What it is: a structured way of teaching skills in small steps, using lots of practice and rewards that motivate the child. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs the programme and therapists deliver it, often for many hours a week.

Helps with: communication, play, self-care, learning at school, and reducing behaviours that are harmful or get in the way.

Good to know: early, intensive ABA has helped many children, including Lucca. Research reviews find benefits but call for better-quality studies. Some autistic adults criticise older, rigid forms of ABA. Good modern ABA is play-based, follows your child's interests, never uses punishment, respects distress, and works on goals that matter to your child and family.

Usually private in the UK and Portugal; widely covered by insurance in the US; covered by health plans in Brazil.

What it is: a speech and language therapist helps your child understand and use communication: words, gestures, pictures or a device.

Helps with: talking and understanding, back-and-forth conversation, social communication, and alternative ways to communicate (AAC), such as picture exchange (PECS) or a speech app on a tablet.

Good to know: using pictures or a device does not stop a child learning to speak. For many children it helps speech develop.

What it is: an occupational therapist helps your child manage everyday life: dressing, eating, toileting, writing, play and coping with the world around them.

Helps with: fine motor skills, independence, and sensory differences (sounds, textures, movement). OTs can suggest changes at home and school that make the day easier.

Good to know: practical OT for daily skills is well supported. "Sensory integration" programmes on their own have less research behind them, so ask what the goals are and how progress will be measured.

What it is: a physiotherapist works on movement, balance, strength and coordination.

Helps with: children with low muscle tone, clumsiness, delayed walking or difficulty with sport and playground games.

Good to know: not every autistic child needs it. Ask for an assessment if movement seems hard for your child.

What it is: a UK programme for parents of young autistic children. A therapist films you playing with your child and helps you notice and respond to your child's communication.

Good to know: in a UK trial of 152 young children, those whose parents did PACT still had less severe autism symptoms about six years later. It is not a cure, and children still needed other support.

What it is: the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), JASPER and similar programmes mix behavioural teaching with play and everyday routines. They are often called NDBIs (naturalistic developmental behavioural interventions).

Good to know: a large review of 130 studies found these approaches have strong support, especially for language, social communication and play. Many modern ABA services now use the same style.

What it is: a group course for parents of young autistic children, run by speech and language therapists, with video feedback at home.

Good to know: studies are encouraging, though most are small.

What it is: a National Autistic Society course for parents of children aged 5 or under, often offered free by councils after diagnosis. Typically 8 group sessions and home visits over 12 weeks.

Good to know: parents value it for understanding their child and feeling more confident. There are also versions for older children.

What it is: a relationship-based approach where parents join their child's play on the floor and follow their lead to build connection and back-and-forth interaction.

Good to know: many families enjoy it, but there are few good-quality studies. Experts advise using it alongside better-researched approaches, not on its own.

What it is: a psychologist helps with emotions, anxiety, low mood, sleep and behaviour. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) adapted for autistic children and teenagers helps many with anxiety.

Good to know: anxiety is very common in autistic children. Ask for help early, especially around school changes and the teenage years.

What it is: help from a speech therapist, OT, dietitian or psychologist for children who eat a very small range of foods.

Good to know: small, calm steps work best. Never force food. Ask your doctor to check growth and nutrition.

What it is: small groups where children or teenagers practise conversation, friendship and teamwork with a trained leader.

Good to know: the best groups build on your child's interests and teach real-life skills, rather than asking them to hide who they are.

What it is: organising spaces, tasks and the day visually so a child knows what to do, for how long, and what comes next. Widely used in schools.

Good to know: research on TEACCH as a full programme is limited, but its visual supports (schedules, Now and Next, clear routines) are useful for most children. Our free app has some of these.

What it is: a qualified music therapist uses songs, rhythm and instruments to build interaction and communication.

Good to know: study results are mixed. Many children love it, and it can be a joyful extra alongside core therapies.

What it is: therapy sessions involving dogs, horses or other animals, such as therapeutic riding.

Good to know: there is little good research so far. Some children become calmer and more motivated around animals. Treat it as an enjoyable extra, not a replacement for core therapy.