What developmental challenges does the ThriveGuide address?

The ThriveGuide asks questions across four areas of a child’s development: social skills, language skills, independence skills, and repetitive and ritualized behaviors. 

These areas were carefully selected as the most common areas of an autistic child’s development that parents want to focus on after diagnosis. The ThriveGuide also considers areas of a child’s development that are often overlooked, such as their environment and physical health, and how relationships can foster motivation and learning. You can read more about the core areas of the ThriveGuide below. 

As we develop, the ThriveGuide will develop too and begin to focus on other areas of a child’s development, such as vocational skills. 

Social Skills: Unlike developmental assessments, our goal is not to identify where your child is on a social skills chart but rather to dig a little deeper down to the fundamentals of social-learning that are often overlooked for autistic children. This includes language, non-verbal communications, and their social environment, which all contribute to understanding our complex social rules. 

Language Skills: We understand how much of a priority communication is for you with your child and teaching language is only one part of a bigger social-communication picture. Our aim is to bring some new insights to help you establish the kinds of relationship dynamics, physical health, and social circumstances that help develop and motivate your child’s communication.

Independence skills: Rather than focusing on specific self-help and independence skills, we explore several social and motivational conditions that can help or hinder independence. We’re looking at the foundations that have to be in place for your child’s self-motivation and self-learning to grow. We’ll also help you consider any physical challenges that relate to self-help skills.

Repetitive and ritualized behaviors: Rituals are a part of the diagnosis of autism and can be as varied and unique as every autistic individual on the spectrum is. Rituals can be seen as something to get rid of, but our approach is different. Following the most recent research, we first take a look at possible underlying triggers, like physical issues, anxiety, and the environment, that might be causing the need to do the behavior. And we don’t only consider what to do about them but how you FEEL about them.