Autism Spectrum Disorders

Behavioral Health Treatment for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are vulnerable to developing emotional regulation or behavioral health difficulties, such as anxiety and depression. Their challenges in understanding and responding to social interactions and environments that are complex and confusing can create significant emotional stress that requires specialized clinical intervention.

• We believe that every child and family have strengths and resources that are the building blocks for effective treatment and long-term solutions.
• We have a specialized team of clinicians, psychiatrists, and case managers who are trained in supporting children and youth with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
• The family is involved throughout the therapeutic process and is supported in relevant settings through parent education, counseling, and resource coordination.

ASD Connections at Gateway Healthcare Can Help

Children and youth between the ages of 3 and 21 are typically referred when they are having difficulty with behavioral regulation in the home and community and/or exhibiting acute symptoms of anxiety, depression, hyperarousal, social vulnerability or substance abuse problems.

For children who are experiencing significant functional impairment, treatment is designed to facilitate the child’s and family’s engagement in the therapeutic process. The Everyday Parenting (EDP) model is used, with a focus on strengthening caregiver-child relationships and behavioral parenting strategies. The model provides skills training for parents in positive behavior support, monitoring and limit setting, relationship building, proactive parenting, and shared family routines.

Gateway Healthcare has a specialized psychiatrist who works as part of our multidisciplinary team and in coordination with the child’s primary care physician. Medication management only occurs in combination with intensive in-home treatment or counseling services. 

We also work hand-in-hand with schools and other providers to coordinate treatment, including The Autism Project for social skills groups and family training and support.