Autism Spectrum Disorder support in Miami Florida
Santana Mental Health Services offers ASD evaluations and individualized support for adolescents and adults, including therapy for co-occurring conditions and medication management when appropriate. Care is available in-office and via secure telehealth.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition involving differences in social communication, interaction, and repetitive or restricted behaviors. It can present in many ways, from needing significant support to going undiagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. ASD often co-occurs with ADHD, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sensory differences, and girls and women may be underdiagnosed due to masking or camouflaging.
Social communication differences
A core feature of autism is differences in social communication and connection. This may include difficulty with conversation, facial expressions, body language, social rules, turn-taking, or small talk, making interactions feel confusing, exhausting, or isolating.
Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
Many autistic individuals have intense interests, repetitive behaviors, and a strong need for routine. Changes or unexpected events can be distressing, and sensory sensitivities to noise, light, textures, or smells can significantly affect daily life.
Autism with co-occurring mental health conditions
Mental health conditions are more common in autistic individuals, including anxiety, depression, mood difficulties, suicidal thoughts, and sleep problems. These co-occurring conditions are treatable, and addressing them can significantly improve well-being and quality of life.
Autism in adults — late and missed diagnoses
Many adults are diagnosed with autism after years of feeling “different” and relying on coping strategies that can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, or relationship difficulties. An adult diagnosis can bring validation, self-understanding, and access to more appropriate support.
Autism and sensory and physical health
Many autistic individuals have sensory differences involving sounds, lights, textures, tastes, or smells. Motor coordination challenges, gastrointestinal issues, feeding difficulties, and epilepsy can also co-occur, so a comprehensive evaluation considers both physical and neurodevelopmental health.
Autism and ADHD
ADHD commonly co-occurs with autism and can add challenges with attention, organization, social communication, and sensory sensitivity. Because the two conditions can mask each other, identifying and treating both can improve daily functioning and quality of life.
When to Seek an Evaluation
Autism can look different depending on age, gender, abilities, and life circumstances. Consider scheduling an assessment if you or someone you care about experiences:
• Difficulty understanding social cues, body language, or unspoken rules
• Feeling socially exhausted after everyday interactions
• Strong need for routine, predictability, or sameness
• Significant distress when plans change unexpectedly
• Intense, focused interests that feel different from peers
• Sensory sensitivities to sounds, lights, textures, smells, or crowds
• Lifelong sense of feeling “different” or not fitting in
• Difficulty maintaining friendships, relationships, or employment despite strong abilities
• Chronic anxiety, depression, or burnout that has not fully improved with standard treatment
• Self-recognition after a child or family member is diagnosed
• Previous diagnoses that do not fully explain the challenges experienced
An evaluation can provide clarity, self-understanding, and a roadmap for meaningful support.
How Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Supported and Treated
There is no medication that treats the core features of autism, and autism itself does not need to be "cured." The goal of treatment and support is to help each person build on their strengths, develop skills, manage challenges, and address co-occurring conditions that affect quality of life. Support is personalized based on the individual's age, needs, strengths, co-occurring conditions, and personal goals.
Medication for Autism
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There are no medications that treat the core features of autism. However, medication can be very helpful for managing co-occurring conditions that significantly affect quality of life and daily functioning.
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Two medications are FDA-approved for irritability associated with ASD:
• Risperidone — an atypical antipsychotic with a large effect size for reducing irritability and aggression in children and adolescents with ASD. Common side effects include drowsiness, increased appetite, and weight gain.
• Aripiprazole — also an atypical antipsychotic, with a similarly large effect size for irritability. Side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, and extrapyramidal symptoms.
Both medications require monitoring for metabolic side effects including weight gain, blood sugar changes, and lipid changes. They are generally reserved for situations where irritability or aggression significantly impairs functioning or safety.
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When ADHD co-occurs with autism, the same medications used for ADHD in the general population can be helpful:
• Methylphenidate — effective for hyperactivity symptoms, though individuals with both ASD and ADHD may be more likely to experience side effects such as irritability and appetite loss
• Atomoxetine — a non-stimulant option with moderate effect sizes for ADHD symptoms in ASD
• Extended-release guanfacine — a non-stimulant with a large effect size for overall ADHD symptoms in ASD, though side effects including drowsiness and decreased appetite are common
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Although CBT is the first-line treatment for anxiety and depression in autistic individuals, SSRIs may be considered when therapy alone is not sufficient. It is important to note that no randomized controlled trials have specifically examined the efficacy of SSRIs for mood and anxiety symptoms in individuals with ASD, and SSRIs have not been shown to improve the restricted, repetitive behaviors of autism itself. When SSRIs are used, careful monitoring is recommended, as some autistic individuals may be more sensitive to side effects including behavioral activation.
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Sleep difficulties are common in autism, and melatonin has evidence supporting its use for improving sleep onset and total sleep time in children with ASD. In a 13-week randomized trial, prolonged-release melatonin increased total sleep time by approximately 50 minutes and decreased the time to fall asleep by approximately 38 minutes compared with placebo.
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• Medication for co-occurring conditions is most effective when combined with therapy and behavioral support
• Side effects vary by medication and should be monitored closely — metabolic monitoring is especially important with antipsychotics
• Medication decisions are always individualized and made collaboratively between the patient (or family) and provider
• Starting doses are typically low and increased gradually, with careful attention to how each individual responds
• Your provider will work with you to find the right approach based on the specific challenges, goals, and preferences involved
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For many individuals, the best outcomes come from combining therapy and behavioral support with medication when needed.
Therapy and skills-based interventions build long-term strengths and coping strategies, while medication can reduce the intensity of co-occurring symptoms — such as anxiety, irritability, ADHD, or sleep problems — making it easier to participate in therapy and daily life. Your provider will work with you to find the combination that fits your needs, goals, and preferences.
Therapy for Autism
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CBT is a first-line treatment for anxiety and depression in autistic individuals. When adapted for autism — with modifications such as more concrete language, visual supports, and involvement of parents or caregivers — CBT has shown strong results. In a randomized clinical trial of 167 children with ASD aged 6 to 13, adapted CBT was significantly more effective than treatment as usual for reducing anxiety, with a large effect size.
CBT can help autistic individuals:
• Understand and manage anxiety, worry, and low mood
• Develop coping strategies for sensory overload and stressful situations
• Identify thought patterns that contribute to distress
• Build skills for navigating social situations with less stress
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Social skills training, often delivered in a group format, helps autistic individuals learn and practice social interaction skills in a structured, supportive environment. Programs such as PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) have been studied in randomized controlled trials and show moderate improvements in social competence. These programs can help with understanding social norms, making and keeping friends, and navigating workplace interactions. Social skills training is most effective when it goes beyond teaching rules and helps individuals understand the "why" behind social expectations.
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Occupational therapy helps autistic individuals develop practical skills for daily living, manage sensory sensitivities, and improve motor coordination. For children, this may include support with fine motor skills, self-care tasks, and sensory integration. For adults, occupational therapy can focus on workplace accommodations, organizational strategies, and managing sensory environments. About two-thirds of preschool children with ASD receive occupational therapy for motor, strength, and adaptive skills.
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Speech and language therapy addresses both verbal and nonverbal communication. For some individuals, this means developing spoken language skills. For others — including those who are verbally fluent — it may focus on the social aspects of communication, such as understanding tone of voice, reading conversational cues, and expressing needs and emotions more effectively.
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For younger children, parent-mediated interventions coach parents on how to create opportunities for social engagement, shared attention, and communication during everyday activities. These approaches are relatively low-cost, can be delivered at home, and have shown improvements in social communication and ASD symptom severity. Research shows that the benefits of early parent-mediated interventions can extend into later childhood.
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For young children (typically under age 5), early intensive behavioral interventions — including naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions such as the Early Start Denver Model — can improve language, play, social communication, and cognitive skills. These programs are typically delivered 15 to 20 or more hours per week and use principles of learning within natural, play-based interactions. Meta-analyses report moderate effect sizes for IQ, adaptive skills, and language after two years of treatment.
Telehealth for Autism Evaluation and Support
Autism evaluations and follow-up care are available through secure telehealth, offering convenient access from home. Telehealth can be especially helpful for families facing long wait times, limited specialist access, or sensory challenges in clinic settings.
Book a secure telehealth appointment today and connect with a provider on a schedule that works for you.
Frequently asked questions
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
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Autism spectrum disorder is classified as a neurodevelopmental condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is not a mental illness in the traditional sense — it reflects differences in how the brain develops and processes information, particularly in the areas of social communication and sensory experience. However, autistic individuals frequently experience co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, which are very treatable. A psychiatric evaluation can help identify both autism and any co-occurring conditions that may benefit from treatment.
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Yes. A growing number of adults are being diagnosed with autism for the first time, often after years of feeling different without understanding why. Many adults — especially women and those with strong language and intellectual abilities — develop compensatory strategies that can delay diagnosis. An evaluation in adulthood typically involves a detailed developmental history, a review of current challenges, and standardized assessment tools. While there is no single test for autism, a comprehensive clinical evaluation by an experienced provider can provide a reliable diagnosis.
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No, and most autistic individuals and advocacy organizations do not view autism as something that needs to be cured. Autism is a fundamental part of how a person experiences and interacts with the world. The goal of support and treatment is not to eliminate autism but to help each person build on their strengths, develop skills, manage challenges, and treat co-occurring conditions that affect well-being. With the right support, many autistic individuals lead fulfilling, meaningful lives.
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There is no single treatment for autism — support is individualized based on each person's needs, strengths, and goals. For children, early behavioral interventions, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and parent-mediated approaches can improve communication, social skills, and adaptive functioning. For adolescents and adults, CBT adapted for autism is effective for co-occurring anxiety and depression, and social skills training can help with navigating relationships and workplace interactions. Medication may be used to manage specific co-occurring conditions such as irritability, ADHD, anxiety, or sleep problems, but no medication treats the core features of autism.
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Autism is a lifelong condition. However, with appropriate support and intervention, many individuals show significant improvement in adaptive skills, communication, and quality of life over time. Research suggests that approximately 1 in 10 children with ASD may no longer meet full diagnostic criteria by adulthood, particularly those with higher verbal and intellectual abilities who received early intervention. Even when the formal diagnosis is no longer met, many of these individuals continue to experience some social communication differences.
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This varies depending on the individual's age, needs, and goals. For young children, early intensive behavioral interventions are typically delivered over one to two years or longer. For adolescents and adults, CBT for co-occurring anxiety or depression may involve 12 to 16 sessions, and social skills training programs often run 12 to 16 weeks. Many individuals benefit from ongoing support — whether through therapy, skills coaching, or medication management — to maintain gains and adapt to new challenges across different life stages.
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Yes. Both initial evaluations and ongoing follow-up appointments are available through secure video telehealth. Research shows that telehealth methods for autism diagnosis are 80–91% accurate compared with in-person evaluation, and telehealth-delivered interventions have shown comparable effectiveness to in-person care. Telehealth can be especially helpful for reducing wait times, increasing access to specialists, and providing care in a comfortable, familiar environment.
Important Notice
This page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any mental health condition. If you are experiencing symptoms or concerns, a professional evaluation can help clarify what you may be experiencing and what treatment options may be appropriate. Santana Mental Health Services is here to offer compassionate care, guidance, and support.
Medically reviewed by: Mailyn Santana, MD, DABPN
Clinical review: Child, Adolescent, Adult & Addiction Psychiatry
Last reviewed: April 4th, 2026
Written by: Santana Mental Health Services Editorial Team
Sources: JAMA, The Lancet, American Family Physician, JAMA Network Open, Frontiers in Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, PLOS One, PLOS One
Disclaimer: Educational only; not a substitute for professional evaluation.