ABA vs OT (therapy suggestion for high functioning 3.5 year old)
A bit new to the Autism world with my 3.5 year old daughter. She was just diagnosed in September at level two autistic. On the full evaluation, she came in at a six-year-old or speech, language, and understanding however, her main focus areas are social/emotional (also, her level of anxiety as a three year old KILLS me. She shuts down if another kid talks to her (as well as adults), absolutely will not respond. Not even to my sister-in-law or mother-in-law who we are with all the time since she’s born (she does have her select a few, such as her grandma, and her paternal grandpa who she does not stop talking to). She is in daycare three days a week and it took her two years to even talk to her daycare provider, who she tells me she loves and trusts. She just asked the provider for water for the first time, after two years.
I suppose I’m a bit confused and overwhelmed when it comes to all the different recommended therapies. OT, speech, eating, ABA, etc. We got her IEP and found an OT that we like and she’s been going once a week.
My question is: is ABA therapy “worth it” or beneficial for a high functioning toddler? Not sure if it’s a little too much or too intense for her situation? I understand how it can work wonders and other situations, such as nonverbal, etc , just not sure if the commitment of ABA would benefit her.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am so overwhelmed on this journey