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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting autism therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Autism therapy

What is Autism therapy?

Autism therapy treats the symptoms and needs of those with autism spectrum disorder. The ultimate goal of autism therapy is to improve a child's functioning and support development and learning.

How does Autism therapy work?

Often, multiple therapy types from the providers at Thriveworks in Ashland, VA are incorporated into autism therapy. Individual needs might include reducing problematic behaviors, building social skills, improving communication, and addressing emotional challenges.

Is Autism therapy conducted in person or online?

Autism therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Autism therapy last?

Every child is unique and their treatment plan with our Ashland therapists will be tailored to their specific needs, meaning the length of therapy for autism can vary. That said, most kids with autism attend autism therapy for two years.

Need more help deciding?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disorder that affects development in communication and behavior. Autism has to be diagnosed and can typically be diagnosed at any time as long as the individual receives proper testing from a medical professional. The symptoms of autism usually reveal themselves within the first two years of life and generally become more prevalent as the child ages.

Individuals with ASD have:

  • Communication and interaction difficulties
  • Limited interests and tend to repeat behaviors
  • ASD individuals typically have difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships.

Autism has a wide range of symptoms that many of the individuals face. This range is referred to as the autism spectrum. The spectrum categorizes symptoms as mild or all the way to severe. The impact can touch all backgrounds and it is a disorder that individuals will have to deal with for life. However, therapy and treatment are available to help ASD individuals lead a normal life or lessen the impact of the symptoms that they face.

Signs and Symptoms of ASD

  • Inability to make eye contact
  • Poor listening skills
  • Lack of enjoyment
  • Failure to respond or lapse in response when their name is called
  • Difficulty holding a conversation
  • Lingering one sided conversations about subjects that only interest them
  • Inability to connect nonverbal and verbal communication
  • Unique tone of voice
  • Reputative speech or actions. For instance, repeating words or phrases
  • Acute interest in topics that interest them with the ability to recant the information in detail
  • Aggravated by changes in habits or routines
  • Light sensitivity or other sensitivities to clothing, temperature, or noise
  • Disturbances in sleep patterns

Causes and Risk Factors

There is not a known cause for ASD, but there may be a genetic tie that explains its development in some individuals. Environmental impact is also known to be a contributor as well and there have been a number of research projects that to try to understand why some individuals are more prone to develop the disorder and others not. Here are some risk factors that may determine why some individuals develop ASD:

  • Sibling with ASD
  • Older parents
  • Genetic conditions such down syndrome
  • Low birth weight

Treating ASD

ASD is diagnosed by looking at an individual’s behavior and development. Screenings and tests are ordered to confirm the observations by parents, teachers, or medical professionals. Once a diagnosis is made, then all parties work together to develop a suitable treatment plan to treat the disorder. ASD is not preventable nor curable but there can be treatment methods customized for the benefit of the specific individual to help them manage the disorder on a daily basis. Many individuals who are school age utilize the support of special education teachers to help customize a learning environment for children with ASD.

With the help of a therapist, parents can help children with ASD manage their behavioral issues, social skills, and conflict resolution skills that involve positive reinforcement. Some therapists may recommend other treatment tools such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Some instances require medication. The recommendation is that children with ASD receive at least 25 hours or therapy a week.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Ashland therapists and counselors accept 4 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • United Healthcare | Optum

  • United Healthcare | Optum EAP

Self-pay costs at Ashland
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

Thriveworks Ashland has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Virginia.

4.5 Thriveworks Ashland reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Ashland is located in the same building as Ashland Internal Medicine, A16 Coding Training Institute, Primis, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, H&R Block, Commonwealth Clinic, and a USPS collection box. Nearby is a Food Lion grocery store, Best Dry Cleaners, Petco, Burkes Outlet, and Virginia ABC Store. A Truist bank is also nearby, as well as Fire & Chicken, El Azteca Ashland, and Starbucks restaurants. Across N Washington Highway is a Hardee’s and Wawa. South of the location is the intersection of N Washington Highway and England Street.

Phone number

(804) 531-3165

Languages spoken by VA providers

Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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