Autism is a disorder that is recognized in early childhood. This developmental disorder has a profound effect upon an individual’s ability to communicate. But how is autism treated? Can those who have this disorder ever functionally socialize with other people?
What are the most common autism treatments?
There are numerous treatments for autism. It’s important to remember that a child’s overall treatment plan for this disorder will be individualized. Still, there are several treatments that are quite common for autism; they include the following:
– Prescription medications - Certain medications help autism’s symptoms in some children. This is something you can discuss with your child’s doctor. He or she can help you weigh the benefits of the medications against their risks.
– Behavioural treatments - “Early intensive behavioural intervention” is a behavioural treatment in which many professionals work together to help a child with autism. A child’s family is very much involved with this type of treatment. For example, parents may receive certain training to help them understand and care for their autistic son or daughter.
“Scientific studies have demonstrated that early intensive behavioral intervention improves learning, communication, and social skills in young children with autism.” Visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment to read more about this type of therapy.
“Transition services” can help an adolescent individual with autism make a smooth transition from youth into adulthood. Read about this type of therapy at the link above.
While the above therapies are commonly used to treat autism, there are a growing number of alternative treatments being investigated for this disorder.
What alternative therapies are being used for autism?
Nutritional therapy is one of the main alternative treatments that more and more parents are administering (under the care of a doctor) to their autistic children. Nutritional therapy often includes B-12 shots, casein and gluten free diets, pancreatic enzymes, colloidal silver, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Dimethylglycine (DMG), DHA oil, aloe vera, and diets that identify and eliminate food allergies. Learn more about these therapies at http://www.healing-arts.org/children/nutritional.htm.
Some individuals have seen improvement from these nutritional therapies. Please do not administer these treatments to your child with autism without the consent of his or her doctor.
What treatments have been the most effective for your autistic child?
Is your child autistic? If your answer is yes, please leave a comment on this blog post and let us know about the therapies that have proven most effective for your son or daughter.
Sources:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/nutritional.htm
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
Let’s Talk About It
Which alternative therapies for autism do you feel are safe? Which do you feel are not?
In your opinion, are medications more effective at treating autism than behavioural treatments or vice versa? Why?
I note that the fact that most austic children are extreamly hard to feed, is not mentioned. Our son, now 41 years of age; has run the gauntlet of food previews and rejection his entire life. He lives on peanutbutter, ham, and cheese sandwiches, milk and special K cereal. He has never eaten a vegetable in his life. We have done the whole thing from hospitals to feeding clinics, needless to say with no results He is now diabetic type two over weight and in poor health. Despite fourty years of taking him to doctors they have resigned themselves to saying that there is nothing that they can do. My wife and I have never given up, yet now it seems rather stupid to punish a adult man because he will not eat his vegetables. We all laugh about things instead of crying, making life better for all.