Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Many families and individuals wonder, “Why does my child interact or communicate differently?” or “Why do I find some social situations confusing or overwhelming?”
Understanding autism can help families, educators, and individuals adapt support and strategies for a fulfilling life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people experience and interact with the world.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
ASD is a lifelong neurological and developmental condition that influences how a person communicates, relates to others, learns, and behaves.
The word “spectrum” highlights that autism presents differently in everyone—some people need significant support, while others are highly independent. With understanding and the right strategies, people with autism can lead fulfilling lives.
Types And Presentations Of Autism
Autism is called a “spectrum” because it includes a wide range of strengths and challenges. Some people may have significant difficulties with communication and daily living, while others may have average or above-average intelligence and be very independent.
The main presentations are:
- Level 1 (requiring support): May need help with social situations or planning
- Level 2 (requiring substantial support): More noticeable challenges in communication and behaviour
- Level 3 (requiring very substantial support): Significant difficulties with communication, flexibility, and daily living
Signs And Characteristics Of Autism
Signs of autism can appear as early as infancy, or become more noticeable when a child starts school. Common characteristics include:
- Difficulty with social communication
- E.g. making eye contact, understanding social cues, or holding conversations
- Repetitive behaviours
- E.g. hand-flapping, rocking, repeating words or phrases
- Strong preference for routines and sameness
- Intense interest in specific topics or objects
- Unusual responses to sensory experiences
- E.g. sensitivity to lights, sounds, textures
- Delayed language or movement skills
- Difficulty making friends or joining group play
It is worth noting that not every autistic person will show all these signs; everyone’s experience is unique.
What Causes Autism?
ASD does not have a single cause. Research suggests it results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors:
Genetics
Genetics plays a major role in ASD. Hundreds of genes have been linked to autism, and having a family member with ASD increases the likelihood of developing the condition. Heritability estimates range from 40% to 80%, meaning genes account for a large part of the risk.
Some genetic changes are inherited, while others can occur spontaneously (de novo mutations). However, not everyone with these gene changes will develop autism, and people with the same genetic changes can have very different experiences and abilities.
Environmental
Environmental influences, particularly during pregnancy and early life, can increase ASD risk, often interacting with genetic predispositions.
These include:
- Advanced parental age (especially paternal age)
- Maternal health issues during pregnancy (such as diabetes, obesity, infections, or immune activation)
- Exposure to certain medications (like valproic acid), toxins (such as heavy metals, pesticides, or air pollution), or nutritional deficiencies (like low folic acid or vitamin D)
- Complications during birth, preterm birth, or low birth weight
More than 100 environmental risk factors have been studied, but only some have shown consistent links to autism in large research reviews.
Importantly, most children exposed to these risks do not develop ASD, and these factors are believed to interact with genetic predispositions rather than act alone.
Other Influences
Epigenetic changes, where environmental factors affect how genes are turned on or off, may also play a role in ASD development.
Immune system differences, metabolic factors and sensory processing differences are being studied as possible contributors as well.
Myths About Autism
It is important to note that vaccines do not cause autism. This has been thoroughly disproven by large, well-designed studies.
Parenting style is also not a cause. Autism is a neurobiological condition, not a result of family environment or upbringing.
When To Seek Help?
Seek a professional evaluation if you notice any of these behavious:
- Delayed speech or language skills
- Lack of eye contact or response to name
- Difficulty making friends or joining in play
- Strong preference for routines or repetitive behaviours
- Unusual sensitivity to sounds, lights, or textures
Early diagnosis and support can help maximise your/ your child’s potential and improve quality of life.
How Can Us Help You?
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr.Emma Waddington, a UK-trained senior clinician psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
Autism Therapy And Support Options
Autism therapy focuses on building communication, social and daily living skills while reducing challenges like sensory sensitivity or repetitive behaviour.
Since autism is a spectrum, therapy plans are personalised, combining one or more evidence-based approaches tailored to one’s unique needs. Below are the most effective therapies used today:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Adapted for individuals with autism to manage anxiety, rigid thinking or emotional dysregulation, CBT helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and build coping strategies. Modified CBT includes more visual supports, structured sessions and caregiver involvement
Mindfulness, Yoga and Play Therapy
- Support emotional regulation, body awareness and stress reduction
- Mindfulness-based approaches show promise in improving emotional well-being
Art Therapy
- Provides a nonverbal outlet for self-expression, emotional processing and sensory exploration
- Especially helpful for those who find traditional talk therapy challenging
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
ABA is one of the most researched and established interventions for autism. It uses principles of learning and reinforcement to shape positive behaviours and reduce challenging ones. It focuses on breaking down complex skills, such as brushing teeth or asking for help, into smaller, teachable steps. It can be delivered one-on-one (e.g. Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention) or in group formats. It has been shown to improve communication, academic performance, adaptive functioning and social skills.
It must be delivered by a highly trained professional, tailored to the individual’s needs, and grounded in ethical, respectful, and consent-based practices
Social Skills Training
This targets understanding and practising social rules, nonverbal cues, conversation skills, and relationship-building. Often delivered in small groups with peer modelling and role-play, it helps individuals navigate friendships, turn-taking, emotional regulation and problem-solving. It is particularly effective for autistic children and adolescents to improve peer interaction and reduce isolation.
Speech and Language Therapy
This form of therapy supports both verbal and nonverbal communication. It focuses on language development, comprehension, articulation and pragmatic language use, to help children with limited or delayed speech improve their communication and reduce frustration.
Developmental Therapies
Such therapies focus on building emotional connection and developmental milestones through shared interaction. It includes approaches like DIR/Floortime, which uses play to build relationships and communication from the child’s interests and emotional level. It encourages child-led interaction to strengthen attention, emotional regulation and thinking skills, while building emotional reciprocity and engagement in early developmental stages.
Family-Centred Therapy
Recognising the critical role of parents and caregivers, this type of therapy involves parent coaching, emotional support, and tools to manage behaviour and strengthen connection. It encourages consistency between therapy and home life, thereby improving child outcomes and reducing caregiver stress.
Complementary Approaches
Below are some approaches used alongside core interventions to support emotional expression, regulation and engagement.
Music Therapy
- Uses rhythm and melody to promote communication, joint attention and emotional regulation
- Improves social engagement and reduces anxiety
What To Expect
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$310
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
Frequently Asked Questions About Autism
What are the 5 common signs of autism?
- Avoids eye contact
- Repeats words or movements (like hand-flapping)
- Strong preference for routines
- Difficulty understanding others’ feelings
- Unusual responses to sensory experiences
Do autistic kids live a normal life?
Yes, autistic children can live fulfilling and meaningful lives. While they may face unique challenges such as differences in communication, social interaction, or sensory processing, many autistic individuals go on to thrive in school, work, and relationships with the right support. Success looks different for everyone, and what matters most is creating an environment that supports their strengths, needs, and well-being.
Early diagnosis and therapies that focus on communication, coping skills and emotional regulation can make a significant difference.
How do I tell if I am autistic?
Autism presents differently from person to person, and some people may not realise they are autistic until later in life. Common signs include:
- Feeling different from others or struggling to “fit in” socially
- Sensitivity to sound, light or textures
- Intense focus on particular topics or routines
- Difficulty understanding social cues or small talk
- Needing time to recharge after social interaction
If these traits feel familiar, it does not necessarily mean you are autistic, but it may be worth exploring. A formal autism assessment is done by a psychologist, psychiatrist or developmental paediatrician who will look into your developmental history and current experiences.
How does a child with autism behave?
Autistic children may behave differently from their peers in ways that reflect how they experience and understand the world. Common behaviours might include:
- Repetitive movements or routines (e.g., hand-flapping or lining up toys)
- Difficulty with eye contact or sharing interests with others
- Strong preferences for sameness or predictability
- Delayed speech or challenges in back-and-forth conversation
- Sensory sensitivities (e.g., distress from loud noises or itchy clothes)
These behaviours are not “bad” or wrong; they are part of how many autistic children navigate their environment. Every child is unique, and behaviour can vary widely depending on age, support and personality.
