Autism Therapy for Children in San Jose

We start by getting to know your child, not just their diagnosis, but who they are. What lights them up? What frustrates them? What sensory inputs bother them (loud noises, bright lights, certain textures)? How do they communicate when they want something or when they’re upset?

We conduct a comprehensive developmental assessment that looks at:

• Communication skills (verbal, nonverbal, or AAC device use)
• Social interaction abilities (eye contact, joint attention, peer interaction)
• Sensory sensitivities and preferences
• Emotional regulation and behavioral patterns
• Daily living skills (eating, dressing, toileting)
• Strengths and special interests we can build on

This assessment isn’t a one-time thing. As your child grows and develops, we regularly reassess to ensure therapy continues to address their most pressing needs, whether that’s preparing for kindergarten, navigating elementary school social dynamics, or building independence skills.

For many children with autism, communication is one of the biggest challenges. Some are nonverbal and need alternative ways to express themselves. Others have extensive vocabularies but struggle with the back-and-forth of conversation or understanding unspoken social rules.

We meet your child where they are:

• Social Skills Goal Setting: We practice conversation skills like taking turns, staying on topic, reading facial expressions and body language, and understanding that other people have different thoughts and feelings (theory of mind). We use play, structured activities, and real-world scenarios to make these abstract concepts concrete.
• Social skills Integration: Through play-based activities, we help children learn how to join a group, share toys, ask to play, handle losing a game, and repair friendships after conflicts. These aren’t skills that come naturally to many autistic children, but they can absolutely be learned.

Many children with autism feel emotions intensely but struggle to express or regulate them. What looks like a “tantrum” is often a meltdown, an overwhelming sensory or emotional response in which your child has temporarily lost control. Understanding the difference is crucial.

We teach children:

• How to recognize their body’s warning signs (heart racing, hands clenching, feeling hot)
• Calming strategies they can use in the moment (deep breathing, counting, movement breaks, sensory tools)
• Ways to communicate when they’re getting overwhelmed, before a meltdown happens
• How to identify triggers (too much noise, unexpected changes, feeling misunderstood)

We teach parents:

• How to spot escalation early and intervene
• The difference between a meltdown (needs calming support) and a tantrum (needs boundary holding)
• Sensory strategies that help your child regulate (weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools)
• How to create a calm-down space at home

We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) adapted for children with autism, which helps them recognize thought patterns and develop healthier responses to stress. But we always make it concrete and visual; abstract concepts don’t work for most young children with autism.

You’re with your child far more than we are. For therapy to work, you need strategies that fit your real life, not perfect theoretical scenarios.

We coach you on:

• How to give instructions your child can actually follow (short, visual, one step at a time)
• Setting up your home to reduce overwhelm (visual schedules, sensory-friendly spaces, clear routines)
• Responding to behaviors in ways that help rather than escalate
• Navigating the IEP process with San Jose Unified or your local school district
• Finding respite care and support groups in San Jose (Regional Center of the East Bay, local autism parent networks)
• Taking care of yourself, parenting a child with autism, is exhausting, and burnout is real

We provide visual schedule templates, behavior tracking tools, and social stories you can customize for your child. Between sessions, you’ll try strategies at home, and we’ll troubleshoot which ones work and which don’t. No shame, just problem-solving.

Your child doesn’t just exist in a therapy room, they live in the real world. We help you advocate for accommodations and supports in places where your child spends time.

At school: We can collaborate with teachers (with your permission) to implement classroom accommodations: preferential seating away from distractions, movement breaks, visual schedules, sensory tools at their desk, or extended time on assignments. We help you navigate IEP meetings and 504 plans, which many San Jose Unified and neighboring district families utilize.

In the community: We connect families with sensory-friendly resources in San Jose: designated quiet hours at the Children’s Discovery Museum, inclusive programs at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and autism-friendly events throughout the South Bay. We also prepare children for specific outings (like going to the dentist or trying a new restaurant) using social stories and practice.

At home: We help you create spaces that support regulation: a calm-down corner with sensory tools, visual daily schedules, clear storage systems for toys, and predictable routines that reduce anxiety.