Treatment approaches are constantly evolving as more is learned about the autism spectrum. There are many therapeutic programs, both conventional and complementary, that focus on replacing dysfunctional behaviors and developing specific skills.
As a parent, it's natural to want to do something immediately. The literature states time and time again the importance of early treatment for individuals on the autism spectrum. However, it does no good to push ahead with a treatment that is not appropriate for the individual or one that may be harmful. You also must consider the larger implications of beginning a new treatment as sudden changes or unexpected different expectations could be stressful and confusing for your child. Various treatment approaches should be investigated and information gathered concerning various options before proceeding with any child's treatment.
Parents will encounter numerous accounts from other parents about successes and failures with many of the treatment approaches mentioned. Professionals also differ in their theories of what they feel is the most successful treatment for autism. Parents must learn to sift through the information, examine options with a critical eye and make rational, educated decisions on what is appropriate given the individual circumstance. Parents live with the individual on the spectrum every day and best know his/her needs and the unique ways that autism impacts their lives. Parents must be empowered to trust their instincts as various options are explored, considered and implemented.
The descriptions of treatment approaches serve as overviews only and should always be followed with contact with qualified professionals and discussed with parents or individuals on the spectrum who have personal experiences with these approaches.
Learning/Behavioral
When families first receive a diagnosis on the autism spectrum for their son or daughter, it is not long before they are bombarded with literature that focuses on “cure” or “recovery.” For many, this goal becomes the single focus of any programming efforts. As the years progress, many families view the absence of a cure as tantamount to catastrophe. Since there is currently no known or reliably effective cure for autism, should this goal be our sole or primary focus? The desperation families feel in the absence of a cure highlights an urgent need to develop a model for successfully “living with autism” even as we pursue a model for helping individuals “recover” from autism (Carr, 2007a).
The good news is that, through carefully designed support for positive, constructive behavior (hence, the term “positive behavior support”), it is possible to repair and enhance the quality of life for people with autism and their families (Carr et al., 2002). A support model mirrors the field of general medicine in which many chronic conditions are also not curable at present. For example, people with diabetes, arthritis, AIDS, cancer and heart disease are often not cured and, yet, with support and appropriate management, they can live fulfilling lives. So, too, can people with autism and their families.
- from “Positive Behavioral Supports: Creating Meaningful Life Options for People with ASD” by Edward G. Carr, Ph.D., and Cathy L. Pratt, Ph.D, featured Volume 49 of the Autism Advocate, issue no. 4. To read the article in its entirety, click here.
Biomedical
Autism is a spectrum disorder with a variety of options for treatment for individuals across the lifespan. Professionals and families have found that a combination of approaches may be effective in treating symptoms and behaviors that make it hard for individuals with autism to function. These treatment options may include psychosocial and pharmacological interventions.
While there are no drugs, vitamins or special diets that can correct underlying neurological problems associated with autism, parents and professionals have found that some drugs used for other disorders are sometimes effective in treating some aspects of behaviors associated with autism.
Changes to diet and the addition of certain vitamins or minerals may also help with behavioral issues. For more than a decade, there have been claims by parents and some professionals that adding essential vitamins such as B6 and B12 and removing gluten and casein from a child's diet may improve digestion, allergies and sociability. Not all researchers and experts agree about whether these therapies are effective or scientifically valid.
Last updated: 24 January 2008
Understanding and Evaluating Your Options
