Autism Programs for Teens
At Beachside Teen Treatment, we provide compassionate, specialized programs designed to help teens with Autism develop essential social, emotional, and life skills.
Contact us today to learn how our supportive environment can empower your teen to build essential life and social skills.
Many teens with autism struggle to find the support they need in traditional educational or therapeutic settings—often leading them to feel misunderstood or inadequate due to societal expectations. This lack of support can leave them feeling like failures, despite their potential. At Beachside Teen, our autism programs for teens are built on the foundation that every individual has the potential to succeed when provided with the appropriate support and guidance. We emphasize building positive social skills, celebrating the individual strengths of each teen, and offering diverse learning experiences to foster growth. Our ultimate goal is to help teens build confidence in their abilities, so that they achieve success.
What are Autism Programs for Teens?
Autism programs for teens are designed to support adolescents on the autism spectrum in handling the unique challenges they face. These programs integrate therapeutic and educational services to assist teenagers in developing the crucial skills needed for communication, social interactions, and daily functioning. Furthermore, they are specialized to address the specific needs of each teen by teaching ways of regulating emotions, navigating society, and coping with sensory hypersensitivity.
Additionally, autism programs for teens encourage a sense of independence and resilience. They often combine evidence-based interventions such as behavioral therapies as well as experiential strategies. Overall, the goal of these programs is to provide teens with a structured and supportive environment where they can work at their own pace and develop the life skills necessary to thrive in the outside world.
How Do I Know My Teen Needs An Autism Program?
Your teenager may be an appropriate fit for an autism program if they have difficulty with communicating effectively, interacting in social settings, or regulating their emotions. This can manifest through trouble comprehending social cues, struggling with sensory overload, or difficulty building and maintaining relationships. Furthermore, they may be hypersensitive to changes in routine—displaying frustration, outbursts, and increased anxiety in response.
Sadly, these challenges may negatively affect their overall well-being and ability to function in daily life. However, a formal treatment program can offer them the structure and support needed to improve emotional regulation and build valuable coping skills. Additionally, these programs are intended to help your teen identify and foster their unique strengths and skills, so that they can gain confidence, build a sense of self-worth, and apply these strengths to overcome challenges in both social and academic settings.
Who Do Autism Programs for Teens Help?
Beachside Teen offers treatment to those between the ages of 12 and 18. Our autism programs focus on assisting teens who are unable to live their life to its fullest potential. This may include struggling academically, withdrawing socially, seeking comfort in online activities, or displaying signs of aggression and/or self-harm.
Fortunately, our programs are designed to help those with these issues navigate the world in a way that works for them and, ultimately, find fulfillment. Our autism programs for teens can help those with the following conditions:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (both moderate- and high-functioning)
- Nonverbal Learning Deficit
- Executive Functioning Deficit
- Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder
- ADD/ADHD
- Dependence on Technology
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Resistant Behavior
- Trouble with Anger Management
- Prenatal Drug/Alcohol Exposure
How Does Beachside Teen Help Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum?
We offer several levels of comprehensive programming in order to support those on the autism spectrum throughout every step of the treatment process. Our goal is to assist teens in seamlessly transitioning through the different stages of treatment, so that they can ultimately achieve overall wellness and a firm sense of stability. The levels of care we provide are outlined below.
Residential Treatment
Also known as inpatient rehab, residential treatment allows individuals to build a strong foundation for their future in an immersive setting. There, they are able to fully focus on their own needs and goals without the distractions or triggers of the outside world. Teens in our residential programming live on-site and receive 24/7 care and support in a nurturing and safe atmosphere.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) offer individuals an intensive level of care while integrating a limited level of flexibility into treatment. Participants reside at home and typically attend sessions five days a week for the majority of the day. This type of programming is ideal as a step down from residential treatment or for those who are not comfortable living away from their home environment.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides more freedom than higher levels of care while providing more structure than traditional outpatient programs. Participants go to sessions three to five days a week for a few hours at a time. During these sessions, teens participate in a range of beneficial therapies.
Therapeutic Education Program
When teens with autism face behavioral and developmental challenges, it can interfere with their academic progress and create stress for both them and their families. Our therapeutic education program provides a compassionate and adaptive environment that supports learning while addressing the unique needs of teens with autism. This helps teens to build confidence and develop essential skills for success.
Aftercare
We are committed to the success of our clients, which is why our services do not stop when a teen’s formal treatment program concludes. Our aftercare programming continues to support teens in establishing positive habits and handling challenges as they assimilate back into daily life. This may include recommendations such as ongoing therapy, outpatient programming, or a therapeutic boarding school.
Our Evidence-Based Clinical Approaches
At Beachside Teen, we pride ourselves in offering a full suite of therapeutic services. Each modality is designed to help teens in different facets of their lives, so that they can achieve overall success and fulfillment. Evidence-based interventions offered at our Malibu-based facility include:
- Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) focus on identifying and modifying behaviors and thought patterns commonly seen in teens with autism. The goal of these therapies is to help them navigate sensory sensitivities and improve social skills.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: This therapy aims to uncover how unresolved issues impact communication and behaviors. Specifically, it explores the past encounters and unconscious thoughts that may contribute to the difficulties in social interactions and emotional regulation that are commonly associated with autism.
- Family Therapy: Involving loved ones in therapy helps them to better comprehend and support their teen and the struggles they face. It ultimately leads to a secure home environment in which teens and their family can better cope with autism related-challenges in a constructive way.
- Interpersonal Therapy: This type of therapy assists teens in building healthier relationships and communicating more effectively by teaching them better ways to engage with others and navigate interpersonal dynamics.
Experiential and holistic healing strategies also offered at Beachside Teen include:
- Equine Therapy: Equine therapy involves spending time with horses as a way to garner empathy, build confidence, and improve impulse control.
- Expressive Therapy: Music, art, and writing can all be exceptional outlets for teens with autism. It allows them to process and express their emotions in a non-traditional way that may feel more natural to them.
- Outdoor Therapy: Spending time amongst nature can help teens to reduce stress, connect with their emotions, and better self-reflect.
Our Philosophy
At Beachside Teen, our philosophy stems from the recognition that healing is most effective when it includes the whole family. We understand that teens are deeply influenced by their family dynamics, and addressing these relationships is crucial for long-term change. Our approach goes beyond treating the individual, focusing on enhancing both personal development and improving family interactions to support continued progress.
- Healing Environment & Specialized Treatment: We create a safe, therapeutic atmosphere where teens can feel vulnerable and supported by compassionate staff members who utilize innovative approaches to address their unique challenges.
- Ongoing Results: Our programs are designed to foster lasting change—with an emphasis on family reintegration and continued support for long-term growth.
- Family-Focused Care: We treat the whole family, equipping parents with effective communication strategies and helping teens develop healthy coping mechanisms to strengthen their relationship with one another.
- Tailored Treatment Plans: We provide specialized, evidence-based care as we recognize that each teen’s journey requires individualized treatment.
Tour Our Teen Treatment Programs in California
Find Autism Programs for Teens in Malibu, CA
As a parent, you want to ensure your child has the highest quality of life possible. It is natural to worry about how their autism may affect them academically, socially, or professionally. Autism programs for teens offer them the opportunity to thrive in an unconventional setting focused on meeting their individual needs. Furthermore, it prepares them to better handle their emotions and impulses so that they can continue reaching their goals long after their program has ended.
To learn more about how Beachside Teen can help or to start the enrollment process today, give us a call or visit our admissions page.
