Autism – Early intervention is most effective for helping children improve their language and social skills. Most children with autism are educated in mainstream classrooms with additional support from a teaching assistant or specific materials. Other parents choose a Special School (such as KCPS) to provide a therapeutic and tailored education for their child. Professionals such as Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Psychologists can teach skills to minimize the impact of autism. 

ADHD – Some healthcare providers recommend a combination of behavioral therapy alongside medication to treat ADD and ADHD. For a child, behavioral therapies can include training parents in behavior management, classroom interventions and organizational skill support. Adults with ADHD can receive the same therapies in a non-school setting. Medication does not provide a permanent cure but it can help to relieve the symptoms. 

OCD – The options available for treatment of OCD include medication and therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has the strongest response to treating OCD. A CBT practitioner helps a client to challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors by thinking and talking about them. 

Anxiety – Some people are able to manage anxiety through self-care and lifestyle changes. However, anxiety disorders, including those related to trauma, require professional help. Talking therapies are an effective treatment because they focus on the cause of worries and fears. Therapists can teach new ways to think about a problem and better coping and problem solving skills.  

Depression – Support of family and friends helps a person in the recovery process. Self-care recommendations include healthy diet, regular exercise and pursuing personal interests. Health-care providers may offer psychological treatments such as behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), or antidepressant medication.