What should parents do after an autism diagnosis before starting ABA therapy?
After an autism diagnosis, parents should first focus on understanding their child’s unique neurodevelopmental profile rather than rushing into therapy. Autism is a neurodivergence, meaning children develop communication, sensory processing, motor, and social skills differently—not incorrectly. Before starting ABA, families should seek neurodiversity-affirming providers such as speech and occupational therapists, learn how their child communicates and regulates, and create supportive environments at home and school. Prioritizing connection, felt safety, and individualized support helps autistic children build communication, confidence, and independence in a way that honors who they are.

Low support needs autistic girls are a significant underserved, underidentified, and at-risk population. Autistic girls are misunderstood and often diagnosed with anxiety, labeling them as dramatic instead of understanding their brain and how they engage with the world.

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Learn why private pay speech, feeding, occupational therapy, and AAC services are an investment—and discover grants for autistic children in Texas and nationwide.

Rachel Terrell built Rooted & Rising Therapies out of her love for supporting autistic and adhd children and teenagers. Rooted Therapies provides a child-led, play-based, and neurodiversity affirming approach. We provide sensory informed and connection-based speech therapy, feeding therapy, and occupational therapy in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas

Rejection sensitivity is common in autistic and ADHD children. Learn why it happens, how it affects emotions, and how parents can provide supportive care.

Acting out, refusing to follow directions, and preferred individualism is not defiance or bad behaviors. Neurodivergent brains can be wired for pathological demand avoidance. A nervous system response to perceived loss of autonomy sending them into fight/flight, desperate for a way out.

A parent's guide to reducing stress, supporting regulation, and honoring your autistic child’s needs during busy holiday seasons. Learn how to best accommodate your support needs, autism, adhd, or neurodivergent home during holiday and school breaks.

At Rooted Therapies, our approach is rooted in play, relationships, and respect for neurodiversity. In co-treatment sessions, we collaborate closely with occupational therapists to ensure our goals align, our interventions complement one another, and - most importantly - each child feels seen, heard, and supported.

What Is AAC? Supporting Communication for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children. Learn what AAC is, who benefits, common myths, and how neurodiversity-affirming AAC supports autistic children, GLPs, and communication autonomy.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Social Communication Therapy for Autistic Children. Discover how neurodiversity-affirming social communication therapy supports self-advocacy, connection, and authenticity—without masking or compliance. Understand the differences between social pragmatics and neurodiversity-affirming social communication therapy for autistic and neurodivergent children.

Join Rooted Therapies’ neurodiversity-affirming social communication speech groups to build language, connection, and confidence in a supportive peer setting. Rooted Therapies provides private-pay social communication speech groups designed to support neurodivergent children in a language-rich, affirming environment. Now enrolling for Rooted Therapies’ social communication speech groups—build language, friendships, and confidence in a supportive peer community.

Speech therapy for autistic children should look DIFFERENT from traditional speech therapy because autistic develop language differently. Autistic children should receive child-led, play-based, sensory support, neurodivergent affirming practices, and language therapy that aligns with their brain development.

Neurodiversity-affirming feeding therapy is not about forcing children to eat certain foods or making them “less picky.” Instead, it focuses on supporting a child’s relationship with food, honoring sensory preferences, and ensuring they have the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.

Speech therapy is a skilled service, ranging from 1-3 sessions weekly. Sessions are most often 30 minutes and include 5 minutes of family education and training.

Speech therapy where you need it.

Speech therapy to grow the whole root network. Learn how to interact, play, communicate and better understand your loved-one.