A Guide to Autism Spectrum Treatment

Autism

Table of Contents

How to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition that requires long-term support.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, but there are many ways the disorder can affect people. Some are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled.

For many children, early detection and treatment leads to positive outcomes later in life. Treatment may help them improve communication and social skills, learn new information more easily and reduce behavior problems.

There’s no cure for autism spectrum disorder, but ongoing treatment can make the condition easier to live with. Here are some examples of treatments your doctor might recommend:

Behavioral therapy. A type of therapy called applied behavioral analysis has been shown to be effective in helping many children with autism spectrum disorder improve communication, social and other skills. It involves one-on-one time with a therapist who uses learning techniques to help your child respond appropriately in various situations.

Speech therapy. Speech therapy can help children with speech difficulties related to autism spectrum disorder improve their communication skills. The type of speech therapy recommended for an individual child depends on his or her symptoms and needs.

Treating Autism with Educational/Behavioral Interventions

Educational/Behavioral Interventions are strategies that teachers and parents can use to improve a child’s communication, learning and behavior. These strategies can be used in home, school, work and community settings to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communications skills. Children and adults with ASD may have difficulties with social interactions, communications, and repetitive behaviors. Although there is no cure for ASD, education and behavioral interventions can help to improve the skills of children and adults with ASD. Some medications may also be used to treat autism-related symptoms such as depression, seizures, attention problems, and sleep disturbances. Some people with ASD can live independently after receiving appropriate education and training. Others may require intensive support throughout their lives.

Treating Autism with Medication

Medications are used to treat specific symptoms of ASD or co-occurring conditions that tend to be common in people with ASD. For example:

Antipsychotic medications reduce hyperactivity and ease repetitive behaviors.

Antidepressants may improve mood or sleep problems and help relieve feelings of withdrawal or despair.

Stimulants may help people with ASD who have co-occurring ADHD by improving their ability to focus on tasks, listen, and ignore distractions.

Medication is often very helpful for treating these symptoms, which can interfere with daily life or cause additional problems if left untreated. However, some medications used to treat ASD do have side effects that need to be monitored.

Medication is not used to treat autism itself, but can be used to help with specific symptoms that may interfere with functioning. Medications are sometimes helpful in reducing:

  • Hyperactivity
  • Impulsivity
  • Aggression or self-injurious behavior
  • Short attention span
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Seizures

Treating Autism with Alternative Therapies

Talk therapy is a common treatment for autism, but some parents and practitioners are turning to alternative therapies to manage its symptoms.

In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been growing in popularity. CAM can include anything from acupuncture to yoga to massage, and is used as a complement or alternative to conventional treatments. It’s also being used more frequently in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Alternative therapies for autism are treatments that fall outside of the conventional medicine. Conventional medicine is what we call mainstream medicine. It includes treatments that doctors and other regulated health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, can provide.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. This is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. Autism impacts development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

One in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold over the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

Understanding Your Child’s Condition

How common is ASD?

The latest CDC estimates are that 1 in 59 children in the United States has been identified with ASD, a 15% increase from 1 in 68 children in 2012. It is also estimated that about 1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls are diagnosed with autism.

ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups but is almost five times more common among boys than among girls.

Boys are nearly five times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls, although the exact reason for this difference is unknown. Autism occurs across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, but White children are about 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than Black or Hispanic children, according to one study.

Behavior programs for ASD

Behavior programs can help individuals with ASD develop language, social and living skills. Parents often learn how to use these programs at home. The most common types of behavior programs are:

Discrete trial training (DTT). This is a very structured way to teach children with ASD. It uses rewards and physical prompts to help a child learn a new skill.

Incidental teaching. A therapist helps the child learn a new skill by using it in everyday activities. The child will be rewarded when they use the skill correctly during play or other activities.

Pivotal response treatment (PRT). PRT focuses on improving motivation, self-management and initiation skills in children with ASD.

Behavior programs for ASD fall into 2 main categories:

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA). ABA has shown some of the most reliable results in treating ASD symptoms when it starts by age 3. Programs focus on individual needs, goals and challenges. They typically include a lot of practice — about 25 hours a week for several years. The goal is to teach skills that can help increase independence later in life.

Other types of behavior therapy. There are many different types of therapy, including occupational therapy and speech therapy, that help people with ASD improve communication and social skills.

Helping Your Child with Autism Thrive

As a parent, you may not be able to control your child’s autism, but here are some things you can do to help your child thrive:

  1. Build structure into their daily routines. Having consistent routines and activities at home, school and during extracurricular activities will help them feel more secure and less anxious about what’s coming up next.
  2. Set realistic expectations for your child. You know your child better than anyone else, so be realistic about what they can handle throughout the day. If they get overwhelmed by too much noise or activity, then avoid taking them to a crowded restaurant or the mall on Saturday afternoon.
  3. Create a safe zone for your child when they become overwhelmed or anxious about something. This is a place where they can calm down and avoid overstimulation until they’re ready to rejoin their family or friends again.
  4. Rely on support groups, therapists and other resources that can help you as well as your child cope with some of the challenges of ASD.

A child who has autism spectrum disorder may have some trouble with certain social skills, communication and behavior. But with the right help and support, they can thrive.

Helping your child be as healthy as possible

It’s important to take a whole-child approach to care. In other words, all aspects of the child’s health and well-being are important. This includes:

Eating healthy and getting regular exercise. These can help your child stay at a healthy weight, improve sleep habits and feel better overall.

Managing sleep problems. Most kids with autism have trouble sleeping. The inability to sleep can lead to many problems, such as behavioral issues or depression. A sleep specialist can help address this issue.

Addressing mental health concerns. Children with autism may be more likely to suffer from depression than their peers without autism spectrum disorder. They might also have anxiety or other mental health conditions that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Monitoring for signs of seizures and other medical conditions that could affect the brain and nervous system, such as fragile X syndrome (a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability) or tuberous sclerosis (a genetic condition that causes noncancerous tumors).

Tips in Helping your child with autism

In most cases of Autism, symptoms are first observed at around 2 to 3 years of age; however, some infants show early signs from birth. If your child is displaying some of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Tips in Helping your child with autism:

  • Be on time for appointments
  • Take advantage of evidence-based treatment programs
  • Collaborate with professionals who can help you set goals for your child’s development
  • If your child has a hard time with change, try to incorporate it slowly into their routine
  • Take advantage of technology such as videos that can teach different skills and routines to your child
  • Encourage self-care activities like brushing teeth or taking a bath.

Understand Your Child’s Needs

No two people with autism are alike. They each have varying degrees of intensity in their symptoms, so it’s important to know where your child is at and what his or her needs are. For example, there are children who are non-verbal and have trouble communicating, while others have normal speech but have difficulty interacting with other people. Knowing what your child needs will help you decide on the suitable treatment for him or her.

You Are The Best Teacher

Children learn from their surroundings and from the people they interact with everyday. When your child sees that you are calm, he or she will also be calm despite having a meltdown every now and then. The best thing for you to do is to teach your child how to communicate properly instead of getting frustrated when he or she throws a tantrum.

Intervene early

There’s a lot of research showing that early intervention can help improve communication and social skills in children with autism. Some treatments may not be appropriate for very young children, but it’s likely that your child will benefit from some type of intervention as soon as he or she is diagnosed.

Learn about interventions

You can find information on interventions for autism on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) website. You can also talk to your doctor to learn more about specific treatments. And you may want to see what resources are available in your community from government agencies, private charities or nonprofit organizations. If you’re not sure where to start, your doctor or local health department may be able to help you find resources in your area.

Explore educational options

If your child has autism, he or she may need special education services at school. A team of experts — including parents, teachers and specialists — will work together to create an individualized education plan (IEP).

The following are some tips to help you become a successful advocate for your child:

  • Learn as much as you can about autism, a variety of evidence-based treatments, and educational strategies.
  • Become familiar with the resources in your community and state.
  • Know the laws that protect your child’s rights.
  • Evaluate your child’s strengths, needs, and preferences.
  • Develop an effective parent-professional partnership.
  • Identify well-informed professionals who are willing to work with parents.
  • Maintain accurate records of your child’s progress and services received.
  • Find other parents of children with autism and share information and support.
  • Join a parent advocacy organization (e.g., Autism Society of America).

In conclusion, ASD is a serious condition that can be very hard to handle. It can cause people to feel alone and have low self esteem. It can also make it difficult to interact with others in day to day life. While it is a lifelong condition there are many things that can help people overcome their daily challenges.