When a child receives an autism diagnosis, the work has just begun. Parents are faced with a myriad of challenges, many of which may persist across the lifespan. Social skill deficits is one of the hallmark features of the disorder. This can impair a baby’s ability to give a social smile, or an adult’s ability to obtain and maintain meaningful employment. Despite it being one of the persistent challenges and a critical area to intervene, many families and care providers, are unaware of treatment approaches focusing on social skill development and how to access or provide these types of services to the client.

In our center, we see each day how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focusing on pragmatics changes the trajectory of our clients lives and sets them up for a successful and meaningful life as an adult. On the contrary, we see how many of our clients who have an autism diagnosis, are given speech therapy and ABA through insurance, but still struggle due to poor social skills. When asked why their child does not have social skills treatment, many parents respond, “my doctor only told me about ABA”, “I can’t get a hold of the regional centers”, or “I didn’t know this type of treatment exists”.

This CHIP project seeks to demystify access to cognitive behavioral treatment for families in Los Angeles County who have children with Autism. In the fact finding and discovery process, I found the need to add an important element; bringing knowledge about treatment approaches to the primary care providers, so they can best help the client with autism and their family.