Autism Treatment and Intervention

Caution: No single mode of treatment is ever likely to be effective for all children and families. Intervention should be based on individual needs. But whatever you decide, keep a keen eye on the strengths a person suffering from an ASD has. Making use of this strength in a certain area is good for his or her self-confidence and self-esteem.

Discovering that your child has autism can be an overwhelming experience. For some, the diagnosis may come as a complete surprise; others may have suspected autism and tried for months or years to get an accurate diagnosis. In either case, you perhaps have many questions about how to go on.

The behaviors associated with autism can be trying to those around the autistic. The autistic child may insist on organizing the items on his or her desk in a particular manner before being able to concentrate on a lesson. Or, he or she may repeat a phrase or behavior over and over to calm down in stressful situations. There may also be instances when the autistic’s emotional reaction to a situation seems extremely disproportionate to the situation itself. Indeed, the cause of an outburst may be completely non-apparent to non-autistics.

The treatments used to lessen the signs and behaviors associated with ASDs are as varied as autistics themselves. Because so little is known about the cause of ASDs, there is still much discussion about the best way to treat them.

One thing is certain; at present there is no cure for autism. Treatments may improve behaviors and enable the autistic to better function in educational and social settings, but the disorder itself will not go away. Thus there are treatment and education approaches that may reduce some of the challenges associated with the disability. Intervention may help to lessen disruptive behaviors, and education can teach self-help skills that allow for greater independence. But just as there is no one symptom or behavior in particular that identifies autistic children, there is no single treatment. Children can learn to function within the limits of their disability, but treatment must be tailored to the child’s own behaviors and needs. 

When considering treatments for autistic children, the Autism Society of America recommends asking the following questions about treatment programs:
• Could my child be harmed by this treatment?
• If the treatment fails, how will my child and my family be affected by the failure?
• Has scientific research been conducted to validate the effectiveness of the treatment program?
• Are there specific methods used to determine the success of the treatment for my child?
• How will the treatment be integrated into my child’s current program?
• Further, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends these questions:
• What success rate does the treatment have?
• Are data available showing the percentage of children that have gone on to be mainstreamed in a regular school? How successful has the program been for other children?
• How well have those children done in a regular school setting?
• Do staff members have training and experience in working with children and adolescents with autism?
• Which methods are used to plan and organize activities?
• Will my child follow a daily schedule and certain routines?
• How much individual attention will my child receive? How many hours per day?
• Which steps are taken to measure the success of the treatment?
• Will my child’s behavior be closely observed and recorded?
• Are activities and positive reinforcements individualized to my child’s interests? Will my child be given tasks and rewards that are personally motivating?
• How are distractions minimized within the learning environment?
• Will I receive assistance to carry out the therapy at home? Will the program prepare me to continue the therapy at home?
• What costs are involved in the program?
• Where will treatment take place?
• How much time will my child be required to put into the program?

Most people agree that whatever treatment is used, it must be individualized to the autistic person. This is because of the fact that no two autistics are alike. And, since the child has his or her own personality and sets of likes and dislikes in combination with a unique set of autistic behaviors, it’s important that the child’s interests be incorporated into the treatment program so that learning remains a positive experience and the child is motivated to continue.

Because of the great variances from one autistic to another, it’s difficult to determine exactly which techniques and interactions will work best for the individual. Treatment programs needn’t be carried out separately. There may be great benefit to combining treatment methods in a manner that is most effective for your child.

1. Documenting autism-what and why
   
   You will find that you must remember more about your child with ASD than you’ve been asked to remember about any other child you’ve raised, anyone else you’ve cared for, or perhaps even yourself. In fact, it’ll be more than you can remember, so always keep good records. You never know which information you’ll need in the future.
2. Early intervention services
   
   Early intervention services . You are eligible for assistance programs which you should take advantage of, and early intervention is crucial. Children do their most rapid learning and development in their preschool years. As the family of an ASD child, you will face stresses that other families do not, so you and your family also need the support of early intervention services, and the fulfillment of seeing your ASD child succeed early. Not only is this support better for your well-being, but the happier home life that results will be better for your ASD child. You must get involved in an early intervention program. As you reach out to various support groups, this doesn’t mean you’re inadequate as a parent. You’re simply consulting with others who have more training and/or experience. Let them help you, but always be aware of who and how. Stay involved, and help them help you.
3. Most common autism treatments
   
   The most common treatments for autism are ABA; Relationship Development Intervention; Occupational, visual and auditory therapies; Sign Language; Speech Therapy; Computer Use; Toys and Stimulation; Physical Exercise and Autism, Floor Time, and Neurofeedback. All share the goals of increasing the child’s education, social, communication and living skills. Through instruction, prompts and feedback, undesirable behaviors and responses are eliminated or at least attenuated. Any treatment, or combination of treatments, must be customized to best suit the individual autistic’s needs.
4. Alternative autism treatments
   
   Alternative autism treatments. New theories are introduced frequently and it’s tempting for parents to try anything with even a remote chance of helping their children.Proving that a treatment is effective is very expensive and time consuming. Thus, there are a number of treatments which are supported by anecdotal evidence but no rigorous scientific research. These are considered “alternative autism treatments.” Some alternative treatments could prove useful to you, and others might be fraudulent, so consider them carefully. Five alternative therapies are described here: Facilitated Communication, Holding Therapy, Auditory Integration Therapy, Dolman/Delacato Method, and Snoezelen. Many treatments for autism are complementary to one another, so you may find that one or more alternative therapies can help your child.
5. Dietary interventions
   
   Besides gluten and casein, some parents report that removing corn or soy led to equal or greater improvements in their children. Because soy protein is similar to gluten and casein, some diet proponents recommend removing it if the child seems sensitive.
6. Medications used in treatment
   
   Strongly opposed by many parents of autistic children, this treatment for child autism is seen as a highly controversial subject.