AUTISM THERAPY
The Therapeutic Connection
With ASD – How to Know
When It’s a Good Fit!
By Mallory GRIFFITH, MA, CCC-SLP
As a parent of someone on the spectrum (child, teen, adult), you are likely familiar
with the process of navigating a variety of services. In my office, parents of older kids
frequently recall specific therapists along their journeys who were game changers.
T
hese therapists saw inner strengths and
potential in children that had otherwise
gone unseen; they were knowledgeable
and practical; they valued children’s indi-
viduality and focused on connecting with
the child. Finding the right fit for your child
is complex! It is not a “one size fits all” mod-
el. Further, someone who might be the best fit for
your six-year-old may no longer be the best fit when
54 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 87
your child progresses to the teen years. Research
supports that the therapeutic connection (how well
the therapist and your child “get” each other) can be
the greatest predictor of favorable outcomes. When
evaluating your providers, questions you might ask
yourself include:
D
oes your therapist seem to like your child,
and does your child like your therapist? This