum disorder can vary so widely from person to person, you will want to focus on the therapeutic interventions that appear to be most appropriate for your child.

This information will help you to identify the treatment centers that seem to be the best fit for your child. Contacting these centers will allow you to discuss your child’s specific needs and learn how each center is prepared to address them.

The staff of any reputable treatment center for children who have autism spectrum disorder should be happy to meet with you, answer all your questions, provide you with a tour of the facility, and otherwise ensure that you have the information you need.

When you are evaluating treatment centers for children who have autism spectrum disorder, be sure to note which centers offer comprehensive services, personalized treatment plans, age-appropriate programming, round-the-clock care, vibrant family support services, and similar features. There’s no such thing as one perfect treatment center for children who have autism spectrum disorder. Instead, you should focus on finding the treatment center that offers the breadth and depth of services that seem to be the best fit for your child and your family.

Before, during, and after your child’s time in treatment for autism spectrum disorder, do your best to set reasonable expectations for your child, your family, and yourself. Inpatient treatment for autism spectrum disorder may empower your child to make significant progress, but treatment is just one part of your child’s journey. Prepare for successes and setbacks along the way. The path may be challenging at times, but your unwavering love and support can make a world of difference in your child’s life.

Why consider treatment for autism spectrum disorder at Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan

Untreated autism spectrum disorder can have a profound negative impact on a child’s life. Children who need, but do not receive, effective professional treatment for autism spectrum disorder may struggle to make appropriate developmental, academic, and social progress.

Depending upon a child’s unique experience with autism spectrum disorder, they may have difficulty expressing themselves, interacting with others, understanding and properly responding to social cues, forming and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships, completing basic self-care tasks, and otherwise developing the skills and capabilities they will need to one day live a healthy independent life.

Autism spectrum disorder is not a curable condition. However, when a child receives the type and level of treatment that’s right for them, they can experience significant improvements in their skills, abilities, and overall quality of life.

Types of autism spectrum disorder treatment offered at Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan

Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan, offers a variety of treatment options to help children who have autism spectrum disorder.

Our therapeutic interventions incorporate the principles of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and other modalities as needed. All services are provided by experienced professionals who demonstrate the utmost compassion when treating the children who are entrusted to our care.

Individualized treatment is a fundamental principle at Harbor Oaks. Each child who receives care for autism spectrum disorder at our hospital will complete a thorough assessment and receive a personalized treatment plan.

Depending upon a wide range of personal factors, your child’s personalized care for autism spectrum disorder at Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan, may include the following elements:

Medication management: Having autism spectrum disorder can increase a child’s risk for anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other challenges that can be treated with medication. If your child has these needs, we can include medication management services in their personalized autism spectrum disorder treatment plan at our hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan.

Applied behavior analysis: Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is a form of therapy that has proved to be particularly beneficial for individuals who have autism spectrum disorder. ABA can help children develop a variety of skills while decreasing problematic behavior patterns. Harbor Oaks Hospital incorporates ABA principles and practices throughout our programming for children who have autism spectrum disorder.

Individual therapy: Individual therapy can be a valuable form of treatment for children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For example, individual therapy sessions can be safe and supportive environments in which children can develop and practice their coping, problem-solving, emotion regulation, and social interaction skills.

Group therapy: Groups can be vital components of inpatient treatment for children who have autism spectrum disorder. Groups can help children process their experiences, gain important information, and practice skills related to interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, socialization, coping with stress, and related topics.

Family meetings and education: At Harbor Oaks Hospital, we appreciate the valuable role that parents, guardians, and other caregivers can play during and after their child’s time in treatment for autism spectrum disorder. When you choose our autism spectrum disorder treatment center in New Baltimore, Michigan, for your child, you’ll have the information and support you need every step of the way. Our family-focused services include meetings to discuss the therapeutic process, discharge planning, and methods for improving relationships within the family unit. We also offer educational opportunities for family members so that loved ones can learn more about autism spectrum disorder.

Activity therapy: Children who are receiving treatment for autism spectrum disorder with us may engage in several types of activity therapy. Activity therapy offers dynamic, interactive opportunities for children to express their emotions, process their experiences, and view their successes and challenges from new perspectives. The following are examples of activity therapies that a child might participate in during their time in treatment for autism spectrum disorder at Harbor Oaks Hospital:

• Art therapy
• Recreational therapy

Please note that each child who receives inpatient treatment for autism spectrum disorder at our hospital follows a personalized treatment plan based upon their unique strengths, needs, and goals. Every child will not take part in every type of treatment listed above. The elements that will be included in your child’s autism spectrum disorder treatment plan will be determined solely by what’s most appropriate for them.

Continuing care and levels of treatment for autism spectrum disorder

The general goal of autism spectrum disorder treatment at Harbor Oaks Hospital is to provide each child with a personalized treatment experience that will empower them to achieve long-term progress. An essential element of this effort is our detailed discharge planning process.

The day your child starts treatment for autism spectrum disorder at our hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan, we’ll begin to prepare for their eventual discharge. This thorough process ensures that we can document their progress, identify areas of continuing need, and connect your family with the resources that will be most valuable to you after your child has transitioned out of our care.

Depending upon your child’s progress with us and continuing needs, the discharge plan may include a referral to step-down programming or traditional outpatient therapy, community-based education and support services, family support groups, and other resources. As with all aspects of your child’s autism spectrum disorder treatment at Harbor Oaks Hospital, the discharge plan will be a thoroughly customized document that is designed specifically for your child and your family.