Let's Talk About How We Diagnose And Treat Autism Part III: Treatment of More Severe Autism
Treatment for more severe autism, Level 2 and Level 3 ASD, demands a higher intensity of clinical support, a broader team of providers, and a longer-term commitment from families. Intensive ABA therapy is the most extensively researched intervention for severe autism, with strong evidence for improvements in communication, adaptive behavior, and reduction of challenging behaviors when delivered with sufficient hours and fidelity. Psychiatric support, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and IBHS services often play complementary roles. For families navigating severe autism, the coordination of services across providers is itself a significant challenge. Autism Centers of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning for the full autism spectrum. Visit our evaluations and services page to learn more.