Treatment of Autism through a Wide Variety of Therapy Programs
Sadly, a definitive cure for autism, a disabling neurological disorder, has yet to be found. Affected children can grow up suffering from speech impairment, difficulties in social interaction, abnormal learning and an inability to enjoy many of life’s experiences which we all take for granted. It has been shown that early diagnosis and intervention can help to minimize the problem and therapies can give the unfortunate patient a certain measure of independence and show him or her how to cope.
Numerous options are available within a wide variety of therapy programs. The kind of treatment which is considered best is usually related to an individual’s specific requirements, and most experts agree that treatment should be begun no later than the age of two. Occasionally, a variety of simultaneous treatments and programs will produce optimum results, but it should be understood that the condition usually requires treatment for the entire life of the patient, and because of this time scale, the caregiver should be as flexible as possible within the chosen approach.
Generally speaking, treatments and therapy programs can be broken down into four distinct areas - behavioral, supplemental, dietary and medical. Some of these domains represent established programs, while others are still at an experimental stage, and it’s crucial to keep in mind that there are many avenues to pursue as the hunt for a cure continues.
Behavioral therapies deal with modification techniques, to assist the patient to gain job skills and to enable them to function in their environment. For example, Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, entails the teaching of skill oriented activities. Patients are rewarded as they learn fun skills and their behavior skills develop. This is a well structured system, with intensive one-to-one interaction between a child with autism and their therapist. This form of treatment is generally suggested to be the most effective, but many critics think that the approach is somewhat “robotic” and does not encourage the child to be spontaneous in adapting to the real world.
As opposed to applied behavior analysis, pivotal response therapy is considered to be more natural, taking place in a more relaxed environment, and supporters of this method believe that this approach can trigger a ripple effect to other behaviors, achieving a better all round result.
When it comes to supplemental therapies, many people with autism respond favorably to sensory stimulation. For instance, patients are often encouraged to grasp objects with a variety of textures, and occasionally, listen to music too. The Tomatis approach utilizes the playing of a loop of music, for several hours each and every day, in the hope of improving the child’s attention and concentration.
Language programs are of the utmost importance. Sometimes a program is introduced enabling patients to interact through the use of visual stimulants, such as pictures, enabling the child to communicate wants and needs through image exchange.
When it comes to dietary therapies, some professionals advocate that children with autism should be placed on special diets, basically casein or gluten free. Studies have shown that a high percentage of children with the affliction suffer from chronic gastrointestinal issues. Gluten, found in wheat products, and casein, found in milk products, are the culprits. Whilst this form of treatment calls for significant dietary control, many other experts caution against its’ effectiveness.
Medical treatments for autism include the use of vaccines and some more, particularly controversial therapies, including chelation, which involves the injection of a form of acid into the blood to remove or improve metabolic functioning. Others advocate the use of antidepressant drugs such as Prozac to treat certain behavior problems associated with autism, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or to help in controlling tantrums.
Autism is diagnosed in approximately one out of every 150 children. It is generally accepted that early diagnosis and intervention is crucial to enable the child to gain social skills, behavior skills and experience a release from isolation.
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